By Gabriel Omonhinmin
Pastor Samuel Oshoffa leads rebirth and unification of the CCC Joseph (S.B.J.) Oshoffa’s foray into Christianity was indeed remarkable. He changed the face of Christian religious practices in the entire West African region, Africa and the world during his lifetime.
The Celestial Church of Christ, (CCC) was founded on the 29th September, 1947 in Port- Novo in Dahomey now the Republic of Benin by Pastor, Reverend, Prophet and Founder, S.B.J. Oshoffa. Following a divine visitation then, Pastor Oshoffa immediately established a hegemony at the top of the church administration.
Like the great prophets of old, Pastor S.B.J Oshoffa, had a 40-days divine revelation in the forest of Dahomey, after which he was commissioned to do signs and wonders. Although then, a local carpenter by training, his prayers of deliverance and healing of the sick, who came to him in droves and the occasional raising of the dead alongside the liberation of the oppressed, made people from all over West Africa, from Dahomey to the slums of Makoko in Lagos to seek after him. He never for once disappointed! This surprised so many of his friends and people who hitherto knew him as a carpenter. He thereafter began to do exploits in the land of the living.
Without leaving the shores of West Africa, Pastor S.B.J. Oshoffa’s fame spread world-wide, as this was not the time of the internet
While alive, his activities posed a great threat to the kingdom of darkness, as he began to raise a congregation of angelic army that spread the good news globally. That is why in most capitals of the world today, you must find one or two Celestial Church parishes, if not parishes.
But just like every living mortal before him who must test death, Pastor S.B.J. Oshoffa died at the age of 76 years. His global followers were thrown into grief, mourning and sorrow, when his death was announced in the morning of September 15, 1985, as a result of a road accident.
His death immediately opened another page and era in the history of the Celestial Church of Christ, CCC Worldwide.
In the past 37 years, the story of CCC worldwide has been full of drama, intense rivalry and intrigue. Just when one expects the end of one episode another opens. This invariably resulted in the huge cracks in the once united Celestial Church Empire, the late Pastor Founder Oshoffa, left behind.
It was therefore not a surprise, at some point in the church history, Celestial Church of Christ paraded different factions that seemed only united by the white garment uniform church congregation wore and nothing more. At some point there were several litigations in various courts in the land. This became a course for concern, as people began to ask, why law courts are the only avenue to restore law and order among supposedly ‘Saints’?
In March, 2001 in the midst of this acrimonious and tense situation, Pastor Philip Hunsu Ajose, who was the then Pastor of CCC worldwide died. In December of the following year 2002, His Eminence
the church affairs and growth.
“As we speak, we have church Diocese across the world. Just to mention a few, we have the United Kingdom, America, Canada and Italy Dioceses of Celestial Church of Christ, these are foreign countries based Dioceses, who made contributions to the affairs of the church just as we have numerous local Diocese, who equally make their daily contributions to how the church is run. Each head of these Dioceses foreign or local, make their contributions directly to the church headquarters, where final decisions on matters concerning the church are taken daily. In spite of this, we have six reconstituted committees, who look into various issues such as security, finances, administration and what have you. All these innovations have brought about purposeful leadership in the church.
“With all these improvements, splinter groups began to retrace their steps. His Eminence, Reverend Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa, as Pastor and Spiritual Head, of the Celestial Church of Christ worldwide, is never known for frivolities. He readmits these people back into the family without asking any question or questions, so long as they are ready to abide by the rules and regulations that have been guiding the church for decades now. And for anyone to be truly aligned with the CCC worldwide, such a person must as a matter of fact, recognize the leadership of CCC from Makoko-to Ketu and to Imeko, these are where the church authorities lie.
“One thing that is strongly going for the Celestial Church of Christ today is the open door policy of our present head of church. He is very accessible
and welcoming. It was this attitude that recently led to the re-integration of four Parishes in Abuja into the CCC worldwide fold.
“The present head of CCC worldwide, is working very hard and envisaging at the end of the day, to further expand the population of CCC in Nigeria for example from an estimated 15 million and the population of CCC members from its estimated 17.5 million members worldwide to a much larger number.
“His Eminence Reverend Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa, as Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Celestial Church of Christ worldwide, is a known advocate for unity and peaceful running of CCC activities worldwide. To many youths in the church today, he serves as their mentor, role model, counselor, and a father. His impeccable character and relationship with people around him is something a lot of Shepherd and other members should emulate.
“He intends to bequeath one united, stronger Celestial Church of Christ worldwide that will be universally accepted as one united body of Christ.”
His Eminence Reverend Emmanuel Oshoffa, as Pastor and Spiritual Head, of the Celestial Church of Christ worldwide, is the eldest son of Prophet Pastor and Founder of CCC worldwide, S.B.J. Oshoffa.
Pastor Mobiyina was born on December 25th 1948 at Kpave then Dahomey but now known as the Republic of Benin. His name Mobiyina literally translated as “I have given birth to this” was an attestation to the fact that his late father, Pastor SBJ Oshoffa, gave birth to other children, which did not live. Thus compelling him to hinge his hope on God, for Pastor Emmanuel’s survival.
…to be continued
… Omonhinmin is the publisher of The Trumphet
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