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| Pastor Lawrence O. Akinloye |
The DCC Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, Ikorodu Districts Coordinating Council (DCC), Pastor Lawrence O. Akinloye in this exclusive interview with 'Gbenga Bankole speaks on the 50th anniversary of Ikorodu DCC headquarters and other interesting issues.
What is the reason behind the 50years anniversary the church is about to celebrate?
To God be the glory for His grace over His church. We are celebrating the 50th anniversary to mark the year the church was planted or started through Late Pastor Omokagbor and Pastor Olutimehin, former General Superintendent of CAC, Worldwide. Pastor Omokagbor was the first minister in this church. The church started from Agah in Ikorodu before it was moved here in Benson, Ikorodu and we thank God that the church is now 50years. God has indeed helped the church to perform her duties over the years. God has used a lot of Generals to raise the church till this present time. God used people like Pastor Omokagbor, Pastor Bankole, Pastor Obafemi, Pastor Folaju, Pastor Babatola and many others. Pastor Olutimehin work with Pastor Omokagbor when he received the vision to plant this church. I thank God for transforming the church to this present level. This church has produced great and reputable men and women.
What is the theme of the 50th anniversary?
The theme of the anniversary is “Beginning of New Glory.”
What is the new beginning God expects from us and His church at large?
He expects us to always remember that He’s coming very soon and we must all go out to preach the gospel for the kingdom of God. We must let new things that would make the gospel of Christ to expand spring forth in our midst.
What did God told you about the theme?
God has started a new thing in His church. What God is doing in His not only spiritual, there are physical things that all eyes can see. For example, we have changed the roofing of the church and all the chairs to more befitting and beautiful chairs. We have bought land for our English Assembly and we are planning for the foundation laying which is to commemorate the 50th anniversary. The foundation laying would be done by the President of CAC Worldwide, Pastor Abraham O. Akinosun on Saturday, November 9th, while the grand finale of the 50th anniversary holds on Sunday November 10th, 2019.
Tell us some of the activities lined up to commemorate the 50th anniversary?
We have already started with Commencement Service/ Praise and Worship programme which was held on Sunday October 27, 2019. We also held a revival from Monday 28th October to Friday November 1st, 2019, while a Symposium was held on Saturday October 2nd, 2019.
A prayer programme will hold on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th, November, 2019 from 5pm to 7pm, while Retirement Service holds on Wednesday 6th November, 2019 from 5pm to 7pm. The church will embark on a visit to the orphanage on Thursday 7th November, 2019 by 10am.
Health Walk for Fitness programme holds on Friday 8th November, 2019 from 6:30 to 8:30am. On the same day, the church will be led by the President of CAC Worldwide, Pastor Abraham O. Akinosun to pay courtesy visit to His Excellency, Governor of Lagos State, Gov. Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
Two important events are lined up for Saturday November 9, 2019 which are foundation laying of the English Assembly and Finals of the Anniversary Football Tournament.
The grand finale of the Golden Jubilee is slated for Sunday November 10, 2019 with the presence of the Principal Officers of CAC Worldwide.
We planned to give ministers who have previously worked here “Award of Excellence.” The families of some of them who have slept in the Lord would receive the award on their behalf. We are holding three weeks revival to mark the anniversary.
We have organised a football competition for youths in our DCC. The competition involves all Districts under Ikorodu DCC and the final would hold on Saturday November, 9, 2019. The competition, by God’s grace would be annual event and we are hoping it would extend to Akinyele Region.
What are the projects that would be commissioned or dedicated to mark the anniversary?
We are laying the foundation of our English Assembly worship centre. The foundation laying would be done by the President of CAC Worldwide, Pastor Abraham O. Akinosun on Saturday, November 9th, 2019. Our English Assembly currently holds their services at the DCC headquarters. They will move to their worship centre after completion.
Tell us some of those this church has produced since the last 50years
This church has produced many ministers of God who has grown to become DCC and Zonal Superintendents in CAC. One of them is the Zonal Superintendent of Life and Power Zone, Pastor Mich ‘Tunji Oladapo who was formerly a Choir Master in this church. Others are retired Zonal Superintendent of Light of the World Zone, Pastor B. Wajero, Zonal Superintendent of Restoration Zone, Pastor S.A.A. Gbelee, Zonal Superintendents of Ayomipo Zone, Ondo State, Pastor M.O. Mojuba and many others. We have also produced people who have started their ministries and now they are General Overseers. This church has also produced gospel singers like Evang. DunniOlarewaju popularly known as “Opelope Anointing”, Evang. Moboluwaji and others.
