History was re-written between Thursday, 17th March 2022 and Sunday, March 27, 2022, as the entire Christian community gathered at the same venue for what looked like a crusade.
Alas! It was the celebration of the life and times of the man everyone regarded as the father of the Pentecostal faith in Nigeria, Rev. (Dr) Obiora Ezekiel, the founder of Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM), a church he founded in 1977 after several nationwide crusades across University campuses and major cities. The church today has over 1000 branches across Nigeria, Africa, Europe and The Americas.
The event started on 17th March with the service of songs in all state headquarters nationwide and all the coordinating headquarters across the globe. And on the 22nd of March to the 24th of March 2022, there were a service of songs at CPM International headquarters in Lagos. The CPM international headquarters in Lagos welcomed a mammoth crowd from all over the world. Instead of mourning as it were, the Christian body chose to praise God, celebrate and also win more souls into the kingdom of God because that was the passion of Rev. Ezekiel, a man popularly regarded as the happiest pastor in the whole of West Africa.
Different activities were lined up for the week-long event. On 25th March 2022, the Funeral/Commendation Service was held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. And on the 27th of March 2022, there was a Thanksgiving Service at the CPM International Headquarters. As a matter of fact, one week was too short to celebrate a man who had fire in his bones. Rev (Dr) Ezekiel was the brain behind the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, a body of Pentecostal churches that sees to the affairs of the body of Christ as a whole in Nigeria.
City People’s Brands Editor, DAMILARE SALAMI (08155134152) monitored the event and in this report, he brings you some of the juiciest parts. Enjoy excerpts below.
POPULAR MINISTERS OF GOD SHARED THE WORD
At the funeral ceremony of a 7-star God’s general like Rev Ezekiel, it would be a surprise if all the biggest Pastors in the land are not on seat. On the day the programme began, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the senior pastor of the Word of Life Bible Church, and a former PFN and CAN president handled the word ministration. On Wednesday, it was Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, founder of KICC that ministered in the word. He also led some people to Christ. Rev Dr. Felix Omobude, the Presiding Bishop of Gospel Light Int’l Ministries preached on Thursday. He also won a couple of souls into God’s kingdom. Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the G.O. of the Redeemed Christian Church (RCCG) ministered on Friday at the funeral service which held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere while Bishop Francis Wale Oke, the current president of PFN preached at the Thanksgiving Service on Sunday.
PASTOR ITUAH IGHODALO LEADS THE COMPERES
The 6-day programme opened on Tuesday with the popular Lagos Pastor and founder of Trinity House Church, Lagos, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo anchoring proceedings. The record has it that he was one of the spiritual sons of Rev Ezekiel. Rev. Patrick J. Biose anchored on Wednesday. CPM’s very own Rev. John U. Ezeh anchored the activities on Thursday while the funeral service was co-anchored by Bishop Emma Isong, PFN’s National Publicity Secretary and Bishop David Bakare, PFN’s National Deputy Secretary. Professor Mrs C.I. Igwilo moderated the Thanksgiving Service on Sunday.
CPM CHOIR DID WELL
The Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM) choir was on top of its game all through the funeral activities of Rev Ezekiel. Starting from Tuesday to Sunday when the event came to a close, the choir rendered not just well-orchestrated and organized musical compositions, their deliveries were spiritual as well. They charged up the atmosphere every day before each preacher of the word mounted the podium.
MUMMY FOLU ADEBOYE STOOD BY REV. (DR) MERCY EZEKIEL
Pastor Folu Adeboye, the wife of RCCG General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye was one of the mothers of the Christian faith that stood by the widower, Rev. Dr. Mercy Ezekiel. Particularly on Thursday when she represented the entire RCCG at the commendation service, she was spotted severally dishing out the word of hope and encouragement to her sister in the Lord.
BISHOP MIKE OKONKWO, APOSTLE ANSELM MADUBUKO CAME THROUGH
Also spotted at the event was the founder of The Redeemed Evangelical Ministry, Bishop Mike Okonkwo and his wife, Dr Peace Okonkwo as well as Apostle Anselm Madubuko, General Overseer of Revival Assembly and his beautiful wife, Mrs Emmy Madubuko who came to commiserate with Rev Mercy Ezekiel, the entire CPM family and the PFN at large.
HERE ARE THE OFFICIATING MINISTERS AT THE EVENT
Just as we told you earlier, mentioning the names of all the pastors and church leaders that attended the event would resort to writing a compendium of Nigerian Pastors. However, we cannot but mention the names of those who ministered at the event. Among the officiating ministers were Pastor E.A. Adeboye, Rev. Dr Umar Ukpai, founder, Umar Ukpai Evangelistic Association Inc., Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Bishop Paul Nwachukwu, Rev. (Dr.) Felix Omobude, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, Bishop Simeon Okah, the presiding Bishop of Flock of Christ Mission, Bishop Emma Isong, Bishop David Bakare, amongst several others.
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