A couple of weeks ago, August 30th, 2020 to be precise, the Celica Church of Christ, Ibadan, led by the easy going, yet charismatic founder, Prophet Emmanuel Adetunji Adeonigbagbe, held its annual Prophets’ Anniversary amidst pomp and fanfare. The magnificent looking auditorium of the church which has the capacity to conveniently seat several hundreds of guests was filled to the brim with dignitaries and guests from all walks of life in attendance. High ranking traditional rulers, business moguls, respected prominent men of God and top government officials were also present to felicitate with Prophet Emmanuel Adeonigbagbe, a man who, in more ways than one, has proven to be a worthy father, outstanding leader of the Celestial fold and spiritual guardian to all and sundry. Those who know will tell you that one of the key reasons why the Celica Church of Christ has continued to grow in size and popularity is largely because of Prophet Emmanuel’s profound love for his flock and everyone he comes in contact with. He is always interested in the well being of his members and those around him. Once he becomes familiar with you, he takes it upon himself to play a fatherly role in your life. He will pray for you constantly and offer spiritual cover even when you have not requested for him to do so. This is why he has so many children within and outside Nigeria who love him and would do anything to make him happy without him asking. This is also the reason why many turned out to rejoice with him and his team of well nurtured, humble and steadfast prophets and prophetesses who have all taken after the modest and enviable lifestyle of their Spiritual father, Prophet Adeonigbagbe.
Last week, City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) had a brief chat with Prophet Adeonigbagbe and got him to talk about the church’s annual prophets’ anniversary held two weeks ago in honour of it’s prophets and prophetesses who have led by example and upheld the integrity of the church of God. He shared with us the concept of the anniversary and the Lord’s message to the nation from this year’s event. Enjoy the excerpts.
How did the idea to hold an annual prophet‘s anniversary start?
It started by divine inspiration for two important reasons. I was spiritually established as a prophet of God over 4 decades ago by our Lord Jesus Christ at this period (August) at Celestial Church of Christ Erunmu. The spirit of God came heavily upon me at this period after a period of fasting and prayers where I ate only fruits for 42 days. Also the church was spiritually descended during this period (August) in 1992. This was when I received the final confirmations of a new spiritual ark named Celica Church of Christ and when the 3 preceding Anointed Prophets, Prophet Moses Orimolade, Apostle Ayo Babalola and Rev Bilewa Oshoffa all of blessed memory, appeared to me confirming that they have passed the spiritual baton to me. It was thereafter that the church was officially announced to the world on Sunday 15th November, 1992 at a press conference. From August 1992 till date this anniversary has always held to the glory of God with outstanding success. I have to be grateful to God for his mercy and grace on the church.
How has the anniversary helped in keeping the church’s hierarchy together?
The Lord has been faithful to us through the years and he has kept the church hierarchy united in the mission and vision for the church. As stated earlier in my first interview the church is not a man-made idea but a divinely descended injunction so the hierarchy knows the importance of the spiritual responsibility placed on them. We are all working together to fulfill the spiritual mandate given to the church which is mainly to let people know the Holy Spirit still exists and always in full manifestation if allowed to operate, salvation of souls for Christ Jesus and bringing people into the light of Christ Jesus.
How did the anniversary which was held about 2 weeks ago turnout?
It was a great success by the grace of God. The attendance was impressive as people came to appreciate the Holy Spirit which manifested itself in our midst and which is always visible for all to see. The Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of the church so he will always manifest himself in diverse ways. May his name be praised forever.
Is the prophet anniversary the church‘s biggest annual event?
There are two events we celebrate annually in Celica Church of Christ, the prophets and prophetesses anniversary comes up every last week of August and the worldwide harvest at the International headquarters on the Sunday before the last Sunday of the year (in December every year). Our parishes celebrate their individual harvests from September till early December before the grand finale at the International headquarters. Back to your question, I will say the prophets and prophetess anniversary is the biggest event in the church because that is what defines us as a spiritual church. The Holy Spirit is the bedrock of all our activities. The Holy Spirit is what we are known for therefore it is our biggest anniversary as a church. As a member of the global Christian community, the biggest event for us is the Easter period (the passion week) starting from the last supper to the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is the main reason we are today called followers of Christ, Christians. That is the basis for the Holy Spirit that works in our midst. Without the events that took place during Easter there would be no spiritual foundation for us as Christians.
What other events are important in the church annually?
There are many events we observe annually in Celica Church of Christ, the choir anniversary, the harvest at the headquarters in December, the Founder’s birthday on 25th December and the crossover service on 31st December.
The Crossover service is an important event where people converge at the International Headquarters to praise the Lord Almighty for seeing them through the challenges of the year, they listen to the prophecies and spiritual warnings for the new year and pray concerning the new year.