Personally, what does the 50th anniversary means to you?
To me the 50th anniversary is to show appreciation to God for His goodness as it is established in the scripture. Jubilee celebration is a year of showing kindness and starting a new thing without relenting in preaching the gospel of Christ. Like same way CAC Worldwide celebrated 100 years last year, we are also celebrating 50 years.
There has being a prophecy that end-time revival will starts in CAC. But considering the happenings in some of our assemblies in CAC, is there any sign that the revival will still start in CAC?
It is when there is ungodly attitude that revival would come. Without it there may not be need for revival. Thing that are not glorifying God that is happening in CAC today is telling us that we need revival which will put an end to them. It was when people are worshipping idol and still coming to church that God raised Apostle Babalola. And the emergence of Babalola put an end to those things and CAC was birthed. Though we are expecting the end-time revival, but I think that God has started it.
This day some churches are no longer interested in evangelism like the days of old? What is the cause and the solution?
We need to pray that God should return the spirit and passion of the defunct “Light of the World Society” to Christ Apostolic Church. The name “Light of the World Society” and the wonderful work God did through them cannot be removed from the history of CAC. The churches planted by “Light of the World Society” are what CAC is relying on today. There were nothing like planters those and it really helped in planting many assemblies in CAC. This day what some ministers of God are after is money, fame and position, not passion for evangelism like “Light of the World Society.” We need to pray that God should return the spirit of “Light of the World Society” to CAC.
What is your advice to government at all levels?
My advice to them is that they should take security of lives and properties very serious. We are not known to be a country that secures lives and properties and that is what is affecting Nigerians in South Africa. South Africans know that we are weak in protecting lives of our people. Governments at all levels should take protection of lives and properties very serious. President Buhari needs to work on how to end Boko Haram, kidnapping and other atrocities in Nigeria. Government should also build good roads and provide quality water. They should also work on giving us stable electricity supply.
What is the reason behind the 50th anniversary the church is about to celebrate?
To God be the glory for His grace over His church. We are celebrating the 50th anniversary to mark the year the church was planted or started through Late Pastor Omokagbor and Pastor Olutimehin, former General Superintendent of CAC, Worldwide. Pastor Omokagbor was the first minister in this church. The church started from Agah in Ikorodu before it was moved here in Benson, Ikorodu and we thank God that the church is now 50 years old. God has indeed helped the church to perform her duties over the years. God has used a lot of Generals to raise the church till this present time. God used people like Pastor Omokagbor, Pastor Bankole, Pastor Obafemi, Pastor Folaju, Pastor Babatola and many others. Pastor Olutimehin worked with Pastor Omokagbor when he received the vision to plant this church. I thank God for taking the church to this present level. This church has produced great and reputable men and women.
What is the theme of the 50th anniversary celebration?
The theme of the anniversary is “Beginning of New Glory.”
What is the new beginning God expects from us and His church at large?
He expects us to always remember that He’s coming very soon and we must all go out to preach the gospel for the kingdom of God. We must let new things that would make the gospel of Christ to expand spring forth in our midst.
What did God tell you about the theme?
God has started a new thing in His church. What God is doing in not only spiritual, there are physical things that all eyes can see. For example, we have changed the roofing of the church and all the chairs to more befitting and beautiful chairs. We have bought land for our English Assembly and we are planning for the foundation laying which is to commemorate the 50th anniversary. The foundation laying would be done by the President of CAC Worldwide, Pastor Abraham O. Akinosun on Saturday, November 9 while the grand finale of the 50th anniversary holds on Sunday November 10, 2019.
Tell us some of the activities lined up to commemorate the 50th anniversary?
We have already started with Commencement Service/Praise and Worship programme which was held on Sunday October 27, 2019. We also held a revival from Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November, 2019, while a Symposium was held on Saturday October 2, 2019.
