By 'Gbenga Bankole
The Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, Amuwo-Odofin Districts' Coordinator Council (DCC), Festac Lagos, Pastor Joe Jacobs clocks another year today Wednesday March 21, 2022.
Good leaders are trailblazers, making a path for others to follow. Great leaders, however, inspire their people to reach higher, dream bigger, and achieve greater. Perhaps the most important leadership skill you can develop is the ability to provide inspiration to your team. If you inspire them to reach for the stars, they just might bring you back the moon.
Pastor Joe Jacobs belongs to the generation of ministers who through their overwhelming impacts have produced leaders of integrity for the body of Christ.
His Biography
Pastor Sunday Joe Jacobs was born close to fifty-four years ago at Ara-Ekiti, to his father (at his old age), who was one of the followers the CAC General Evangelist, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola (of blessed memory), a prophet and evangelist by calling who was given to voluntary poverty, itinerant revival, evangelism and church planting, Prophet J. P. Jacobs who rested in the LORD in 1983. At age seven (7), he lost his very caring mother, Mrs. Phabian Jacobs who was just twenty-nine (29) years old. This young motherless boy started his 'training sessions' with challenges at such an early stage in life. He is the second born but the first son of the four (4) children of his mother, all of who were born in different ministerial fields, and all of who are as well vitally committed to the work of the ministry today.
At age twelve, during an evangelistic crusade by his father, the late Prophet J. P. Jacobs who spoke extensively about the divinity and power of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and the need to believe on Him for salvation, young Joe gave his life to Jesus Christ and ever since then he has remained in Him. He was his father's strong follower till the latter rested in the LORD in 1983. His ministerial preparations came in phases via the Scripture Union, Deeper Life Bible Church, Christ Apostolic Church and Foursquare Gospel Church. He is an Associate Member of the Nigeria Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES), the Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS) and the Nigeria Christian Corpers' Fellowship (NCCF) where he was privileged to have served at their peaks. Apart from a good Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA academic), as a valedictorian, he has a first class Bachelor (B.TH) degree in Theology (Biblical Studies/Pastoral Ministries) from the famous LIFE Theological Seminary in West Africa, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria.
Brother Joe met his heartthrob, Sister 'Funmi in 1993. Their beautiful courtship culminated into a holy wedlock in 1995 at CAC Olorunsogo, Mushin, Lagos. She is a true disciple of Jesus Christ, a linguist, an author, a proof-reader/editor and an administrator by training; and a teacher and spiritual singer by calling with four (4) gospel musical albums of global standard to her credit all to the glory of God, as at today. Her debut spiritual prose titled "of VIRTUES and ADDITIONS" is due for presentation on her next birthday, Saturday 26 prime prime January, 2019. The union of this amiable couple though full of sepulchral challenges and delays in the beginning is today blessed with godly offspring. This is a proof of God's unfailing presence with them and His constant faithfulness. Praise the LORD!
Pastor Joe Jacobs has been exceptionally privileged to have a very close relationship with some patriarchs in CAC especially Pastor J. O. Anosike of the then Section (1) of Eastern Nigeria, the 5 degrees CAC General Superintendent, Pastor Abraham O. Ade Olutimehin, and the 2 CAC General Evangelist, Prophet David Olulana Babajide (all of blessed memory) who God used to answer most of his probing questions on Christ Apostolic Church, and who also taught and groomed him in spiritual matters. His appointment to assist the 2™ Youth Officer of our Church, Pastor Anu Ojo in 1999 brought him closer to the central administration of our beloved Mission. He was appointed as the 3rd Youth Officer to head the Youth Department of the Church on 1st June, 2003. Officially, he reported directly to the General Superintendent. He was therefore favored to have an unobstructed link with the spiritual authorities of the Church since 1999 till date, namely, all Presidents (Pastor J.D. Obafemi (rtd). late Pastor E.H.L Olusheye, and our former President, Pastor Abraham O. Akinosun); the General Superintendents (late Pastor Elijah H. L. Olusheye, Pastor Daniel O. A. Oloye rtd.; Pastor Paul O. Bandele, rtd.; Pastor Abraham O. Akinosun, Pastor Michael O. Agbaje, rtd.; and our current General Superintendent, Pastor Samuel O. Oladele) and all General Evangelists (late Evangelist Jacob Oluwatuberu Alokan, Prophet Samuel Kayode Abiara, rtd.; under whose Chairmanship of the CAC Evangelistic World Outreach he served as Secretary for six years, and our current, 5^ prime prime General Evangelist, Prophet Hezekiah O. Oladeji). Without doubt, these great men of God have contributed in one way or the other to his making today.
Also, Pastor Joe Jacobs has been specially honored and graced to represent the leadership of the Church in some occasions both inside and outside our Mission. He was involved in several National Committees of the Church. Examples are, past Committees for all Duty Commencement Services, and Retirement Services of the Church leaders; the defunct Burial Planning Committee of the 5th General Superintendent, late Pastor A.O.A. Olutimehin which was chaired by our current President Pastor S. O. Oladele and he, Pastor Joe Jacobs was Secretary; that of the 2 General Evangelist, late Prophet D. O. Babajide; and the burial of the 6th President, late Pastor E.H.L. Olusheye that he was privileged to chair. Others include the defunct Uniformity Committee, Transition Committee, Committee on the Regional Creation and Appointment of Regional Superintendents where he served as Secretary, and as the Secretary of the Centenary Celebration Committee whose assignments are still ongoing.
He ministerial assignments of this illustrious advocate of holiness took him to minister in the nook and cranny of all the regions of Nigeria both inside and outside our Mission. He is well travelled as an international and interdenominational minister of God of the 21" century unction, a true ambassador of Christ and the spiritual legacies of our Church fathers. His apostolic and prophetic teachings and word-based spiritual warfare in conferences, Radio and Television stations made him famous among the elites of the Church who see him as an encourager, a motivator and a mentor worth hearing. After he has successfully led the most restive and militant arm of the Church, the CAC Youth Fellowship for about fifteen and a half years during which period the LORD used him to unite the youths and the elites of the Church in all-round growth and development, he was redeployed to be the 4th Superintendent of this CAC Amuwo-Odofin District Coordinating Council which is made up of eleven (11) Districts, with effect from I" January, 2018.