They came from various parts of the world to celebrate a one-week festival of worship, praises and the rich teaching of the Word of God.
Coming from different ethnic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, they were united in faith which bound them together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Throughout the seven days that the programme lasted, the 62nd anniversary and 53rd International Convention of the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), was a spectacle to behold and lived up to expectation of members who came from different parts of the world.
The Gospel City, the church’s new international campground located at Kilometre 30, Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, Ogunmakin, Ogun State, was replete with activities from August 6 to 12 that the convention lasted.
It provided a serene environment for an ideal spiritual retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, even as it ensured maximum concentration on the reason for which they came.
The expansive new auditorium was filled to capacity with those in attendance who were excited to listen to messages, teachings, seminars, songs and incredible testimonies.
As the event was going on at the Gospel City, millions of viewers all over the world were following it online and through the church’s cable satellite television station, GoFTV.
Striking testimonies included the ones given by two women who were healed of cancer of the breast during the Night of Healing and Deliverance.
Many couples who have believed God for their own children during last year’s convention came with their babies, including a 52-year-old woman who was blessed with a set of twins.
The theme of this year’s GOFAMINT International Convention was “Going Higher” and ministrations were tailored along the theme.
Apparently thrilled by the huge success recorded in terms of organisation, attendance and other new innovations witnessed, the General Overseer, Pastor Elijah Oludele Abina, expressed satisfaction that GOFAMINT is going higher.
From the opening ceremony on August 6, to the grand finale on August 12, Abina stressed that GOFAMINT and its members all over the world are moving to higher spiritual, social, economic, professional pedestals and in every spheres of their lives.
Reeling off reasons while members must go higher, Abina said: “First of all, God wants you to go higher in order to break bounds and attain new feats.
“I can hear God saying to you that you have dwelt too long at the point you are now that He wants to use this convention to launch you to a higher pedestal.
“I am strongly convinced that you will surely have testimonies of attaining higher heights during and after this convention.”
Abina also urged members of GOFAMINT to be more committed to soul winning, evangelism, church planting and mission work which he described as essential tasks for the church.
The performance of the children under the church’s Children Evangelism Unit (CEU) was breath-taking as they ministered in songs and showed their dexterity in handling musical instruments.
Appearing in their colourful attire, the children, who carried the flags of the various countries from where delegates attended the convention sang, danced and ministered the Word of God to the excitement of the audience. Their performance was crowned with display of fireworks.
The General Overseer, the Deputy-General Overseer, Pastor Emmanuel Oluwayemi; the General Secretary, Pastor Femi Omowumi; the General Evangelist, Evangelist Augustine Sossa and other members of the Mission’s Executive Council, who were all resplendent in their native attires, also displayed their mastery of dancing on the first day of the convention.
Some of the notable feats recorded which gladdened the hearts of participants included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the church’s theological training institution, Reuben George Theological Seminary (REGETS) and Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo which officially affiliated the seminary with the university.
Under the arrangement, applicants wishing to study Religious Studies at Diploma and Bachelor’s levels at the seminary will be issued with the ICU’s certificates.
Applicants who wish to study other courses will have a certificate that reads “Reuben George Theological Seminary, an affiliate of Ajayi Crowther University.”
Also, GOFAMINT Hospital Board (GHB) was launched with a mandate to establish and operate a standard hospital to be run by the church to provide health care delivery for the masses.
According to a report signed by GHB Chairman, Prof. Kayode Olabanji, the mandate was to establish a standard hospital at Gospel Town, Igbo Oloyin Road, Ojoo, Ibadan to be followed up with another at the church’s international headquarters, at Aseese, near Lagos.
Olabanji, a Medical Consultant at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), explained that arrangements are already in top gear for the take-off of the hospital.
Under the church’s Education Trust Fund (ETF), a total of 77 students who performed well in their studies received scholarships and laptops. Forty-five of them who recently graduated bagged First-Class honours in their various disciplines.
The Matron Felicia Abina Foundation, in memory of the late wife of the General Overseer which aims at empowering widows of deceased church ministers was also inaugurated.
The Foundation was set up by the children of the late Matron Abina in order to continue the humanitarian work of the late wife of the General Overseer.
Speaking at the inauguration of the foundation, the son of the deceased, Pastor Folorunso Abina, explained that 120 widows of dead church pastors were selected in the first phase of the scheme, noting that it would be a revolving exercise to incorporate more beneficiaries.
He said the launch of the Foundation was a demonstration of the lecture he handled for the day with the topic “Going Higher in Relationships.”
He said: “The aim of the Foundation we launched was to fulfil the ministry of our late mother to the less-privileged people in her lifetime.
“I saw my mother (in a vision), she had not been buried at that time; there was a disabled lady she used to take care of and she said ‘you children, you have forgotten this person, go on monthly basis to do likewise.
“Immediately, we started that after her burial; we gathered together to continue the good work she was noted for.
“I want to make it clear that this is not a public show because we were reluctant to do this openly but in the light of the lecture, we are setting up the foundation.
“At present, 120 widows of dead pastors in the Mission are being empowered and it will be a continuous exercise to lend a helping hand to them.
“We are beginning with the widows of ministers whose husbands had died. It will be a revolving exercise because those who are not beneficiaries today will benefit tomorrow.”
The convention proper was preceded by 62-hour Gospel City Praise Festival organised to mark the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of GOFAMINT.
The event began at 10.00 p.m. on Friday, August 3 and ended at 8.00 a.m. on Monday, August 6; setting the tone for the kick-off of the international convention.
The purpose of the 62 hour-long praise festivals was to create a formidable image for the church at Ogunmakin community and its environs, build a strong praise worship culture, promote indigenous gospel artistes within the church and evangelise the gospel to the world through the music ministry.
Some of the gospel artistes who showcased their talents included Elijah Daniel, Goke Bajowa, Ayo Ajewole aka Woli Agba, Pastor Paul George, Bois Olorun, Steve Sax, Femi S, Tosin B and host of others.
