CAC General Superintendent, Pastor Emmanuel O. Odejobi
By Rachael Oke
Christ Apostolic Church’s General Superintendent, Pastor Emmanuel Odejobi has stressed on the need for ministers wives to strive towards becoming leaders who raise Godly leaders at the 52nd Ministers’ Wives’ Conference held at Babalola Memorial International Miracle Camp, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun state.
Addressing ministers' wives on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Pastor Odejobi expounded on the conference theme, “Preparing God’s People for Leadership,” aligning with the church's annual corporate theme.
The General Superintendent emphasized that true leadership prioritizes the well-being of followers over mere authority.
“Leadership is not being in charge: it's about taking care of those in your charge. Therefore, we must scripturally and prayerfully prepare God's people for leadership,” he noted.
He broke down the theme into three pivotal elements – preparation, God's people, and leadership – underscoring the significance of meticulous planning.
Referencing Luke 14:28-29, Pastor Odejobi stressed that failure to plan equates to planning to fail.
In line with the second key point in the theme, drawing from John 1:12-13, he defined God's people as individuals who place their trust in God's word, obey Him, walk in fellowship with Him, and labor for His cause.
“God’s people are those who trust God’s word, obey Him, walk with Him, and work for Him,” he emphasized."
He went further to describe leadership as the art of influencing people's behavior in a way that inspires them to work willingly and enthusiastically toward shared goals.
He also stated that true leaders are defined by their actions, behavior, and words, which in turn shape the next generation of effective leaders.
“Deeds, conduct and utterances are three entities make a true and effective leader and through these qualities he reproduces himself/herself in the people he/she is leading to leadership so that they too can become effective and productive leaders. A leader without a good successor is a failure.” He noted.
Drawing from biblical examples of leaders who mentored effective successors, he pointed to Moses' preparation of Joshua, Elijah's preparation of Elisha, Jesus' preparation of the disciples, Mary's role in the preparation of the disciples, and the apostles' preparation of other effective leaders as powerful case studies.
These instances illustrate leaders who invested in developing others for leadership roles.
Pastor Odejobi highlighted the adverse consequences of neglecting to prepare God's people for leadership, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing their development.
“Failure to prepare God's people for leadership will make a leader ineptitude and a failure and his/her legacies will be short-lived. A predecessor without a good successor is a failure and his legacies will not endure, hence, the need for ‘Preparing God's People for Leadership’.” He stressed.
Drawing lessons from church history, he urged ministers’ wives to channel their strength into preparing leaders who are effective.
“Let us learn from this, in Christ Apostolic Church and other denominations, if the retired fathers did not prepare their subordinates, their work wouldn't have continued as it is today. Make concerted efforts to become leaders who prepare leaders for leadership through profound learning and prayer without ceasing,” he admonished.