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Tag: Cherubim and Seraphim

  • ‘C&S churches will continue to wax stronger at 100’

    ‘C&S churches will continue to wax stronger at 100’

    National President of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Elder Dr Israel Akinadewo, speaks with Online Editor Sunday Oguntola on the centenary celebration of the Cherubim and Seraphim churches in Nigeria. The Chartered and Forensic Accountant also addressed issues affecting the movement, as well as the book he authored on the centenary celebration. Excerpts: 

    The Aladura churches are celebrating their centenary. What’s the significance of their existence in the Christian community?

    As I have said in my forthcoming book,  The Underpinnings of the Holy Band of Cherubim & Seraphim (Historical & Empirical): Over the past 100 years and more, the Cherubim & Seraphim as a church has not only witnessed but has also contributed to the profound transformation of the religious, cultural and social landscape of the African Christian community.

    This centenary is not only a milestone for the Church itself but also for the wider African Christian movement, as the Cherubim and Seraphim tradition embodies the spiritual aspirations, struggles and triumphs of an African Christian identity that has grown and evolved over the years. This history, characterised by divine revelations and human agency, is explored in this book as an essential part of the Church’s legacy.

    Some people have misgivings about the C&S churches. To what extent are they right and wrong?

    You said “some people” and not God. Let me take you through the scriptures in Acts 5:29, 38-39, when the people in Jerusalem, led by the high priest and the Sadducees, wanted to stop the spread of the preaching of the gospel in the name of Christ, Peter rose along with other disciples, saying in verse 29 “we ought to obey God and rather than men”.

    Therefore, what have men’s misgivings got to do with the calling and direction of the church for His church? Despite what you called “misgivings”, God has expanded the church even beyond the centenary, because the Cherubim & Seraphim spiritual activities commenced for over a decade before September 9, 1925. My only concern is that ‘marketing’ and ‘demarketing’ of one another have crept into the fabric of the church of God, hence, your saying about “misgivings”.

    Take, for instance, God used the biblical Elijah, Moses, Joshua, Elisha, and Ezekiel, among others, the past prophets, and still uses the contemporary ones in the Cherubim & Seraphim, and yet those without this gift and possibly a discerning spirit criticise and have contrary views.

    However, I can boldly inform you that the Spirit of God radiates massively in the Holy Band of Cherubim & Seraphim. Remember that I am from the perspective of the foundation of C & S as laid down by Saint Moses Orimolade, and not those eyesores that you see on social media.

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    As the National President of OAIC, how much are you doing to position the bloc in CAN?

    The Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), as an African Indigenous Churches’ group, has been at the forefront of not evangelism, but we have always maintained quiet dispositions until very recently. For your information and to be modest, OAIC is debatably one of the very first institutions that have brought to the fore the impact of climate change on the smallholder farmers. We started in Nigeria, and we have had it in Abuja, Akwa Ibom, and Delta State.

    In November 2025, we also initiated another climate change in Warri and Asaba, Delta State, to find permanent solutions to this climate change and the strategy for adaptation for smallholder farmers.

    For your information too, I, in collaboration with two of my biological children and one other scholar, wrote two articles entitled: ‘Using Artificial Intelligence to address the effect of Climate Change on the Revenue of Smallholder Farmers in Delta State, Nigeria’ and ‘Climate Change and Sustainable Livelihood in Delta State, Nigeria: The Role of Inventory Management Software.’

    These papers have been accepted for presentation at The International Symposium on Green Technologies and Applications from November 19-21 in Portalegre, Portugal. It is a Scopus-indexed Conference through Springer. The efforts of OAIC in bringing awareness to climate change issues are mentioned in the papers. This is to show the other areas where OAIC has assisted in helping humanity.

    Secondly, we have been partnering with the United Nations (UN) Women on the fight against Gender- Based Violence. We have even adopted a policy on this, which was unanimously agreed upon at the 2nd Quarter meeting held in Owerri some months ago. Without much publicity, though, we have done a lot in repositioning this organisation.  