A prayer programme will hold on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th November, 2019 from 5pm to 7pm, while Retirement Service holds on Wednesday 6th November, 2019 from 5pm to 7pm. The church will embark on a visit to the orphanage on Thursday 7th November, 2019 by 10am.
Health Walk for Fitness programme holds on Friday 8th November, 2019 from 6:30 to 8:30am. On the same day, the church will be led by the President of CAC Worldwide, Pastor Abraham O. Akinosun to pay a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Governor of Lagos State, Gov. Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
Two important events are lined up for Saturday November 9, 2019 which are foundation laying of the English Assembly and Finals of the Anniversary Football Tournament.
The grand finale of the Golden Jubilee is slated for Sunday November 10, 2019 with the presence of the Principal Officers of CAC Worldwide.
We planned to give ministers who have previously worked here “Awards of Excellence.” The families of some of them who have slept in the Lord will receive the awards on their behalf. We are holding three weeks of revival to mark the anniversary.
We have organised a football competition for youths in our DCC. The competition involves all Districts under Ikorodu DCC and the final will hold on Saturday November 9, 2019. The competition, by God’s grace will be an annual event and we are hoping it will extend to Akinyele Region.
What are the projects that will be commissioned or dedicated to mark the anniversary?
We are laying the foundation of our English Assembly worship centre. The foundation laying will be done by the President of CAC Worldwide, Pastor Abraham O. Akinosun on Saturday, November 9, 2019. Our English Assembly currently holds their services at the DCC headquarters. They will move to their worship centre after completion.
Tell us some of those this church has produced since the last 50 years
This church has produced many ministers of God who have grown to become DCC and Zonal Superintendents in CAC. One of them is the Zonal Superintendent of Life and Power Zone, Pastor Mich ‘Tunji Oladapo who was formerly a Choirmaster in this church. Others are retired Zonal Superintendent of Light of the World Zone, Pastor B. Wajero, Retired Zonal Superintendent of Restoration Zone, Pastor S.A O. Gbelee, Zonal Superintendent of Ayomipo Zone, Ondo State, Pastor M.O. Mojuba and many others. We have also produced people who have started their ministries and now they are General Overseers. This church has also produced gospel singers like Evang. Dunni Olarewaju popularly known as “Opelope Anointing”, Evang. Moboluwaji and others.
Personally, what does the 50th anniversary mean to you?
To me the 50th anniversary is to show appreciation to God for His goodness as it is established in the scripture. Jubilee celebration is a year of showing kindness and starting a new thing without relenting in preaching the gospel of Christ. Like same way CAC Worldwide celebrated 100 years last year, we are also celebrating 50 years.
There has been a prophecy that end-time revival will start in CAC. But considering the happenings in some of our assemblies in CAC, is there any sign that the revival will still start in CAC?
It is when there is ungodly attitude that revival would come. Without it there may not be need for revival. The presence of things that are not glorifying God happening in CAC today is telling us that we need revival which will put an end to them. It was when people are worshipping idols and still coming to church that God raised Apostle Babalola. And the emergence of Babalola put an end to those things and CAC was birthed. Though we are expecting the end-time revival, I think that God has started it.
These days some churches are no longer interested in evangelism like the days of old. What is the cause and the solution?
We need to pray that God should return the spirit and passion of the defunct “Light of the World Society” to Christ Apostolic Church. The name “Light of the World Society” and the wonderful work God did through them cannot be removed from the history of CAC. The churches planted by “Light of the World Society” are what CAC is relying on today. There were nothing like planters those days and it really helped in planting many assemblies in CAC. These days what some ministers of God are after is money, fame and position, not passion for evangelism like “Light of the World Society.” We need to pray that God should return the spirit of “Light of the World Society” to CAC.
What is your advice to government at all levels?
My advice to them is that they should take security of lives and properties very serious. We are not known to be a country that secures lives and properties and that is what is affecting Nigerians in South Africa. South Africans know that we are weak in protecting the lives of our people. Governments at all levels should take protection of lives and properties very serious. President Buhari needs to work on how to end Boko Haram, kidnapping and other atrocities in Nigeria. Government should also build good roads and provide quality water. They should also work on giving us stable electricity supply.
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