Christmas which is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ which gives us life as Christians is important too and celebrated in the church annually.
Everyone is free to attend all our events. I am hoping by the grace of God these annual events will be bigger next year.
We also use all these events to pray concerning the nation and the world at large. That is our contribution to the society as a spiritual church.
What usually is the high point of the prophets’ anniversary every year?
It is usually a full week of activities where various lectures are organised for prophets, elders and priests as well as night vigils daily from Monday to Saturday. There is also baptism for new members and all prophets and prophetesses in the church are spiritually examined to ascertain their spiritual development and growth from the previous year.
The high point is the anointment of new prophets, elders and priests across all parishes and also the renewal of anointments of prophets, elders and priests in the church as well as the hierarchy as a whole at the grand finale on Sunday. This is the renewal of God’s power and grace for another full year.
What key message did God send to the church, Nigeria and the World at large at the event?
Thank you for this question. As a church, the Lord Almighty told us to keep faith with the spiritual mandate which he gave us, which is to be a light amidst the darkness that pervades the world; by bringing people from the darkness to the light which is Jesus Christ), reconcile people with the Lord, deliver the oppressed and be a true spokesman for the Lord in any given situation.
To the nation Nigeria, the Lord said we should pray over a looming darkness that is gathering over the country. The Lord said Nigeria is being controlled by occult forces and the citizens should pray for the Lord Almighty to walk across the nation. The Lord further said there is going to be a spiritual revolution in Nigeria. All gatherings, conferences and associations to find solutions to the nation’s challenge will fail. Solutions to the various challenges confronting the country will come when the leaders are ready to listen to the voice of God.
The leaders (political, judicial, religious, traditional, economic) were told to return back to God, put their trust in him and allow the spirit of God to guide them in the governance of the nation.
For the world, the Lord said there are spiritual solutions to the global pandemic ravaging the world and also for the various crises around the globe. Like I said in my earlier interview the Lord had foretold about the strange disease and given spiritual solutions to it. Putting faith and trust in the Almighty God, who created the universe, will also enable scientific revelations in finding medical solutions to the pandemic. Some people believe more in science than God but they forget that God Almighty is the greatest scientist and inventor. Science is subjected to the spiritual realm. Science evolved through inspirations, dreams and visions. Many scientists, especially those in the medical field, acknowledge the existence of God. Cases that are beyond the natural which have confounded scientists and medical practitioners are handled with ease at the spiritual realm by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is why doctors say we care but God cures. I know what is beyond science or medicine is not beyond God Almighty. The summary of it all is that where science stops is where the spiritual begins.
Who are those important personalities that attended the anniversary?
Everyone who attended is important. Everyone who honoured the call of God in my life is important. I would just say we had people from different places that came to felicitate with us, clergies, royal fathers, business moguls, public & civil servants, different professionals as well as our esteemed church members. I appreciate you all. God bless you all.
Who are those that were instrumental to the success of the event?
First of all, I will give all glory and adoration to Almighty God who made the event to be successful and who has always been my solid rock. I would also like to appreciate everyone who contributed in one way or the other to the success of this event, my family (the Adeonigbagbes), the hierarchy of the church, the Council of Anointed Prophets and Prophetesses, the Council of lrijus (Pastors Representatives), the Council of Prophets and Prophetesses, the Council of Elders, the Choir, Youth Movement, Staff of the Office of the Founder, Staff of the Office of the Head of Administration and individuals too numerous to mention. I must not fail to mention Anointed Prophet Adetunji Adeonigbagbe (Jnr) and his team who fully supported the renovation and beautification work in the altar and church auditorium. I love you all. God bless you all.
Any particular people you wish to thank, sir?
I would like to thank the Head of Women Administration, Rev Agnes Foluke Adeonigbagbe, the Supreme Head, Rev Olujimi Adeonigbagbe, the Archbishop, Dr Samuel Showunmi, Most Senior Bishop Prof Samuel Ayo Bode, other members of the hierarchy and Celicans in the diaspora who have supported me and my call all these years. I must also thank Anointed Prophet Kunle Abimbola and his team, @ btstudio99, @royaltymemories, @leeprince studios, @obj visuals, and the Celica Media Team for the full coverage of the anniversary. I also appreciate Prince Babatunde Balogun, Prince FM, Bode Adewumi, Tribune Newspapers and Wale Lawal of City People Magazine for the media coverage of the anniversary.
I also appreciate their Royal Majesties, Oba (Dr) Micheal Odunayo Ajayi, Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesha, Osun State & Oba Ebenezer Adewunmi Ogunmolasuji, Olupenman of Upenmen, Owo, Ondo State who came to felicitate with us on the joyous occasion.
I appreciate you all. May God bless you all.
Hosanna
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