    What influenced the decision to write a book in commemoration of the C&S centenary celebrations?

    One thing that you must understand is that bad news travels very fast, but good news and activities are indirectly suppressed. We have also read and watched how those who have little or no established knowledge about this Holy Band have tried vigorously to undermine it through various media platforms. They majorly capitalised on the lack of documentation of our history and activities because of the lack of Western education by our founder, Saint Moses Orimolade and the successive leaders.

    Therefore, this book was conceptualised to educate many about our activities and all the good things that the Cherubim & Seraphim has done over the years in Christendom. This book covers history, chronicles of 100 C & S churches, and empirical investigations. The book has even increased beyond the 1000-page but to about a 2000-page compendium. It simply informs the global community about the Holy Band of Cherubim & Seraphim.

    Is it coincidental that the book chronicles the activities of 100 C & S churches?

    It was uniquely done to identify how this unique church has spread across the globe. Apparently, I only reduced it to 100 churches to coincide with the centenary. Though not empirically concluded, the C & S churches are more than 3,000 different churches with a numerical strength of millions. The chronicle also brought out diversity over the years in the mode of worship.

    The church has eminent members across all spheres of life. What parameters did you use to pick the 100 C&S members for spotlight in the book?

    Apparently, the Book came up with these eminent members (deceased and living) from the research done whilst writing this. For instance, Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke is the first C & S member to have emerged as Governor in Nigeria. We chose Sir Shina Peters, Mother Idowu Philips (Iya Rainbow), Michael Collins Ajereh (John Jazzy), the late Apostle (Dr.) Remilekun Amos, late Elder Moses Olaiye (Baba Sala) from the entertainment industry, and captains of industry like Elder Segun Demuren, the past and present heads of churches, who have done tremendously for the church.

    We have leaders like the late Prophet Gariel Olubunmi Fakeye, the late Mother of Saint Moses Orimolade, the first Organist in C & S and many others. We also have the first C & S members to have emerged as Chairperson of Women Wing of CAN (WOWICAN), Lady General Superintendent Elizabeth Akinadewo, respected women leaders like Rev Mother Esther Ajayi, Dr. Oluseye Yomi-Sholoye, the first women General Superintendent of Sacred Cherubim & Seraphim, Iya Alakoso Christianah Olatunrinle, and the first woman in C & S to have led a church, the late Captain Christianah Abiodun Emmanuel, the current Prelate of the Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim & Seraphim (ESOCS) Church, HME, Baba Aladura, Elder (Dr.) David Bob-Manuel, and many others.

    We also recognised some friends of the C & S, like Most Rev. (Dr.) Daniel Okoh, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and those who have emerged as CAN and WOWICAN leaders, but who are C & S members.

    There are concerns that the church is not attracting younger elements. What are you doing to address this?

    I think it is a function of who did the statistics, or possibly, it is one of the unverifiable assertions to diminish the church. Yes, some decades ago, as a result of the local languages used fundamentally for church programmes, many young ones ran to other denominations but with the theme for the book launch ‘Ecclesiological Identity of the Cherubim & Seraphim Church: The Paradigmatic Shifts and Institutional Reconfigurations within the Established Order,’ it is evident that some intentional actions have been done to sustain the glory of this Holy Band. As a matter of fact, the glory of the latter days is going to be greater than the former.

    How reliable are the data and facts you presented in the book?

    Firstly, as a priest, the undiluted truth must be maintained. Therefore, bearing any human errors, the contents are factual and without any defect. Secondly, as an academic, facts are very sacred, which is the reason why five eminent Professors are going to review this Book at the Book Launch.

  • C&S seeks prayers in tackling insecurity

    C&S seeks prayers in tackling insecurity

    Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Movement Church Worldwide has urged Nigerians to assist security agencies in their fight against insecurity.

    The church sought prayers for the country to overcome its challenges.

