Celestial Church of Christ, described as largest gathering of white garment worshippers and the last boat for Salvation and redemption is God’s project, God’s intervention at a time when evil was growing in leaps and bounds. Jesus Christ was not happy and decided to choose Papa Oshoffa as a messenger to warn on impending judgerment, to show the way to salvation and rescue those in bondage.
Saint SBJ Oshoffa executed his ministry with all enablement as provided by Christ and there is no greater validation of his ministry than the fact that 40 years after his triumphant exit, the church still continue to grow in leaps and bound.
Papa Oshoffa was a simple man, a carpenter who was also into sales of wood until he encountered ‘Luli’ (Grace of Jesus Christ) in the forest of Agange and with this started a unique ministry anchored on Jesus Christ.
This ministry metamorphosed into a church, the Celestial Church of Christ.
On the 29th of September 1947, while, I was praying in my house with some visiting friends, I saw a strong ray of light rather like that from the headlamp of a car. I then saw a winged being whose body was like fire and whose eyes were tiny flying towards me behind the bean of light. As it approached me, the bean of light shortened until the being stood about a yard from me. This being then proceeded to say to me: ‘God wishes to send you on an errand of preaching to the world. Many Christians there are who, during their lifetime, when confronted by problems and difficulties of this world they seek after fetish priests and other powers of darkness for all kinds of assistance. On their death, they think they are Christians, but they are no longer Christians because Satan has left his mark on them. For this reason, such people, after death, cannot see Christ. God wants to send you to the world on a mission of preaching and exhortation, but the world will not believe you.
To assist you in your work so that men may listen to and follow you, miraculous works of holy divine healing will be wrought by you in the name of Jesus Christ. These works of divine healing and God’s spiritual mark on you will testify to the fact that God sent you.”
Please see Section 24 of CCC Constitution, Jesus Christ grew Celestial Church of Christ using our revered Papa Oshoffa from that encounter in the forest of Benin Republic into a ministry spread all over the world until the Lord called our father Papa Oshoffa on September 10, 1985.
There have always been misconception about the passage of Papa Oshoffa, with the popular believe that he died in a motor accident, this is not correct. Papa Oshoffa died peacefully while sleeping. The official account of his last term days on earth confirm this.
This account revealed that Papa had an accident on September 1st, 1985 while on pastoral visits to lbadan to be part of annual thanksgiving service of one of our parishes in lbadan. Unlike the popular story out there, Papa had minor scratches, was taken to the hospital, treated and discharged.
As will be seen from this account, Papa used this last days to put his affairs and that of the church in order, holding meetings with Elders and with parables letting family and associates know that it was time for him to transit. And on September 10, 1985, he peacefully joined the saints.
However, since his transition, the Church has been growing, our Lord Jesus Christ has been faithful, pouring out His Spirit just like His promise in Acts 1:8 It is no wonder that to the glory of God, Celestial Church of Christ has remained a platform for grace, grace for reconciliation, grace to be a partaker in the kingdom to come, grace for purposeful living, grace to be free from shackles of bondage, grace in all ramifications. This has been the story of the church in the last 78 years of the church.
The growth of Celestial Church confirms the assertion that if the Holy Spirit drives a process, the result is phenomena: hence the church has grown and continue to grow with more parishes springing up daily. This is because the Holy Spirit has been at work, visiting the church with uncommon breakthrough, releasing those in bondage from the shackles of the devil, barren has been fruitful, those confused and heavily laden has found succor, Holiness that leads to salvation has been the message. The growth of the church has been steady and consistent.
Papa Oshoffa remains a unique gift to the world and his calling a mandate for us to proclaim the message of Christ, to cleanse the world and steer the last boat of salvation, The question that we must all answer is what are we doing to propagate this great Commission Papa Oshoffa has handed over to us?
There are so many things to learn regarding the calling of late Papa Oshoffa. The most important is faith and total obedience to the will of the Almighty. This is revealed in how he prepared for his transition. His was meticulous in his preparation for his transition, outlining the details for his obsequies and this was what played out.
The account of his last 10 days on earth was a clear confirmation of this testament that if a man is called, he is given all that he will need for the assignment, Papa Oshoffa prepared for a Celestial Church of Christ after his transition, no wonder the Church still continues to wax stronger and stronger after his demise.
Below is the account of his last ten days:
DAY 1:
On Sunday morning, the 1st of September 1985, a boy called Gerald an 8 year old boy, Pa Abiassi son, came to Papa, after greeting him, told Papa he had a dream and that Papa’s car was involved in a bloody accident.
