By Boluwatife Oparinde
Under a well decorated environment filled with Authorities of Christ Apostolic Church, clergymen from the church, dignitaries as well as church members and community members of Igboora, Oyo State, a Christian wake-keep was held for Late Deaconess Sarah Okedoyin Omolola, mother of CAC Agbara DCC Superintendent, Pastor Joseph Omolola.
The service of honour held at the premises of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Itura, Ibarapa Zonal Headquarters, Oke Iserin, Igboora, Oyo State on Thursday, December 21, 2023, for Late Deaconess Okedoyin Omolola who died in April, 2023, attracted people from all walks of life.
With thrilling musical performance of an apala musical group called Bois Olohun; an Egun performance, and ministrations from Souls Winning Church Choir, Royal & Hosanna Voices and CAC Ibarapa Zonal Choir, the service was crystally a celebration of life well spent and lived by the mother of Pastor Omolola.
Attesting to the life well lived by the Late Deaconess, nee Okedeyi who was also know an Iya Ejegun, were the numerous testimonies from members of the community and neighborhood in Igboora, Ibarapa church Igboora, and her children, which trailed the service.
The Regional Superintendent, CAC Pearce Region, Pastor S. O. Aluko spoke on the title "Absent here, present there" where he extolled the godly virtues highly spoken of by people about Mama Sarah Omolola.
Describing "here" as the physical state of the earth, and "there" as yonder or the world after death, Pastor Aluko said that, "Mama is absent here, but present there. Thank God for our teachers in primary schools. They always ensured that attendance is marked twice in a day during the school hours. Mama's current case is being absent here but present in the other world. Mama is gone and she can no longer be present in any of your gatherings."
Speaking to the congregation, the clergyman stated that the "first truth is to know that it will be your turn and my turn one day, that you are not going to be physically available/present in this world."
Explaining that everyone came from God, he narrated that the population census in the country may not be dependable, asking that "is it everyone who comes from God that will go back to him?"
Pastor Aluko who told the congregation that the matter of eternity is beyond baptism, partaking in holy communion or being born by a Pastor, added that another salient point to note is that, "if anyone is here on earth and is not conscious of heaven, he will not get there.If you are not always thinking about heaven, you won't make it."
"Death is not chronological, it does not depend on how long you have lived. It is God who determines how long we will live. It does not matter the titles you have been given. It does not matter the offices you have been given. The one from whom you came is expecting you," he said.
Describing that the difference between the words 'there' and 'here', which is 'T' refers to 'Time', the Pearce Regional Superintendent, told the attendees that "for those who don't accept Christ while they were living, where is the there for them? The issue is such a person has gone to be with the enemy of God forever and ever."
Taking the vote of thanks, the Agbara DCC Superintendent, Pastor Joseph Omolola, on behalf of the entire family appreciated God for what he counted as a privilege to have planned a befitting burial for their mother; appreciated the CAC Church Authority, the extended family, friends, relatives, church, and all and sundry.
The Superintendent, CAC Babalola region, Pastor G. S. Dada, delivered the greetings of the President of the church. In the same vein, wife of the General Superintendent, Mrs Folashade Odejobi, on behalf of the General Superintendent, Pastor E. O. Odejobi, commiserated with the family of the deceased, especially Pastor Omolola, nothing that the Church Authority are unavoidably absent despite the plans to grace the occasion.
Dignitaries who graced the wake-keep service include, Wife of CAC General Superintendent, Mrs Folashade Odejobi; the Superintendent, CAC Pearce Region, Pastor S. O. Aluko; Superintendent, CAC Babalola region, Pastor G. S. Dada and his wife; CAC Director of Music and Director of Administration, Pastor Tope Dada; Provost of Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary (CACTS), Pastor Professor C. O. Oshun; CAC Director of Christian Education, Pastor S. O. Falade and his wife; CAC Ibarapa Zonal Superintendent, Pastor E. A. O. Aderibigbe, among other Districts Superintendents, Pastors and Evangelists.
Others are, CAC Sunday School Coordinator, Sophia Ajayi region, Pastor J. B. Awe; Superior Head, Awoni District, Celestial Church of Christ, Venerable Evangelist Isaiah Inamo; Baale Toroboji, Agbara, Ogun State, Chief Michael; Baale, Odan Agbara, Chief Waheed Fashina; Baale, Adedigba Igbesa, Ogun State, Chief Pastor Adeboye, among others.
Photo credit: Oladayo Akintunde