    Chairman, C&S Church, Prophet Emmanuel Alogbo, spoke at the church’s Galilee Headquarters at the ongoing 18th International Women Fellowship Conference/Convention.

    The theme of the one week event is: ‘Women of double glory.’

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    The clergyman said: “Let us commit our nation into God’s hands. We must earnestly seek His face through prayers and supplications. I believe God will deliver our land from every evil plan of the enemy and restore peace and harmony.

    “We cannot overlook the challenging realities disrupting the peace of our nation. The economic hardships, high cost of living, incidence of kidnapping and acts of terrorism are rampant across our dear country, leading to widespread killings and persecution.

    “Regarding security, we all know that security agencies cannot manage everything alone. It is our collective responsibility to report any suspicious behaviour or movement.

    ‘’Do not be overly secretive; let people know your whereabouts and avoid moving around at odd hours, especially at night.

    “I urge you to be security-conscious in all your dealings.”

    Speaking with The Nation on the sidelines of the event, C&S Conference Secretary General, Dr Anthony Samaye, stressed the important role women could play to reduce anti-social behaviour and other vices among youths to the bareness minimum.

    He said: ‘’Women’s role in the family is enormous. We cannot talk about the family without women.’’

    The Convention President, Prophetess Victoria Erinfolami, said God would soon turn around every unsavoury situation in Nigeria.

  • C&S church decries strange doctrines, warns members against ungodly practices

    C&S church decries strange doctrines, warns members against ungodly practices

    The Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) has vowed to work with security agencies to identify and prosecute ritualists and fraudsters who exploit the church to carry out criminal and strange doctrines.

    The white-garment church also distanced itself from unwholesome activities such as the use of coloured candles, the Ark of the Covenant, and other blood-letting practices. 

    Speaking on Thursday in Ikare-Akoko in Ondo State to kick start its centenary celebration, the Secretary of the Church, Prof. Akinrotimi Oyetakin, expressed concerns at how religious faithful have been deviating from the foundation laid by the late Moses Orimolade.

    Oyetakin specifically emphasised that the C&S has warned those engaging in such practices to desist from such an ungodly act immediately.

    “However, despite tremendous growth and expansion, some strange doctrines have crept in, deviating from the foundation laid by Baba Orimolade.

    “As true bearers of his mantle, we unequivocally state that the use of red, black, or coloured candles was never practised by Baba Orimolade.

    “Likewise, the Ark of the Covenant (Apoti Eri) and other blood-letting practices that are negatively affecting the image of the church are deviations from his teachings. We hereby advise those engaging in such practices to desist immediately,” he said.

    Prof. Oyetakin further explained that the C&S was working with the security agencies in prosecuting “ritualists and fraudsters” who exploit religion and the white garment church as a façade for their evil deeds.

    Pleading with other C&S churches in the country, who have adopted the strange practices, to return to the basics, he said the doctrine left behind by the late Orimolade remained the only solution to safeguarding the church from agents of darkness and fraudsters.

    “As the Mother Church, we remain committed to fostering unity within the global C & S community to enhance development and address challenges without compromising the historical truth that St. Moses Orimolade Tunolase is the sole founder of the church.

    “Recent attempts by certain individuals to rewrite the history of the church are both futile and too late,” he added.

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    The church, however, called on the government to implement economic reforms to ameliorate socio-economic challenges facing the country.

    “While we appreciate efforts by governments at various levels, they must do more to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

    “Economic reforms should be implemented with compassion, ensuring that palliatives and relief programmes effectively reach those in need.”

    The Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Adeleke Adefemi Adegbite-Adedoyin, described the C&S as one of the early churches, urging the worshippers at the white-garment church to always pray for peace and unity in Ikare and the country as a whole. 

  • Cherubim and Seraphim (C & S): Ninety-eight years of existence

    Cherubim and Seraphim (C & S): Ninety-eight years of existence

    • By, Baba Aladura Israel Akinadewo*

    Prelate, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide

    “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehends it not” – John 1:5

    *Preamble*

    It is a thing of joy to note that the centenary of the founding of Cherubim and Seraphim is two years from now. Thus, marking the nine decades and eight years of the great movement’s existence is a preclude to what the world will witness in the year 2025.

