By Rachael Oke
In a grand celebration of the wonderful acts of God on Saturday July 5, 2025, Christ Apostolic Church Yaba Districts’ Coordinating Council (DCC) English Assembly dedicated its new church building at Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos.
The service marked the fulfilment of a glorious vision that birthed from humble beginnings.
The outdoor dedication service began with a reverent rendition of hymn 563, followed by the reading of Psalms 24, 84, and 122.
The doors to the new edifice were then ceremoniously opened by the representative of the Church authority - the Regional Superintendent of Akinyele Region, Pastor Samuel Adeyemo Adedayo.
The dedication service proceeded in the new auditorium, as the ministers, members, and other well-wishers of the assembly expressed joy and gratitude in songs and hymns of adoration to God for His wonderful acts and deeds towards the church.
A highlight of the dedication service was how key personalities in the church, including those who had been part of it since its inception, recalled the church's history and testimonies from its journey from humble beginnings to the glorious edifice.
One of the assembly's foundation members and now a minister, Pastor Fred Akinkuade, recalled how the church started saying,
"I observed at a point in 1983 or thereabouts that the attendance on Sunday ranged between 4,800 and 5,000 and church conducted only five weddings in a whole year. Within me I reasoned that with this attendance that many of our youths were going to English speaking Churches since CAC was predominantly Yoruba language in all our services with this in mind I approached our District Superintendent Pastor Aoko and Pastor Siwoku of blessed memory."
"My observation to them, so we will conserve our Youths if we can start an English Church Service and without hesitation they agreed and said if you can start the English church go ahead and so the English Church commenced 7:00am to 9:00 am and that was how we started," he added.
The first Pastor in charge of the church, Pastor Rotimi Oluseye, who’s now the Superintendent of CAC Redemption District also shared significant growth that began to take place after the English Assembly (which was initially referred to as English service) kicked off particularly when he was inducted as the Pastor in charge.
He highlighted several notable achievements, including the increase in numerical strength to over two hundred worshippers, the extension of the worship service from one hour to two hours, the initiation of other programs in the church, and the laying of the foundation for the current nursery and primary school through the then Summer Vacation School, among many others.
The current Assembly Pastor, Pastor Abraham O. Akinsokeji, in his words of testimonies, expressed that the growth and completion of the project were true acts of God.
"As a privileged son and servant of God, I have had the honor of pastoring an assembly that started with a grass-raised and roofed structure, which later transformed into a modern iron-roofed building. However, I had never pastored a canopy-raised and roofed assembly until I resumed duty here about eight years and two months ago. Though modest, that structure felt modern to me, until God said it was time (2 Kings 6:1-3) and graciously revealed a new and glorious design—the metal/iron-raised and roofed sanctuary we now dedicate. Truly, it can only be God," he observed.
According to him, the structure, which included a main hall, children's classrooms, media space, and a gallery, took nine months to complete under God's divine supervision and providence, from the second Sunday of June 2024 to the first Sunday of March 2025.
He commended church members for their unity saying,"The unity of spirit and purpose displayed by every member of this family was truly inspiring."
He however noted that there is more to do referencing 2 Corinthians 5:1.
Exhorting the church on the topic "Zeal for God's Work," Pastor Samuel Adedayo, building on the book of Titus chapter 2, stressed the need for the church to imbibe a holy zeal – one that brings more souls into God's Kingdom.
"There are people around you who are yet to be born again, win them over to Christ and in due course you may be thinking of expansion," he noted.
The dedication service was also graced by the presence of Yaba DCC Superintendent, Pastor S.E.A. Oludare, alongside his wife, Mrs. Tope Oludare; Olushi DCC Superintendent, Pastor J.B. Olajide; and Grace Tabernacle DCC Superintendent, Pastor D.A. Oladipo, among other renowned ministers in Yaba DCC and beyond.
The President of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel Oladele, alongside other church fathers, had also visited the new sanctuary prior to the dedication, specifically on Saturday, June 14, 2025, where he expressed his joy and gave his blessings to the church – a gesture that the Assembly Pastor acknowledged and appreciated during the dedication service.
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