Emmanuel Abodunrin
The Governing Council of the Oke-Igbala Ayo Spiritual Church of Christ (C&S) Worldwide has installed and inaugurated the Rev. Apostle Prophetess Rachael Eniola Aderonke Akerele-Fashina as the Primate and Spiritual Head of the church, both at home and abroad.
The imposing cathedral of the church was filled to the brim on Saturday, September 19, 2020, as friends, family and relatives turned up to felicitate with Prophetess Akerele-Fashina who was anointed as the new leader of the church that has been in existence for about 50 years.
The newly installed Primate otherwise referred to as (Arole), had emerged as the successor of the late founder of the church, Her Eminence Holy Mother Josephine Ayodeji NUGA.
Late Mother Josephine, the founder of the church, as well as the spiritual mother of the new primate, had passed away on August 15, 2018.
Akerele-Fashina, who has taken charge of the affairs of the church, is the second female Primate to be so installed in the church’s 50-year history.
The programme witnessed the presence of renowned clerics led by the His Eminence Baba Aladura Pro. Lekan Akintayo of Mount Sinai C&S Church, who also doubled as the installation minister.
The well-attended programme, however, held amid pomp, just as the installation and enthronement processes were diligently observed.
It started at the point where the officiating ministers which include: Rev. Apostle Josish Modupe Ogunjobi; Snr. Pastor (Arc) Andrew Olufemi Akinnubi, and Pastor Christopher Olusegun Olugbile, presented the new primate before the elders and the congregation.
This was followed by the consecration of installation materials, as well as the oath-taking which was moderated by a female judge.
Recall that at the 40th anniversary of the church in 2011, the new primate was nominated and presented to the church as the successor, as she was installed as the Arole of the founder.
Commenting on how it all started, the new Primate said, “I have been in the church for well over 50 years. We’ve been together from the inception of the church. God was favourable to me as I least expected it because I was just serving my God. But God deemed it fit to place it divinely on my late Mother-in-the-Lord’s heart to install me as her ‘Arole’, who will take over after her demise.”
On how she felt about succeeding the late founder of the church, she explained that she had left everything in God’s hands while counting on the Holy Spirit to lead her aright.
She noted, “I hand everything over to God because He instituted the commission Himself. My mother will say, ‘I am not the owner of the church. Ronke, you are not the owner of the church. God is the one that has called you to till the fallow ground.’ So I handed over everything to God, knowing fully well that I’m just a mortal being. And I know that He will endow me with the Holy Spirit and He will lead me aright. I will not do what He doesn’t want. But whatever will give Him glory, He will allow freely by His grace.”
The new primate, however, shed light on her plans for the ministry as its new spiritual head. She also spoke on her plans to start from where the late founder stopped.
She said, “Mama was such a wonderful woman, as well as a wonderful founder. She gave God a free hand. Before she died, she had been experiencing the power of God in my life. Even in her lifetime, the Lord has been using me for the commission. So for now, apart from taking it up from where she stopped, the heart of God which is evangelism will be pursued vigorously to the developmental growth of the church and expansion of God’s kingdom. By expecting His second coming, while everybody’s life manifests God’s given destiny by the commission of the word of God.”
The primate, while taking the oath, swore allegiance to doing all as being divinely empowered to be a good example for spiritual leadership like her predecessor.
She also promised to care for the spiritual needs of the church members at home and abroad, as well as admonishing and encouraging them to rely solely on the efficacy of prayers. This, she declared among other dispositions, are what is expected of her in her new role.
In his exhortation, Bishop Prophet Dr. T.O.S Owoeye JP of C&S Church, Imole Olorun Ntan, Agbala Anu, admonished everyone present to ensure they lived a life worthy of making the works of their hands speak.
He said this was expected of a Christian running the heavenly race.
Also observed as part of the programme which spanned over four hours was the Holy Communion which the congregation partook in.
Describing her as a loving and committed Mother, Snr. Supt. Apo. Pro. Festus Taiwo JP of Eritedo C&S Church, said the new primate had paid her dues before getting to where she is today. He added that she had equally served diligently.
Another guest as the inauguration, Elder Kunle Hamilton, who is the Shepherd of Celestial Church of Christ, Praiseville, described her as a stunning emblem of Christ.
According to him, Mama blesses people regardless of age or gender. She loves from the heart. She humbles herself even though God has exalted her. “And that is why you see so many people turn out at her installation and ordination,” he added.
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Covid-19 directives were observed in the course of the programme.
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