    Having said that, this band, established solely by *Saint Moses Orimolade Tunolase (Ajagunmokadi)* and without any contradictions from historical perspectives, has gone through a whole of engagements from spiritual, biblical, evangelical, healing, homiletics, and international activities’ viewpoints.

    The words, *”Ipinle ti Jesu fi lele leyi, ti Baba Aladura nto, keda mase ro pe, o ye kuro nibe, o duro le Kristi apata”*, in one of the most popular songs in C and S, literally translated as *”The Foundation of truth laid by Jesus, which our Praying Father follows”, the world should not think that he has departed from it, it stands on the rock of Christ*, is uniquely embedded in the programming orders of this great church. 

    Many people that their forebears were in this movement together with our father, Saint Moses Orimolade Tunolase, would understand much better that their patriarchs and matriarchs were puritanical in all their activities. These founding leaders adhered very strictly to moral and religious principles.

    Thus, this band, established by God through our father, Moses Orimolade, is built on the solid rock of salvation, hence, many evildoers got born again and were converted into the band.

    I have been consistent in the use of the word *”Band”*, because that is the established path, which till today, the foundational churches still have *Cherub Band* and *Seraph Band*, aside from the numerous bands in those churches.

    In those days, it used to be interesting, during anniversaries, seeing these two foundational bands establishing healthy rivalry in working for God, through financial contributions, programmes, prayers, etc.

    It was indeed a sight to behold by the younger Cherubs and Seraphs of our time. Doubtless, the Band is established by God and prophetic orders, working to uproot the trees of the witches and wizards in those days, brought about the spread beyond Nigeria, the country of origin.

    This church is purely indigenous to Nigeria and Africa at large. It really broke the European pattern of everyone worshiping Almighty God in the same way as theirs. 

    The African dancing patterns were inspired into C and S worship modes that brought great joy into Christianity in Africa. God used this church to create this uniqueness.

    This multidimensional faith group, which now has several independently registered churches, is and will continue to be the pride of the continent of Africa. Many of these churches, aside from the use of English, still maintain their local language to conduct services.

    This alone has been one of the reasons why our local languages have not gone into extinction. Unfortunately, majority of our younger ones today unconsciously see their local languages as vernacular that belittles their new found positions, whilst believing that the conduct of church services in English language fortifies their modernisation. This is farther from the truth. I want to submit that the younger generations have a whole lot to learn from the elders that are still alive, for them to understand more, how apologetics in theological studies applies to their own background.

    Having said that, I’m proud to see so many of our younger leaders preaching the undiluted word of God, which was exactly what the founding fathers started. It is basically the primary reason why C & S came into being.

    Aside from what Moses Orimolade did, we that were privileged to have come from a prophetic background, always marvelled to see how the evil ones confessed openly after preaching and sermons by our forebears. They were simply:

    1. Prayers with biblical backing;

    2. Confession by the evildoers;

    3. Repentance;

    4. Conversion;

    5. Total adoption into the fold.

    Honestly, nothing has changed from those that had great backgrounds of the undiluted C and S strict parents.

    Consequently, our faith remains ever solid on the Rock of Christ. Again, the pattern of some believers in using any means to create division through holier-than-thou attitude to generalize  a band established by God Himself, is purely out of ignorance and their own background. The truth of the matter is that those that follow the teachings of the sole founder, are proudly Seraphs and Cherubs. May the Lord forgive us of our sins of ignorance, through Christ our Lord.

    This unique band is dexterous in:

    1. Articulated sermon

    2. Healing

    3. Prophetic utterances

    4. Charity 

    5. Spiritualism 

    6. Music

    7. Singing

    8. Dancing, and in those days, there would always be food for all, especially the children (common then was beans and coconut without including any oil). The little children were always happy to come to church.