On that same day, Papa asked his driver ( Assistant Evangelist Expedit Vodounou) to fix new tyres unto the car, that he want to travel, few minutes later, Supreme Evangelist Bada came to greet Papa Oshoffa, both of them decided that Baba Bada should go to some parishes while Papa would go to other parishes, they will later meet at CCC, Ikorodu Parish, Baba Ajanlekoko’s car followed Papa as they left CCC Mission House, Ketu for CCC Ejigbo Parish I, Lagos, where Papa prayed for the congregation and Baba Ajanlekoko said the grace.
The convoy then proceeded to CCC Oluti Parish, Suwo, Papa also pray for then, but Oluti Parish choristers intoned the song ” Papa Oshoffa ma i Lo, ” meaning” Papa Oshoffa don’t go yet”, Papa turned back and promised them to be back soon; the choir change their musician rhythm to “Baba Oshoffa gbadura fun wa’ meaning “Baba Oshoffa pray for us”, but before leaving CCC Oluti Praish, they discovered that Baba Ajanlekoko car had a flat tyre, Baba Ajanlekoko pleaded with Papa to proceed on the journey promising to meet up with Papa as soon as he sorted out his lat tyre, the convoy then proceed to CCC Ikorodu Parish, Lagos, on arrival at Ikorodu Parish, Baba Bada, was already on the pulpit, preaching the sermon, step down, and he asked Papa to take over the preaching, but Papa Oshoffa said He should continue with the preaching.
After the sermon, Papa Oshoffa stepped out to leave the church, but a female prophetess by name L/S/S/P Folasade Adedeji went into trance and she block Papa Oshoffa from leaving the church, the prophetess rolled on the ground to the other side blocking his way, but Papa wave his hand and said “E MAJE KI A DA ISE OLUWA DURO” meaning “DONT LET US DELAY GOD’S WORK”.
Papa was escorted to his car and his driver opened the passenger door on the left, behind the driver, where Papa usually sits, for him to get in, but Papa shut the door and went to sit at the other side, immediately Papa left for IBADAN with another bus drove by Evangelist Pantaleon, carrying Papa younger children.
On their way to Ibadan, an accident occurred involving Papa Oshoffa’s car, Assistant Evangelist Macmetsanrun (52 years old) and Assistant Evangelist Thomas Chukwuemeka (37) both of whom lost their lives. Papa Oshoffa didn’t sustain any serious injury and was rescued by Alhaja Hadjat Olufunke Olawoye, she drove Papa Oshoffa and Assistant Evangelist Expedit to Ibadan Tollgate before Baba Ajanlekoko met them at the Tollgate and Papa Oshoffa was returned to Lagos and he received medical treatment at Labi Hospital in Ilupeju. Papa Oshoffa was discharged same day and he returned to CCC, Mission House, Ketu.
DAY 2:
On Friday, September 2nd, 1985, at exactly 9.00am, Papa was taken to First Shardack Hospital, Ilupeju, just to prevent the crowd from seeing him, Papa was accompanied by two of his children, Ebenezer Oshoffa and Edith Oshoffa. The children decided to keep Papa’s whereabouts secrete.
At the Hospital, Papa became close friend to all the staffs, particularly Dr Frank Akindole, CMD of the Hospital, who eventually asked Papa not to pay for his treatment throughout his stay in the hospital. Later in the day, Papa asked about the PA, Abiassi Mac and Thomas Health, Papa Oshoffa was told that all of them were fine and they were receiving treatment in Ibadan, while Expedit, his driver is at Labi Hospital in Ilupeju.
DAY 3:
On September 3, 1985, Papa Oshoffa had a nice day in the hospital and everything was fine, with two of his children staying with him, namely Ebenezer and Edith Oshoffa.
DAY 4:
On Wednesday the 4th of October 1985, Papa Oshoffa got out of his bed unaided, walked to the adjourning bathroom and back, one of Papa children, Edith Oshoffa went on her knees, she started singing Hallelujah to God, held to her father’s legs and wept with joy, that same day Papa Oshoffa went to toilets saying “HALLELUYAH, HALLELUYAH, HALLELUYAH, EJE YE GBOGBO ENIA, A O GBE EJE SILE, A O SE IDIJE, A O WA WO TANI YIO WA GBA, A….” after a while Papa said ‘Ha! Obinrin lo gba’ gba Obinrin ni mo fara mo”; after he asked the question the third time not recognizing that he was in a trance, Edith replied Papa Oshoffa ” Papa eni oh yin la wa ni bi bayi kesi obinrin kankan pebi wa”. and Papa Oshoffa Edith here use ni biti na o”. Later in the day, Ebenezer and Edith Oshoffa went to Mission ‘KETU’ to report the good news about Papa’s health and welfare and other happenings to other members’ of the family and top hierarchy of the Church.
