By Oluwagbenga Bankole
Having identified God as the faithful Father who has been upholding His church since establishment, ministers and members of Christ Apostolic Church, Mount of Transfiguration on Sunday April 28, 2024 gathered to celebrate 36 years of God's faithfulness.
The celebration which started with 3 days crusade at Agege Stadium, Lagos culminated with anniversary thanksgiving service at the headquarters of Transfiguration DCC in Ajuwon, Ogun State.
It was indeed a day of celebrating only what God has done, particularly in the life and ministry of the planter of the church, the General Superintendent of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Emmanuel O. Odejobi.
In his speech at the programme, Pastor Odejobi appreciated God for sustaining His church till date despite the plots of the kingdom of darkness.
Sharing his personal testimony of what the Lord has done for him, the General Superintendent said; "the Lord rid me of sin and turned me to Preacher of His Holy Word. He rid me off lust to live by His Holy Spirit as I do today. He rid me of sickness and diseases to live in health before you as I do today.
"He rid me of death to stay alive before you all today. He rid me of poverty and penury to enrich my life matrimonially, ministerially, physically and economically. I used milk carton to carry my belongings to Lagos in 1974, but today cargo cannot carry what God has given me. I was born by poor parents but here and from here God has translated my life."
According to him, he started his ministerial career as unknown Evangelist but today and God has "translated me to become a cynosure in Christ Apostolic Church, of global recognition in the gospel ministration and General Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas.
He noted that God rid him of sin, lust, virus and demons to become a vessel for His global use.
"I give all glory to God; my Creator and my Redeemer. Standing by me here this day is my wife who stood with and by me all through my thick and thin periods without who the story of my life is incomplete; both biological and ministerial children whose value of contribution to my life are inestimable and unquantifiable; my Landlord, Elder Babatunde, who remains God's sent to me, the ministers and members of this notable Church, who individually and collectively remain the fingers of God working with me to build from foundation to roofing what is today called Transfiguration Districts Coordinating Council, and the past and present Authority of Christ Apostolic Church; Pastor A. O. Akinosun and my Boss, the President of the Church, Pastor Samuel Oladele, Pastor C. S. Fasuyi (Mission Director). I cannot but remember the fathers in the Lord who took care of me from ministerial infant to adulthood. Without them as fathers at the moment I ultimately needed them I had not survived. In the lead are Pastor Taye Odesola, Late Pastor John Oyebanji, Pa Oloye, Evangelist Seguin ILesanmi and Pa Faniyan," he stated.
He disclosed that the church started 36years ago without academicians, technocrats, wealthy persons nor political stalwarts but today the Church has been blessed to attain the position of a Districts' Coordinating Council with technocrats, academicians, ministers of God at District and Districts' Council Superintendent status.
The Regional Superintendent of CAC Akinyele Region, Pastor S.A. Adedayo who preached at the programme on the topic of the anniversary, "Refined Silver" taking his text from Proverbs 25:4 and Ezekiel 22:19-22 told the congregation that as Christians, we are different, we belong to Him since the day we accepted Jesus into our lives.
Speaking on drosses as related to silver, Pastor Adedayo said drosses refers to impurity or raw materials that diminish the quality of silver, "in the same vein, its the negative things that tarnish our spiritual potentials.
"As silver is purified in the furnace, so we are refined in the challenges of life. We are being faced many challenges that has turned many Christians to drosses. Due to the scarcity and prices of petrol in the country, there are people who won't be able to get to church. Even people who can afford it may give excuses.If we allow God's word or pass through us and accept it wholeheartedly, we will continue to be refined as a good silver," he stated.
On consequences of drosses citing Ezekiel chapter 22 vs19-22, the Clergyman identified the consequences as spiritual stagnation, deterioration of character and potentials, spiritual growth and fulfilment, and weakening of one's faith.
Highlighting how to examine drosses in one's life, Pastor Adedayo said drosses are sinful behavior, spiritual complacency, unforgiveness and idolatry.
He noted that repentance, prayer, mediating on the Bible, fellowship, spiritual discipline and Holy Spirit guidance are the ways to overcome drosses.
Speaking at the programme on behalf of the Church Authority, the General Secretary of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Emmanuel E. Mapur who was in attendance at the programme alongside his wife, Mrs. Fidelia Mapur appreciated God for sustaining His church till now.
Among notable ministers in attendance are the Regional Superintendent of CAC Akilling Region, Pastor E.A. Olusoko; member of CAC Management Committee, Pastor Kayode Omoniyi; CAC Director of Administration, Pastor Tope Dada; CAC Director of Publicity, Pastor Ademisoye Alawode; CAC Abule-Egba DCC Superintendent, Pastor Olu Akeju;Zonal Superintendent, Christ Family Zone, Pastor I.O. Afolayan and many others.
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