Tributes To 8 Celestial Icons And Pioneers Of Overseas Missionary Exploits, By AKO

 

The meteoric rise and phenomenal spread of Celestial Church Of Christ, from a very humble background at Makoko, a suburb of the City of Lagos, Nigeria, in the West African axis of the Great Continent of Africa, was initiated by the Holy Spirit, in the late 1960s.

Like every move of God, that are usually preceded by divine promises, the expectation was justified, while the manifestation was hugely anticipated.

Prior to the year 1968, a Prophetic Word came from the Lord, that the Sun (Glory) of Celestial Church Of Christ, shall rise World Wide.

Indeed, the month of April,1968 marked the beginning of the manifestation of this remarkable promise. The seeds of global dominion of the household of faith, called Celestial Church Of Christ, were graciously planted in England, United Kingdom.

According to a 1978 article by a seasoned Journalist, G.M.O. Coker of blessed memory, (Pioneer Branch Patron of Harton Street Branch,UK), published in the defunct Church Quarterly Journal, Christian Voice, of October, 1978, by the Celestial Church Of Christ, National Headquarters, 12/15, Church Street, Makoko, Lagos, Nigeria.

The Overseas Missionary vessels deployed by the Lord, to expand the global frontiers of Celestial Church Of Christ beyond the shores of Africa, are the following:

1. Sister ( later Superior Elder Sister) Olaiya (Matron), the lead Missionary

2. Sister ( later Superior Prophetess) Adenejolu (Assistant lead Missionary

3. Superior Leader Abbey (Part time leader in Charge)

4. Superior Leader Oluwo (Part time leader in Charge)

5. Senior Leader Shorinolu (Part time leader in Charge)

6. Senior Leader F. Olaiya (Part time leader in Charge)

7. Senior Woleader Williams ( later Paul) Oluremi Okuneye (First Official Shepherd in Charge 1977- 1979).

Supreme Evangelist A.A. Bada in the UK (1978) flanked by Sup. Woleader Okuneye and others 

8. Evangelist (later Rev. Pastor) P.H. Ajose. 

The above named Children of God were supported by others and new converts, in the quest to make Celestial Church Of Christ, a global brand that it is today, to the glory of God.

Upon the planting of the premier Overseas Branch, outside the shores of Africa in April, 1968. The branch operated as a house fellowship, rotated among the homes of members, in the first year of its existence.

 Subsequently, attendance increased beyond the capacity of members houses, which led to relocation of Worship Services to hired auditoriums, in various parts of London, between the year 1969 and 1974.

Leading the foundation members who sacrificially supported the Overseas Missionary team, especially in the quest for a permanent place of Worship, were brothers (later Senior Leaders) Shorinolu, Olaiya and Adenejolu (later Assistant Leader).

Their selfless efforts were rewarded by the Lord, with the blessing of a permanent place of Worship at Harton Street, SE-8 Deptford, London, in the 6th year of existence. 

During the first 8 years (1968-1976) of the Premier Overseas branch existence, temporary part time leaders among the Overseas Missionary team, presided as successive leaders in Charge.

However, the acquisition of a permanent place of Worship, with a Vicarage, in 1974 positioned the branch for higher responsibilities.

A top priority among contending responsibilities, was  the hosting of a full time, resident transferred Shepherd in Charge from the Headquarters, at Lagos, Nigeria.

In response to the desires of Overseas Missionary team and the members of the Harton Street Branch, the Celestial Church Of Christ Headquarters at Lagos, took a decisive step in 1976.

Senior Woleader Williams (later Paul) Oluremi Okuneye, who was designated as the Pioneer Overseas Shepherd, by Rev. S.B.J. Oshoffa in 1976, was transferred to the Branch, in 1977 as the first substantive Official Shepherd in Charge.

Indeed, an epoch making and indelible event in the annals of Celestial Church Of Christ global expansion, was captured by the erudite Journalist and Branch Patron, in the 1978 article titled, Celestial Church Of Christ, Harton Street, London, as follows:

• The Sun of Celestial Church Of Christ continues to rise in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Because for the first time in the history of Celestial Church Of Christ, a Staff of the Headquarters, in person(sic) of Senior Woleader Williams (later Paul) Oluremi Okuneye was posted to lead Harton Street Branch, in London, as the Mother Church, for the UK & Ireland. 

The screen shot below was taken from the original copy of the Christian Voice, published in 1978:

Among the Branch Officials and Overseas Missionary team, that received and worked with the first full time Shepherd in Charge, included the following:

1. Brother (later leader) G.M.O. Coker (Branch Patron) 

2. Brother (later leader) J. Ogunkola (later Leader in Charge, Elephant And Castle Branch)

3. Brother (later leader) A A. Durojaye (Secretary 1970- March, 1977)

4. Superior Senior Elder Sister Olaiya (Branch Matron)

The above mentioned Overseas Missionary Team, were ably assisted by numerous zealous members to facilitate the spread of Celestial Church Of Christ, through out Europe and the Americas, to the glory of God.

The end of the first decade and the beginning of the second decade of the Branch was presided over by the Holy Spirit, using the first full time Shepherd in Charge, with the valuable support of the Branch Officials and members.

Evangelist (later Pastor C.C.C. W/W) Phillips H. Ajose, succeeded Senior Woleader Williams Oluremi Okuneye, as the second Presiding Officer, transferred by the Headquarters to the United Kingdom Branch, in 1979.

Under him the Overseas Diocese was created by Rev. S.B.J. Oshoffa (of Blessed Memory). He presided as the Head Of Diocese, before taking over the mantle of leadership, as the Pastor And Supreme Head, Celestial Church Of Christ, World Wide, in AD. 2000.

Celestial Church Of Christ Overseas Mission appreciate and celebrate the Missionary Exploits of these individuals, who made themselves available, as Brothers and Sisters, in the Overseas Mission fields .

These are deserving tributes, to the cherished Memory of our heroes and heroines of faith, who blazed the trails for others to follow, in the foreign Mission fields. Many are already sleeping in the Lord, while others are of advance age, your labour of love shall not be in vain, in Jesus name. 

On behalf of Celestial Church Of Christ in diaspora, we salute your tenacity and drugged faith, in providing a sustainable platform for us and the furniture generations to build upon, in pursuit of Salvation and Worship beyond the shores of Africa. 

Among the beneficiaries of this Missionary Exploits, as Shepherds and Church Workers invariably took the Celestial Church Of Christ across Europe and the Americas, to the glory of God. Harton Street Branch in London, the United Kingdom is justifiably, the Unofficial International Headquarters of Celestial Church Of Christ.

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Surely, divine goodness and mercy shall abide with you always, in Jesus name.

Halleluyah!