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By Oluwagbenga Bankole
Sunday August 11, 2024 will go down in the history of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Ibukun, Yaba Districts' Coordinating Council (DCC) as the day the enemy of the church, the devil was put to shame and God restored peace between the church, her immediate past Superintendent, Pastor Gideon O. Oladokun and four other pastors.
The four other pastors are Pastor Segun Adediran, Pastor Samuel Alo, Pastor Testimony Adekola and Pastor Solomon Okeleye who worked with Pastor Oladokun while he was the Superintendent of CAC Yaba DCC headquarters, Lagos.
It may be recalled that in 2016/2017, a disagreement arose between the Pastorate and the church, resulting in the church authority transferring all the pastors. This reunion and peace service marks a significant milestone in healing and unity.
The Regional Superintendent of CAC Akinyele Region, Pastor S.A. Adedayo, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the DCC Superintendent of CAC Yaba DCC, Pastor S.E.A. Oludare, the Pastorate, Board of Elders, and the entire membership of CAC Yaba for their collective efforts in making the reunion and peace service a resounding success.
Pastor Adedayo, who offered prayers for Pastor Oladokun and the four other pastors, reminisced about his meeting with a member of CAC Yaba in October 2023. During their conversation, he had specifically instructed the individual to facilitate a reunion and peace service like the one being held, demonstrating his foresight and vision for unity.
The DCC Superintendent of Yaba DCC, affectionately known as Pastor SEA, declared the day a landmark moment in CAC Yaba's history. He highlighted the significance of reuniting with five former ministers who, due to circumstances, departed from the church in 2016/2017, and were now warmly welcomed back with the reunion and peace service.
"There's always time for everything. This is the time the Lord has made, and it's unfolding marvelously before our eyes. Over the past eight years, I and the five Pastors have met in various fora, never once engaging in conflict or argument. We've practiced Christianity and brotherly love, fostering open relationships. Although the 2016 incident still resonates in our hearts, today we gather by God's grace to lay to rest the lingering emotions and secrets, promoting healing and unity among members and pastors," Pastor SEA stated.
The Clergyman added, 'When I was transferred here on March 1st, 2017, the church authority gave me a clear directive: "We don't want to hear any noise from CAC Yaba." Eight years later, they will indeed hear noise, but it's a noise of joy, celebration, and peace.'"
While delivering the Reunion Speech earlier in the programme on behalf of CAC Yaba, Elder Gbade Akinrinmade said life is full of challenges and we see things from different perspectives.
He further illustrated, "if I write the number six on a leaflet and show it to people, some will see six, while others will see nine when I turn it upside down. This analogy reflects life's duality. In every aspect of life, conflicts and challenges are inevitable, but it's our ability to resolve them that defines us as good Christians.'"
Elder Akinrinmade, referencing Ephesians 4:31-32 and Romans 12:18, urged the congregation to prioritize peace, emphasizing that life is transient. He encouraged them to let go of things that don't truly matter, saying, 'Nothing should hinder Christians from pursuing peace, as holding onto the insignificant can be detrimental.'"
He concluded: "to attain heaven, we must strive to live in harmony with one another. Let us appreciate the gift of life, for if we had passed on, what account would we have given to God?"
Pastor Oladokun, currently the DCC Superintendent of CAC Itire DCC, Lagos, shared a personal experience during his message on 'Joy' at the programme. He recounted a dream where an aircraft was about to crash, and he pleaded with God to spare it, considering the church members who regularly flew. The church prayed about the dream, but Pastor Oladokun only later realized the connection of the dream to his ministerial journey in CAC Yaba.
Pastor Oladokun, who categorically said he's still part and parcel of CAC Yaba said he has always advocated for the church to be given her rightful place in Christ Apostolic Church.
He shared his heartwarming encounter with Yaba members during his June-July vacation in the UK. He recounted how he met some members of CAC Yaba in Scotland and they were very happy to see him.
"I was thrilled to see the meticulously written letter from Yaba, inviting me to this service. I thank God for the Pastors with whom I worked. I believe it's God's plan. After they left, two became District Superintendents, and two others are doing well. You've brought goodness into my life, and for that, I'm thankful. While life may be a mix of both positive and negative, I'm focused on the goodness and grateful to God. I want to express my appreciation to Pastor Oludare – it's a testament to your exceptional ministerial service that you're the one doing this," Pastor Oladokun stated.
In his message titled "Joy" taking his text from Luke 2:10-11, Pastor Oladokun noted that the coming of Christ to the world was proclaimed as joy to the world and Jesus comes into any life, the life would be full of good news.
According to him, because Jesus Christ has deposited joy in all His believers, the happiest people in the world are Christians, adding that if anyone can't find joy in Christ, he or she can't find it anywhere in the world.
Quoting Galatians 5:22, the Cleric opined that one of the proofs of one's regeneration is the ability to bear fruit of the spirit which one of them is joy.
"If joy is not flowing in your heart, it means a part of your Christian heritage has been taken away. Immediately we give our lives to Christ, the joy of the Lord will come in. One may not have anything, but it's not joy after accepting Christ," he stated.
He said that it takes joy to enjoy the full benefit salvation in our lives, adding that joy grant unlimited access into the deep things of God and boost one's physical health.
Pastor Oladokun and other four pastors prayed powerfully for the church. The service ended with cash presentation to all the five Pastors and group photograph session. The service had in attendance family of Pastor Oladokun, some Elders and Deaconesses of CAC Itire and family members of other ministers.
Photo Speaks !
