… Ambode’s wife, Adesina, others extol ministry as CRBC turns 20
By Tope Adeboboye
For residents of Ikosi, a sprawling community in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, October 2017 would for long remain a month to remember.
It was the month the Christ Redemption Bible Church (CRBC), a prominent ministry in the area founded by Pastor John Abiodun Oluwadare two decades ago, celebrated its 20th anniversary. It was also the month the church brought a lot of unforgettable projects to the community, projects whose impacts would be felt in the area and beyond for years to come.
Between October 8 and 15, the entire community was agog for the convention, which featured a number of memorable ministrations and sundry Christian activities. The theme of the convention was ‘Bread of Life.’
But beyond the ecclesiastical offerings, the event provided an avenue for the community to benefit from the ministry’s humanitarian efforts. A road was constructed in the area, a water borehole was commissioned, just as free health exercises were conducted for the people. Women in the community were also empowered with money and other items that would chart for them a new course away from a lifetime of palpable penury.
And impressed by the ministry’s good neighbourliness and its heart for the community, a number of eminent Nigerians trooped to its international headquarters, located off Oluwalogbon Street, Ikosi to participate in the convention. Among such dignitaries was the wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina and the LCDA chairman, Oyesanya Abdulfatai Ayodele.
The event started on Sunday, October 8 with a family summit. The theme was ‘Family as God Intended It.’ The following day, Monday, was a busy day. It was the day the General Superintendent, Pastor Oluwadare, assisted by other ministers, commissioned the borehole built by the church for the community. The borehole is located on Kusumi Lane in Ikosi.
The other days featured an array of sundry Christian activities including daily revival services, ministers’ conference, church leaders’ conference, general workers’ conference, 20 hours of praise and worship, ordination ceremony and the convention thanksgiving service.
Ayodele Road, a particularly dilapidated road in the area, was also constructed by the church.
While welcoming guests to the thanksgiving service on Sunday, October 15, Pastor Oluwadare expressed gratitude to Mrs. Ambode, Mr. Adesina and other government functionaries for gracing the occasion. He explained that the church was well aware that beyond feeding people with the bread of life, a Christian ministry or organisation must also cater to the physical needs of people of its community. He noted that CRBC had done a good job in this regard by embarking on a number of initiatives whose impacts were already being felt in the community. He recalled that members of the church and the entire Ikosi community benefitted from a skill acquisition and training programme through which a number of people were empowered to become job owners. The church also conducted free eye tests and free eyeglasses to members of the community, just as other programmes were held to promote good health.
Pastor Oluwadare informed that besides the Ayodele Road constructed by the church, other roads and streets in the area were also in pathetic conditions. Such roads, he noted, include Oluwalogbon, Ajefemi, Olorunosebi, Daniel Makinde, Christ Redemption Avenue and Anibaba, among others.
He expressed appreciation to the convention planning committee headed by Mr. Sunday Olaluwoye and others for making the event successful. He also thanked other ministers at the event.
Awards of excellence were later presented to Mrs. Ambode and Mr. Adesina.
Wife of the General Superintendent, Pastor Martha Oluwadare also told participants that many lives had been changed for the better in the course of the programme. She thanked Mrs Ambode, Mr. Adesina and other guests for finding time to attend the programme.
In her speech, Mrs. Ambode expressed gratitude to the church for supporting the state government through its community development initiatives. She was particularly excited with the road and borehole constructed by the church. She also commended Pastor Oluwadare and the church for giving her an award.
She said as a Christian, she considered the theme of the convention, ‘Bread of Life,’ as very instructive. In her words, Christians could only find fulfilment through Jesus Christ. “We should therefore improve our relationship with Christ. We should also remain law-abiding and continue to support and pray for her husband’s administration.
In his remarks, Mr. Femi Adesina said it was great to celebrate landmarks, noting that standing firm in the Lord for 20 solid years was worthy of celebration. He urged members of the church to always make themselves available for God’s work, adding that the ministry was still working on several projects. He also thanked the church for the award given to him.
A popular gospel artiste, Bukola Akinade Senwele Jesu and the church choir, The Redemption Voices, thrilled participants with soul-lifting songs. There was also enough to eat and drink.
Other ministers at the event were Bishop Dapo Ojo, Pastor Samson Bamgbayan, Pastor Anu Ojo, Pastor Joseph Adelakun Ayewa and Pastor Wale Olasoji, among others.