    Aside that, we have our own paramilitary organ called “Omo Ogun Igbala – Army of Salavation; and our garments depict your hierarchical titles. From Aladura to Lady Leader and so on to the highest position for the women, are distinctively noted through their dressing modes

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     This equally applies to the male gender. Then, the praying staff from leaders to Rabbi, to Pastor, to Evangelist, to Prophet (this is not for everyone but as divinely ordered), to Apostles are also special in their own individual ways. Is it the full regalia, or the veil used by anointed men, especially, the 40 days of the Lenten season, as well as during confessional Psalms that are not spiritual, biblical and equally African? God indeed used our fathers to bring Himself closer to Africa, which the true Seraphs are proud of.

    In view of this, as the scripture stated in Romans 14:22 that “…….blessed is he that did not condemn himself in that thing which he has chosen”, let the Seraphs continue to serve God in truth and in spirit, continue in the undiluted word of God without condemnation, apply wisdom when relating with one another, and uphold the sanctity of salvation, then, God Himself will reward us all, through Christ our Lord. 

    Dr. Israel Akinadewo is also the President of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC)*. Aside the theological knowledge and prophetic gifts, he is also an erudite scholar and currently a senior lecturer in forensic accounting, among others.

  • ‘Prophet’ kills, buries housewife after meeting on facebook

    The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a “prophet” of Cherubim and Seraphim, Dotun Ogunlade (aka Arole Jesu), for allegedly killing a 25-year-old housewife, Bosede Oguntade, for money rituals.

    Ogunlade was said to have started a friendship with Mrs Oguntade on facebook.

    The police said the “prophet” allegedly strangled the woman on her arrival from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, when she sought Ogunlade’s help for her spiritual problems.

    Police Commissioner Shina Olukolu, who led a team of policemen to where the woman was buried, said the head and arms of the victim were cut off before she was buried.

    Reliving how the victim was killed, the police chief said on her arrival in Igboora, the fake prophet told her to first get over the fatigue the stress of her trip from Ilorin to Igboora caused by taking sleeping drugs.

    He said Ogunlade allegedly injected her with an overdose of sleeping drugs and subsequently overpowered and strangled her.

    Olukolu said Mrs Oguntade head and arms were removed for rituals while the remaining body parts were buried in a shallow grave at Ogboja, Igboora.

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    The police chief added that following credible information and diligent investigation, the command arrested the fake prophet and his accomplices.

    “Further investigation revealed that parts of her body were burnt and ground into powder for rituals to become powerful and rich. Two knives used to kill and cut her body parts, a white clothing bag containing substance inside a gourd where the alleged powdery parts were kept and a bottle of Stallion Schnapps were also recovered,” he said.

    Olukolu urged the residents to give timely and useful information to the police to enable them serve the state better.

    “The police will continue with their resolute determination to stamp out crimes and criminality in the society. Members of the public should be careful about having absolute trust in individuals or groups who are strangers, especially those they meet on the social media or those who claim to possess the power of clairvoyance or ability to combat and treat terminal diseases or possess solutions to social and marital challenges,” Olukolu said.

    Addressing reporters, Ogunlade said he gained experience from his former boss who was also a prophet of Cherubim and Seraphim.

    He said: “The woman and I have been chatting on facebook since January. I later invited her to Igboora.

    “Mutiu, a friend of mine, had told me about his challenges. He told me he was ready for money rituals. So, I decided to use the woman for money for him.

    “When the woman later arrived from Ilorin, I went to pick her and bring her to Igboora from Iseyin. On her arrival in my house on May 31, I gave her sleeping drugs after she complained of body pains. She slept off and I cut off her head and arms. Her head was later burnt to ashes for money rituals,” Ogunlade said.

  • Archbishop Akinadewo is dead

    Archbishop Akinadewo is dead

    THE Founder, Primate, Prophet and Supreme Head of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, Archbishop Isaiah Moyinlorun Akinadewo (Omo Jesu), is dead.

