...Members Benefitted Through Scholarship Programme, says Elder Bola Odubela
AgegePulse Magazine
The Cherubim& Seraphim Church El-Bethel Shiloh Cathedral Sanctuary at 68, Ipaja Road, Oke-Koto, Agege, Lagos' s Set To unveil New Church Building this Saturday.
Elder Apostle Bola Odubela JPil, Minister-In-Charge, Sacred Cherubim& Seraphim Church El-Bethel Shiloh Cathedral, Agege disclosed this in Lagos during a press conference to reel out the lined up activities of the church for the Year 2019 Youths And Children Harvest, tagged: "Harvest of God's Heritage.
Below is the full Address By Elder Apostle Bola Odubela JPil, Minister-In-Charge, Sacred Cherubim& Seraphim Church El-Bethel Shiloh Cathedral, Agege
Gentlemen of the press,
Let start by thanking you for responding positively to our invitation to this press conference, which is one of the activities lined up to celebrate the attainment of another milestone in our church’s history
In a few days’ time, precisely on Saturday, July 27, we shall be dedicating our third church building on this site. This, to us, is a significant achievement, considering were we are coming from.
The journey started in 1926, that is, just a year after cherubim and seraphim society of Nigeria (as it was then known), was founded by revered leader, Baba Aladurah Moses Orimolade Tunolase.
The first port of call him when he arrived Lagos from earlier evangelical crusades in the northern part of Nigeria was Lagos island where, fortuitously he met a young lady whom he had been invited to heal of an unusual illness.
After her healing, Miss Abiodun Akinsowon (later captain Abiodun Emmanuel After marriage),. Who was highly spiritual, agreed to partner Baba Aladura Orimolade to move the society forward.
Then began the spread of the society outside Lagos Island; and one of it’s first places to berth was Agege in 1926
Being a relatively new religious organization, it is understandable why it was not readily accepted by indigenes, who were legally adherents of the African Traditional Religion, with it’s various rituals and another heathen practices.
However, woman defied the challenges by the going around the neighborhood to preach, with the view to winning membership for the new religious movement. Then on Sunday, she would conduct a church service in her home, in a area called atobaje in Agege.
Gradually, as Mrs .Rachael Hamilton (alias Mama Ibadan) intensified he evangelism, with her children in tow, the church began to grow, was GOD led other people to partner with her on this onerous task.
As time went on, it became apparent that Mama Ibadan’s home could no longer contain worship person; and so, the search for bigger location began. By Divine leading, the present site was acquired and the first church was built and dedicated in 1941, It was the built of mud and thatched roofing materials.
Less than two decades after, the need for a bigger and more modern church had become necessary, following the continuous growth in population. Thus began the building of the second church, which was dedicated in 1979.
In between the time of building the second church, we embarked on many others development projects, Thus today, in other locations within Agege area, we have a Nursery and Primary, Maryland, Cemetery and event centre. We also established a second Shiloh church at alakuko. All these are functional today.
With all these development came more recognition for the church, and this won it the status of sacred cherubim & seraphim Lagos headquarters and also produces the third General Superintendent (Baba Alakoso) of the sacred Cherubim & Seraphim of Nigeria & Overseas Venerable James Akinwunmi Philips (1958-1961).
Again, there arose the need to expand the church to meet up with the space demands for its teeming population and also complement its exalted status as Lagos state headquarter of the conference.
Today, to the glory of God, we have every cause to rejoice over this milestone. As we plan to dedicate the third church.
Permit me to say, Gentlemen that this occasion, the dedication of our new church, is actually intended to pay tribute to our founding fathers the- men and women who worked selflessly to bring us to where we are today. They defied all odds to ensure that Cherubim and Seraphim Church came to stay in Agege.
It is also an occasion to appreciate the labour of our heroes and heroines, past and present who sacrificed their labour and material endowment at every stage of the church’s development. They are too numerous to mention here. To all these people, the Nehemiah’s and Zerubbabels of our age, I say a big ‘Thank You’ and pray that God who rewards generous givers will reward them for their labour of love. It is my prayer that the souls of the faithful departed ones would rest in peace.
Gentlemen of the press, an occasion like this provides an opportunity for me to comment on contemporary national issues as they concern us all. These are the issues of insecurity, unemployment and corruption, among others.
We view with utmost concern the growing spate of insecurity across the nation, which is posing a dangerous threat to the country’s unity.
As a church organization, we believe very much in the efficacy of prayer, and affirm that our God is still in the business of listening to the genuine cries of His people for help if they repent of their sins and look up to Him (2 Chronicles 7:14).
The body of Christ should unite in prayer while also calling on Federal Government to declare a ‘National Day Prayer’ where all Nigerians, irrespective of your religious beliefs, should pray for forgiveness.
We do not want war again in Nigeria. Memories of Biafran war, which ended about 50 years ago, are still fresh on the minds of those who were directly affected. And we can assert this if we recognize that we cannot overcome the country’s multifarious challenge in our own strength but through the intervention of God Almighty.
Let me also say that our political leaders have a major role to play in foresting unity among the component units of this country by tempering their utterances, and conduct, an exhibiting the highest level of patriotism and altruism at all times. To whom much is given, much is expected. They should therefore avoid anything that could jeopardize national unity.
Unemployment, no doubt, is one ills fueling the insecurity in the country. ‘The devil finds job for an idle hand.’ Therefore, the federal Government should explore all avenues to provide employment for our teeming population, especially youths. It must also enhance basic social infrastructure-electricity, portable water, good roads and well-kept drainages to reduce rural-urban migration.
Then, of course, the hydra-headed monster called corruption, which has eaten deep into the nation’s fabric, and has continued to stall her development. Concerted efforts must be made at all governmental and non-government levels to fight corruption to its minimal level.
Lastly, I want to urge Lagosians to co-operate with the State Government by obeying environmental and traffic laws to make the state habitable and pleasurable for all of us. We should also support the State Government by paying our taxes as at when due to enable the government provide adequately for its developmental projects.
Gentlemen of the press, we are responsible organization and will continue to do everything within our ability to support the government and our people in every way possible, I have since my inauguration four years ago, instituted scholarship programmes, by way of bursary awards, for the young members of our church who are in tertiary institutions. However, those of them who are not academically inclined are exposed to skill acquisition programmes.
Once again, I thank you for coming and look forward to seeing you again when we shall dedicate this beautiful worship sanctuary on Saturday, God willing.
Elder Apostle Bola Odubela, Jpil
Minister-in-Charge/Chairman Lagos Join District Council
Present at the press conference were:
ElderApostle Bola Odubella
Sec Gen Rev Apostle Mother (Olawunmi Gbadamosi Idowu)
Asst Chairman Church committee
Senior Sup Apostle (Paul Olabisi)
Supo Apostle Taiwo (Chairman Delegation Committee)
Sup Apostle (C.O Fariloye)
