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| R-L: CAC Music Director, Elder Bidemi Oyesanya (SAN), CAC General Secretary, Pastor Emmanuel E. Mapur, President of CAC Nigeria & Overseas Pastor S.O. Oladele and his wife, Mrs. S.K. Oladele, Superintendent of Ebute-Meta DCC, Pastor Gbenga Adelusi and Superintendent of Amuwo-Odofin DCC, Pastor M.K. Ehinmode at the 80th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of Ebute-Metta DCC Headquarters in Lagos. |
By Oluwagbenga Bankole
From humble beginnings at the Late Pastor I. A. Odunaiya's home in 1944 to becoming a thriving ecclesiastical conglomerate with multiple assemblies across eight vibrant districts; Christ Apostolic Church, Mount of Ease, Ebute-Metta Districts' Coordinating Council (DCC), Lagos, has proudly celebrated 80 years of walking with God.
It was a joyous day of celebration and thanksgiving to God for the church's inception, born out of the revival and evangelistic efforts of the second General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Nigeria and Overseas, Prophet D. O. Babajide.
The anniversary celebrations, which began several weeks ago with various activities, culminated in a grand thanksgiving service at the cathedral in Ebute-Meta, Lagos on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
Notable attendees included, President of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele, his wife, Mrs. S.K. Oladele; General Secretary, Pastor Emmanuel E. Mapur; Regional Superintendent of CAC Akinyele Region, Pastor S. A. Adedayo; Superintendent of CAC Amuwo-Odofin DCC, Pastor M.K. Ehinmode; Special Assistant to CAC President, Pastor T. D. Asokeji and many others.
In appreciation of some foundation members of the church for their exemplary service, three of them namely, Evang. (Mrs.) Margaret Iyabo Adenusi (87 years), Pastor (Engr.) Samuel Adewole Ademakinwa (85 years) and Evang. Dr. Badejoko Adetomi Emerson (80 years) who was born in the morning of the day the assembly started, were given awards.
The atmosphere was electrified by vibrant ministrations of the church choir and the Good Women Choir. This was followed by the insightful message of the day, delivered by President of Christ Apostolic Church, Pastor S.O. Oladele.
Using Hebrews 12:1 as his text, Pastor Oladele delivered a powerful message titled 'The Christian Race' where he stressed that Christians must recognize and actively participate in their faith-driven journey throughout their earthly lives.
Pastor Oladele reminded the congregation that every life's race has its unique limitations, saying that "we all face specific challenges. Remember, you can't be tempted beyond your faith, life's difficulties are temporary; we are passing through, don't compare yourself with others and what matters most is the faithfulness you invest in your Christian walk."
The President also said that life's race is characterised by intense activities, explaining that the gate of hell may arise, but Christians must not give up, rather continue in the race.
The cleric stated that every race is characterised by brevity, describing that "the race is very brief. When you look at life in prospect you will think you have a long life , but when you look at life in retrospect you will see that life is very short. We are gradually nearing, very soon we will meet with our Lord Jesus Christ."
He added that, "there are different hours in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and one of them is hour of darkness. It's just a matter of time if darkness is all over you. We are being surrounded by cloud of witnesses of those who have passed through what we are passing through presently."
Pastor Oladele encouraged CAC Ebute-Meta to continue on the christian race, asking what next after 80th anniversary.
Earlier in his welcome address, the DCC Superintendent of CAC Ebute-Metta DCC, Pastor Gbenga Adelusi said the Church which was founded through the great revival meetings conducted by the 2nd General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church, Prophet D. O. Babajide of blessed memory in 1944 has grown to become an ecclesiastical conglomerate with many branches under 8 prolific Districts.
He noted that this is beside the many Districts, Zones/DCC that had emanated from the Assembly.
He added that; "for the fact that God, the Owner and Builder of His Church has sustained this Church by His Power for the past 80 years, it behoves us to roll out the drums in ecstasy of joy to give thanks and praises to God for the great things He has done, for what He's doing right now, and for greater things that He will still do."
According to him, "C.A.C Ebute Metta as the Church is fondly called by all has undergone and experienced so many crisis and turbulent periods, but Jesus Christ who has promised that the gate of hell would not prevail against His Church has upheld her according to His Word, and the Church keeps marching on."
"This Anniversary which marks an epoch in the annals of this Church is premised, 'inta alia' on three major things: one, to lift up our 'Ebenezer', for hither to the Lord has helped us (I Samuel 7:12). Two, to revive and refire in order to move forward and expand God's Kingdom and three, to remodel our Church Auditorium which has come of age. The present church Auditorium was dedicated in 1978 by the 3rd President of Christ Apostolic Church Late Pastor E. T. Latunde, of blessed memory," he continued.
"By the leading of the Holy Spirit, we have envisioned a new structure that will comprise the main church auditorium, a car park, a Vicarage, a Faith Home, English Assembly Auditorium, Teenagers church, Events Hall, a Library, Administrative offices, Children Church, conveniences and store rooms. This is a humongous project that is estimated to cost about #750 million or more, but we believe that our God who owns silver and gold is able to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory to accomplish this proposed project.We need the Spiritual and Financial Support of all and sundry to fulfil this big dream. We know that the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do it (Haggai 2:8-9; Isaiah 9:7, Philippians 4:19, Luke 1:37, Matthew 19:26)," Pastor Adelusi stated.
In his address, the Chairman, 80th Anniversary Planning Committee, Elder Bidemi Oyesanya (SAN) while appreciating God for the anniversary, said he was Secretary of the Planning Committee 30 years ago when the Church turned 50 and God has spared his life to be Chairman when she turned 80.
Elder Oyesanya, who also the Music Director of CAC Nigeria and Overseas said;"I want to specially thank all members of the main Anniversary Planning Committee, especially the subs committees who initiated, planned and executed the several programmes that we have embarked upon since April, 2024 up until the week ending yesterday. Some of the programmes included medical outreach, quarterly revivals, Evening of thanksgiving, Community Hymn singing, 5-hour praise Appreciation Sunday (in which we invited and appreciated the families of all the Pastors who have been Ministers-in-charge of this Church since 1944 and the ones who are still alive, namely Pastor DOA Oloye, Pastor P.K Bankole, Pastor Anu Ojo, Pastor S.O. Owolabi, Pastor M.K. Ehinmode and Pastor Olu Aina."
"The last of the programmes was a power-packed 3-day revival crusade conducted by our father in the Lord, the fire-brand Prophet Hezekiah Oladeji, the General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas. We are all still basking in the glory and blessings released from heaven in those three powerful days.
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