    A proprietor of many missionary schools, publisher, administrator and Ondo religious leader, he died on Friday night.

    A statement signed by Senior Superintendent Gabriel Akinadewo says the remains will be buried today at the Mission House after service at the international headquarters of the church in Ondo.

  • ‘Why C&S University is yet to take off’

    The General Overseer of The Sacred Cherubim and Seraphim Church of Nigeria & Overseas, His Eminence, Dr Solomon Ajao, spoke with reporters on the church, the nation and sundry matters. Tosin Adesile was there. Excerpts:  

    Home of the stigmatisation of your members results from practices such as wearing garments and walking bare-footed. Is there a divine mandate to some of these things you do?

    God in His own wisdom humbles the powerful. Before you pass the security checks, you will have to put off your shoes.  It is because we don’t educate people. I can categorically tell you it is not possible for anybody to sleep with shoes. Likewise in the olden days, when you paid a visit to the Obi or Emirs, you didn’t wear shoes to meet them. It’s simply a sin or disrespect.

    There are two major reasons why we don’t wear shoes. We don’t wear shoes because the church is the symbol of the throne of God. In the Bible, when Moses was approaching the burning bush, God told him to stop and remove his shoes because the place he was going was a holy ground. To be frank with you, it is only the Celestial members that don’t wear shoes; we wear shoes but off them at the church entrance.

    The second reason why we don’t wear shoes is because it is a lot more hygienic. The house of God is sacred and we don’t carry any filthy thing inside.

    How about wearing of white garments?

    White garment is a leveller and it is also economical in order to belong to our sect. It is a lot more cost-saving. If you attend the C&S church, it saves you lot of cost on buying clothes.

    What is your reaction to acquisition of private jets by preachers?

    First of all, acquisition of private jets, if the General Overseers are fund managers, if they know economics, they won’t engage in it. It is easier to make use of a chartered aircraft, but the major problem is they are not fund managers.

    But let me point out something. I can say with little doubt that most of the aircraft in question owned by men of God were donated by the people in power. If I happen to be in that position, I will refuse it. If we want to trace history, it was the day President Jonathan visited the CAN President that Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor was handed over the key to join the league of private jet owners.

    I once said it that the presentation was made at a wrong place and wrong time. Some of these General Overseers, I would say something is wrong with them. The cost of acquiring a private jet can be used to help members through setting up of an industry. It is wrong for men of God to live affluent lives. I’m not saying they shouldn’t live well but I mean extravagantly. A priest is not expected to live a life that will disconnect him from God.

    How about men of God going into politics?

    Some men of God are really called but they have lost the injunction, according to Romans, that we should not conform to this world. We should be the conscience of the nation, but if you have been spoilt with the largesse of office, I cannot criticise you. I don’t mix up with any of these leaders because I have nothing to gain from them.

     What is the stand of your church on marital failures among preachers?

    This happens because we are in a society without social value. It is not in the interest of the church for us to close our eyes to it but something that we should strongly discourage, but in discouraging it, you have to be a role model.

    But then again, it depends on individual priest; my children, for example, know that if you marry there is no divorce.

     How many same-sex marriages have been conducted in the C&S?

    None and none will be conducted. When you say same-sex marriage, you should ask those promoting it if we are reading the same bible. Is there anywhere in the bible where same-sex marriage is encouraged? You know what the end of Sodom and Gomorrah was. In C &S church, it won’t happen.

    How far have you gone with the unification process in the church? 

    I won’t say we are not making progress but it has been slow. Rome was not built in a day, I quite agree, but Rome should not be built for 100 years. We are now a little closer to forming a United Church because each of us is now sinking our dependence in one church. But then again, we should not run too fast because if we do, there may be a crash.

    Is the church planning to have a tertiary institution?

    We already have a project called Moses Orimolade University (MOU) and the church has acquired an expanse of land in Omu Aran, Kwara State. I can say with pride that I am the chairman of the supervising authority of that project. We have not started our university because we don’t have the “misfortune” of other churches. Why do I say misfortune?  When you say you are a church and you are not building morality into it, you are not a church but a church of Satan and therefore the money that comes our way is not as massive.