DAY 5:
On Thursday September 5th, I985, Papa had a lovely morning, as part of his new schedule at the hospital, Papa Oshoffa woke up, looked after himself, and dressed well with all the trimmings, he put on his wristwatch, his sunglasses, his long gold chain etc. We were all very happy, after breakfast he laid back on his bed, he started giving Ebenezer and Edith instructions, though we did not understand it at that time, the instructions Papa gave us during those last few days of his life on earth will later guide us in taking many decisions after his transition, among others things, Papa asked his children to call one of his uncle, Olusegun Obasanjo, but the children dissuaded him, he also sent them to then Honorary Evangelist Chris Omeben; one of the Papa Oshoffa spiritual children, who was then the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in Zone Two, Lagos.
Papa said “MO FE LO SILE EDITH, MO FE LO SI LE, MO SO FUN OMO MI OMEBEN KO FUN WA LO LOPA TO PO, KI WON MA BA TEWA PA, NITORI ERO YIO PO, MO MA FI ESE KAN YA KETU, MO MA DE ABEOKUTA, SUGBON MO MA LO SI OTI SIMEKO, MEANING “I WANT TO GO HOME EDITH, I WANT TO GO HOME, GO TELL MY SON
OMEBEN TO GIVE US MANY POLICEMEN AS ESCORT SO THAT WE WOULD GO TO ABEOKUTA, BUT I SHALL GO TOOTI SIMEKO”.
DAY 6:
On September 6th, 1985, after Papa Oshoffa had comfortably settled down, Edith Oshoffa reported the previous night events that happened at CCC Mission Ketu to him, how everybody was fighting her for keeping Papa Oshoffa away from them. Papa made her sit down, and Papa said to her, EDITH, “OMO OBA NIE NINU IJO MIMOYO; ORUN KOHUN TI OBASE GBESE E LE, KIOSE OPE TI SE, KO SIN ORUN KOHUN TI AKERELE BA FUN O, LO MU YASE NI WA A TINMAJE TI WON”, MEANING “EDITH, YOU ARE A PRINCESS IN THIS CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST, WHATEVER YOU DO, STAND BY IT, THERE IS NOTHING ANYBODY CAN DOTO YOU, BRINGA RECORDERAND LET MESENDAMESSAGE TO THEM”.
Edith, gave Papa Oshoffa a voice recorder and Papa recorded an audio tape on which he sang (3) celestial hymns namely: –
(1) Ijo Mimo l’atorun wa, L’atorun wa, I’atorun wa, ljo Mimo l’atorun wa a, Ose owon fun mi.
(2) Awa l’oba giga kan, ljo mimo l’oba giga kan giga giga l’oluko ni nje osu Krist l’oba wa.
(3) Ojo ayo l’ojo oni je Ojo ayo Il’ojo je A fogo foluwa Awa omo celestial Fore gbogbot’olu se fun.
Then Papa Oshoffa assured family members and elders in the church that his in good health, promise to visit at the appointed time; that same day Papa went into a short dialogue with Edith in presence of Ebenezer Oshoffa and Honorary Evangelist Adenegan and his wife.
THE DIALOGUE
Papa Oshoffa-“Edith, Mo fe lo si ile, se wa sin mi lo?”
Edith Oshoffa- “Papa, e ko, ti ile lo si ile, e ni lati duro de doctor”
Papa Oshoffa- “Ebenezer, bi Edith ko ba sin mi lo, se wa sin mi lo”
Ebenezer Oshoffa-“Papa, a ni lati duro de doctor”
Papa Oshoffa- “Eje ki a fi’s t’ile bi a ti se wi”.
ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS
Papa Oshoffa-“Edith, I’m going home, will you accompany me!
Edith Oshoffa- “Papa you can’t go yet, we have to wait for the doctor”
Ebenezer Oshoffa- “Ebenezer, if Edith wouldn’t accompany me, will you?”
Papa Oshoffa-“Papa, we have to wait for the doctor”
Papa Oshoffa-“Then let us leave it as it, it had been said”.
That evening, Edith left the hospital for CCC Mission House, Ketu, when she got to Ketu, she went to late Baba Bada, and she gave him the audio tape Papa Oshoffa sent.
DAY 7:
On Saturday September 7th, 1985, Papa Oshoffa sent his children Ebenezer and Edith Oshoffa to call some leaders and some members of the church to hold a Thanksgiving service with him the following day, as according to Papa, he was dead and had been resuscitated, Edith and Ebenezer asked Papa,
Whether they should call members of the Board of Trustees Papa replied “NO, l am not sending you to the trustees” then he started dictating the names of the people that are to be called and the children wrote down the name.
