By ‘Gbenga Bankole
Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide on Monday April 1, 2019
held an inaugural service for pastoral ordination candidates at Babalola
International Memorial Camp, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun state.
Over 1700 candidates were present for the inaugural service
of the training which will run from now till December, 2019 at Ikeji-Arakeji.
Some of the lecturers confirmed for the training are Provost, CAC Theological
Seminary, Pastor S.O.A. Afolabi, Coordinator of CAC Theological Seminary, Lagos
Campus, Pastor Ayo Olaniyi, Coordinator, CAC Theological Seminary, Ibadan,
Pastor S.O. Ajayi, Director of Sunday School, CAC Worldwide, Pastor S.O. Aluko,
DCC Superintendent, Ijebu DCC, Pastor C.S.A. Balogun and Calvary DCC
Superintendent, Pastor M.K. Ehinmode among others.
The President of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Pastor
Abraham O. Akinosun while delivering his speech on the topic “Cost of Discipleship”
charged the pastoral candidates to be good disciples of Christ and emulate Him
in all their doings.
He noted that the life of Christ provides the pattern from
which a minister can begin to understand the nature of his or her life and
calling, adding that to be called a disciple of Christ is both an honour and a
privilege because it is not every man that has this opportunity.
Pastor Akinosun further stated that Jesus’ method of
choosing His Disciples was unique and divine as God did in Old Testament,
stating that He chose to employ those that were considered by human beings to
be unworthy, the lowly in estate and sometimes the poor.
He added that; “This is a call to the highest post of honour,
that is, to become His servant, His hireling or a minister of God. For
instance, in the Old Testament, Gideon was fetched from threshing wheat (Judges
6:11), Saul from seeking the lost asses of his father (I Sam. 9:3), and David
from keeping the sheep (I Samuel 16:11).”
The Cleric stated that the treasure of the gospel is put
into earthen vessels, and the weak and foolish ones of the world are picked to
be preachers of it, to confound the wise and mighty (1 Cor. 1:27, 28), that the
Excellency of the power may be of God, and all may see that promotion comes
from Him.
Costs of discipleship according to him involves obedience,
fervent prayer, holiness, discipline and suffering.
“God needs simply obedience from you in simply do what He
asks you to do according to the Scriptures and to abstain from what He asks you
not to do as written in the Scriptures is a serious issue. This at times
involves forgoing ones right, counting those things seem as gain worthless
because of Christ’ sake as God would direct. Learn obedience, learn endurance,
and learn humility. If you are able to so learn, the sky won’t be able to limit
you and you will not make shipwreck of ministry.”
“Pray more for godly character and power than praying for
riches. When you are empowered, then you will be able to do great exploits for
God. His power remains. Just be an obedient servant of God. According to our
text Jesus asked the second person he called to leave things of the world and
follow him, leave them let them bury their dead. Today many servants of the
Lord have been carried away by worldly
activities rather than devote their time for prayer. Paul admonished us to
“pray continually; 18 give thanks in all
circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
“Jesus taught the importance of discipline very clearly in
the Bible. When Christ noted that worldly things had occupied the hearts of His
disciples, He warned them strongly to be contented with their daily bread and
not to look for wealth by all means because that will definitely make them to derail from God’s purpose for their lives.
He then said that whosoever wants to follow him should forsake his father,
mother, sisters, and all things and take his cross and follow Him. “If anyone
comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his
brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.”
“This called for life of perseverance, endurance,
faithfulness, purity and all other restrictions as a person who wants to follow
Jesus wholeheartedly. The trainees of today are chosen likewise. Jesus called
people from nothing not only to be His disciples, but to be partners with Him
in the course of His redemptive mission to the whole world. Count it a joy
therefore that you received this glorious call into the ministry. As those who
have been called before did not fail Him so also do not fail Him. He has called
you to be role models like Joseph, Peter, Joseph Ayo Babalola, Isaac Akinyele
and a host of other saints triumphant,” Pastor Akinosun noted.
While delivering his speech, the Chairman of the pastoral
ordination committee, Pastor E.S. Famiyide thanked God in the life of Pastor
Akinosun for lifting the embargo on ordination of pastoral ordination, promising
that the committee will not disappoint the church.
Pastor Famuyide told the candidates that attendance is not
only important, but imperative.
He noted at the end of the semester all the candidates will
write a test, but their first test is their attendance.
Photo Speaks !