    There are 17 conditions that MOU has to meet and we have met 14. What is delaying us is the infrastructure. For us, the university is not a money spinner and so the fees we are going to charge is affordable. We have a focus to tell others that university education is necessary and it should not be an elitist thing.

    Many of these universities charge exorbitant prices and that is beyond the rate of the common man. In other words, that university is not meant for their members but for the children of the elites. We won’t do that at MOU, I can assure you that.

  • Thanksgiving/Fund raising

    THE fourth thanksgiving service and fund-raising of St. Hosea Olugbesan Cathedral Christ Church of Cherubim and Seraphim, Opposite Lister Four, behind Kiibati Church, Opere, Ibadan, holds at the church’s auditorium on May 4.

    It promises to be spiritually rewarding as the guest speaker, an anointed man of God, alongside a ministering pastor, will be in attendance to share the word of God.

  • Nigeria will not break, says cleric

    THE Overseer/founder of El-Messiah Divine Cherubim and Seraphim Church Lagos, Primate Olukayode Adelugba, has declared that those working towards the disintegration of Nigeria will fail.

    Nigeria, he said, has come to stay and will never break no matter how much some people work in that direction.

    Adelugba spoke last week with newsmen in his church.

    He said: “Nigeria will not break. God told me that nobody was there when He built the foundation of this country.”

    He warned that the 2015 elections might be bloody going by the desperation of some politicians to win at all costs.

    The cleric stressed: “Some aspirants who are supposed to lift this country will be dropped because act of killing and political harassment with riot left and right will be in occurrence.

    “The Lord is warning all politicians in general that they should be vigilant, that he is aware of their thoughts; that they should be careful in whatever they want to build on the foundation. God said he will use 2014 to rearrange the January of 2015.”

    He also took a swipe at religious leaders who have collaborated with politicians to impoverish Nigerians.

    The leaders, Adelugba said, will soon face the wrath of God. “Nigeria,” he added, needs servants of God like Nehemiah that shall be useful in the areas of prayers.”

    He urged Nigerians to be steadfast, stating “better days are ahead and they will laugh again.”

     

  • ‘Aladura churches will bounce back’

    ‘Aladura churches will bounce back’

    His Eminence, Elder Joseph Otubu, is a retired Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The General Evangelist of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide spoke with Sunday Oguntola on the challenges and prospects of the movement. Excerpts:

    It’s intriguing to see an eminent professor like you in a Cherubim and Seraphim Church. What bought you this way?

    You know, I get this kind of question every time. Even my colleagues are shocked when they see me in my Aladura garment. They cringe and are like, ‘you mean you attend this church?’ I have come to expect this kind of reaction over the years. But the truth is I don’t know of any church or spiritual heritage other than this. My late father, Baba Aladura Otubu, was a prominent father in the C&S movement. So, this is where I have always been. I have never been to any other church to experience anything else. So, I did not have to come this way. I was born into this way and I must say that I am very proud of my heritage.

    Those reactions you get from colleagues and people must have been triggered by a perception issue. Does that bother you?

    Sure, it does. You see Aladura churches have become the laughing stock, so to say. We are the whipping church. When gospel and secular sectors want to represent fake prophets, you see them using Aladura churches. I don’t blame them altogether because the truth is we have a perception crisis. We have too many mushrooming churches under the movement that are involved in all kinds of charade. So, we can’t completely ignore that. But the movement, as far as I am concerned, has done so much for Christianity in Nigeria.

    Which are?

    Okay, today everyone goes to mountains and retreats almost every year. The C&S movement pioneered this. The late Moses Orimolade was the first to start this practice in Nigeria. I make bold to say that the C&S movement is the first Pentecostal assembly in Nigeria. If Pentecostalism is all about being led by the Holy Spirit, seeing visions and revelations, as well as engaging in intense prayers, then we were the first to do these in Nigeria.