Here are the names as requested by Papa
Oshoffa:
Supreme Evangelist A.abada, Superiorevangelist S.o Ajanlekoko, Superiorevangelist Phajose, Honorary Evangelist C. Eadenegan, Honorary Evangelist). Kowodunni, Honorary Evangelist G.O. Adefeso, Honorary Evangelist S.O. Banjo, Honorary Evangelist G. Amu Honorary Evangelist Otenigbagbe, who was represented by his wife, Superior Elder, Sister Otenigbagbe, Senior Evangelist E. Oshoffa, Senior Evangelist Olude, Lace Superiorseniorelder Sister Edith Oshoffa, Superior Prophetess G. D. Adenegan, Superior Prophetess Olude.
DAY 8:
On Sunday morning, the 8th of September I985, an Altar was laid and choir were arranged at the Penthouse of FIRST SHADRACK HOSPITAL, Ilupeju by Honorary Evangelist C. E Adenegan and Senior Evangelist Ebenezer Oshoffa, those that attend the service with Papa Oshoffa are-
Supreme Evangelist A. A Bada, Supreme Evangelist S. O. Ajanlekoko, Supreme Evangelist P. H. Ajose, Honorary Evangelist C. E. Adenegan, Honorary Evangelist J. K. Owodunni, Honorary Evangelist G. O Adefeso, Honorary Evangelists. O. Banjo, Honorary Evangelist G. Amu, Honorary Evangelist Otenigbagbe, who was represented by wife, Superior Elder Sister Otenigbagbe, Senior Evangelist E. Oshoffa, Senior Evangelist Olude, Lace Superior Senior Elder Sister Edith Oshoffa, Superior Prophetess G. D. Adenegan, Superio Prophetess Olude,
After the service, many jokes were cracked, many pleasantries were also exchanged and many things were said. It was a happy day that ended well, they all left.
Thereafter, Papa Oshoffa ask to see his aides “THOMAS AND MAC”, Ebenezer and Edith Oshoffa replied that they were still in hospital, but Papa insisted that he wanted to see them the following day, when Papa children left the hospital that night, Ebenezer and Edith decided to devise fix a plan, because from the beginning Papa children lied to him that his two aides were being treated in various hospitas, while in actual fact, they were dead, both children agreed that Ebenezer Oshoffa shouldn’t come to the hospital the following day, but wait till evening time to report at the hospital, there both agreed that he would stay away on the pretense that he was going to lbadan to check on Assistant Evangelist Macmetsanrun (52 years old) and Assistant Evangelist Thomas Chukwuemeka (37 years old) both of whom lost their lives immediately after the accident…
DAY 9
Monday September 9th, 1985, Papa Oshoffa handed all his keys over to Edith his daughter, he gave her some briefings on his family and welfare matters to be carried out, in the evening of that same day, Papa repeated his instructions “GO AND TELL MY SON OMBEN TO ARRANGE SECURITY, I SHALL BE GOING TO HOME TO IMEKO, ON MY WAY, I WILL CALL AT KETU THEN AT ABEOKUTA, LET HIM ARRANGE FOR SECURITY, SO THAT WE WOULDN’T BE TRAMPLED ON”.
Then Ebenezer Oshoffa walked into Papa hospital room that night, as earlier planned. Edith ask him” My brother, welcome.
How was your trip? Where is Thomas and Mac? Ebenezer replied” The doctor in lbadan wouldn’t let them travel to Lagos with me as they were not strong enough to make the journey.
Papa Oshoffa looked at them and said nothing.
DAY 10
PAPA SBJ OSHOFFALAST DAY ON EARTH.
Early in the morning of Tuesday, September 10TH, 1985, Papa SBJ OSHOFFA gave up the ghost, smiling, with one eye opened and the other closed, at FIRST SHADRACK HOSPITAL, ILUPEJU; thereafter, Papa was laid back in his bed. As it is the practice in the CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHIRST; two candles were lit for Papa, one by his head, the other by his feet and incense was burnt.
Ebenezer and Edith Oshoffa then invited the church hierarchy to the hospital on the pretense that Papa Oshoffa wanted to see them. On arrival, Papa children took them to the penthouse where they saw Papa’s body laid out on his bed. They were all very upset most especially BABA BADA who broke down in tears; then prayer was said, after which BABA BADA implored Ebenezer Oshoffa to take Papa’s remains to the mortuary, as according to him the whole world would know what had happened if the church hierarchy follow his body.
Accompanied by a doctor and a nurse from the hospital, we took Papa’s remains to the mortuary at the Lagos Teaching Hospital, IDI-ARABA, (LUTH) where the body was embalmed.
From the narration above we can see that Papa foresaw his transition and meticulously prepared for this. May the soul of Papa SBJ Oshoffa continue to rest in the bosom of the Almighty.
May God in His infinite mercy unite Celestial Church of Christ.