    Our generic name itself, Aladura, suggests that we are a prayerful people. It was borne out of our deep convictions and commitment to prayers as a movement. Prophecy is real and natural to us. Today, every Christian cares to know what the future holds. We spoke in tongues long before it became a popular concept.

    How about infusion of indigenous music into worship? We started this, too, long ago. Our founding fathers dared the odds to plant indigenous churches without foreign subventions in years when nobody wanted to have anything to do with churches.

    You also consider the open air crusades/processions that have become normal today. Our movement started it decades ago with members with colourful garments forming a spectacle. That popularised Christianity at a time when showing up required bravery. So, we have come a long way, really, but the charlatans around have given us a bad image. Nobody seems to recognise how much we have contributed to the body of Christ. Everybody is only on the lookout for our challenges.

    That makes one wonder: why is it difficult to have a central body that scrutinises every church under the movement?

    You see, I have thought about that too. But we must realise these churches have existed for decades without subjection to ext ernal authorities. I don’t think it will be possible at this time to ask them to do it. Besides, we don’t have a central leader or figure to which everyone defers. You must realise our movement thrives on divine revelations. Everyone claims to have seen God in different ways and it’s really tough to claim the other party is wrong. So, we might not have a central control body but I believe we can do self-cleaning and internal regulations.

    What are those practices that churches under the movement should modify to remain relevant again?

    Thank you for that question. I believe the major challenge confronting one is capacity-building. We need a new paradigm. You find that many of our leaders lack education and training. It is difficult, if not impossible, these days, to do church without training and education. So, we need to clean our priesthood of illiteracy.

    Then, you see, I believe there is something wrong with insisting that everybody must come to church in garments. That has turned off many potential converts and members. Why can’t we allow them to come in their attires until a point in time when they are convinced on their own to put on the garments?

    Of course, we also have to regulate how much time we spend in our services. These days, people work on Sundays. Gone are the years when you kept members in Sunday service for hours. If you see a church that delivers in two hours, won’t you want to go as against one that drags service till 4pm?

    Also, one notices youthful elements are leaving the movement in droves. How can this slide be reversed?

    To reverse that, we need to know why they are leaving in the first place. You see, the movement has leaders with moustache and grey hairs. That naturally pisses off young people. They feel out of place and unwanted. They are not involved in leadership or engaged. Young people are restless. Wherever they feel unwelcome, they leave.

    So, we must begin to engage and involve them in leadership. We need them to replicate whatever attracts them to other places. I remember I used to lead the youth fellowship of the movement years back. We’d pay courtesy visits to government officials and top people. Our members enjoyed that. Today, I don’t see much of that again.

    The danger is we might be trading off our future by not involving and engaging them. We need them in the system to guarantee the future of the church. One can only appeal to our fathers to bring these youths together and allow them begin to take leadership in different capacities.

    But some of these youths are looking up to eminent leaders like you. How much have you done to really throw them up?

    I agree with you completely. In my little way, I have been empowering many of them. I gave some of them scholarship because education and training are critical to the future of the church. I remember sponsoring someone to the level of Phd. Unfortunately, the chap died during the study. I wanted someone who could research into our past and lay bare the facts to the public. He was on the verge of doing that before death came knocking. I did that because one of our challenges is none of our own is really telling our stories. I only know of an Anglican priest and a Pentecostal pastor who have written on the movement’s glorious heritage.

    So, I am doing my best. I am available these days for mentoring and consultation. I try to be there for them. But we need to have more people doing the same thing on a larger scale to have a lasting impact in the movement.

    Do you believe the movement has a bright future?

    Of course I do. That is what is keeping me going. We shall bounce back in bigger ways. We only need to take training seriously. We need to engage our youths and we need to modify some of our worship styles to suit the contemporary world. These things are not beyond us. They are within our capacities and bounds. Once we display the will power and determination, we shall get there. God started this movement himself and it will go places despite the little challenges.