To God be the glory for the journey so far. The rearing of a child from birth to an adulthood of twenty-five (25) years is in no small measure, a herculean task. So also is the journey of a church of God from tutelage to a silver jubilee age of twenty-five years. Unless the Lord builds a house its builder labour in vain. (Psalm 127:1a). God gives graciously the power to his Anointed (Solomon) to build a house for him and to raise sheep for his vineyard. Thus in a mysterious and wonderful ways, God began the race of what is known today as Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church (Ayo Ni O) Surulere District, Abeokuta Branch, Onikoko, Abeokuta. One could hardly believe that students who under normal circumstance, are expected to face their studies could become useful vessels for God.
The spiritual background and training being offered to members of Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church (Ayo Ni O) Surulere District were advantageous for offshoots of the church who got admission into the then Ogun State Polytechnic when they started a bible fellowship in early 1988 right inside their hostel. It all started like a child’s play at Iyana-Oloke, Onikolobo, Abeokuta by a formidable team of young and vibrant student members in the likes of:
- Sister Bukola Ewulomi (Now Mrs Bukola Sogbayike)
- Sister Ranti Ewulomi
- Sister Toyin Fajinmi (Now Mrs Toyin Ogunsakin)
- Sister Fehintola Tubo (Now Mrs Fehintola Adeyemi)
- Sister Biola Oyetubo
- Sister Adeola Kayode
Under the able leadership of sister Bolaji Adeyemi, the strong interest of new members that joined inspired these founding sisters to contact an Elder at Surulere Sub-headquarters (Late Teacher P. Ewulomi) who paid for the first rented apartment (a flat) which they used for their Bible Fellowship. Later, these students requested for financial assistance from the Mother Church (Lagos) at the expiration of their tenancy at Tosin Hostel, Iyan-Oloke, Onikolobo, Abeokuta. Arrangements were concluded for another accommodation at Onikolobo, a building which was later occupied by egba Community Bank.
As Satan is an enemy of Evangelism, in September, 1989 when the lease eexpired, the caretaker irrationally increased the rent which the fellowship could not afford. Teacher Ewulomi was again contacted by the students, but referred them to Surulere District Affairs Committee. For improved management and rapid growth, Surulere District Affairs took over the supervision of the fellowship completely.
The inspiration was high in the year 1989 to the extent that the small group became known throughout the length and breadth of Abeokuta. Thus other members that joined in 1989 were as follow:
- Sister Joke Solomon
- Brother George Olaniyonu
- Brother Mike Alberto
- Sister Laide Bakare (Now Mrs Bankole USA)
- Brother Yomi Oladapo
- Sister Simbolo Ogunfiminiwa
- Sister Dupe Oduwole (Now Mrs Nwadi USA)
- Brother Dotun Sonde
- Brother Adekunle Adekoya
- Sister Biola Adeniregun
- Sister Yemi Ogunyemi
- Brother Tolu Sonaike
- Sister Adeola Adejuwon
- Brother Femi Adekanmbi
As the work of God progressed, Satan also was in action. There were complaints from neighbors that the Fellowship used to disturb the community with her service activities. That necessitated the Fellowship’s movement from Tosin Hostel to Onikolobo road near Peakmark. The Fellowship continues to grow from strength to strength at Onikolobo. Hence, in 1989, the first Harvest Anniversary was held. No sooner that the harvest was celebrated, the Land-Lord of Onikolobo apartment increased the house rent astronomically which the young Church could not afford. Eventually, the place of worship was locked up. Delegates from the Church then contacted Sp/Ap. J.A. Toriola on the new development which deprived the congregation of their place of worship. The church District Affairs Committee members then came to Abeokuta for on the spot assessment. Those that came to Abeokuta included Sp/Ap. J.A. Toriola, Sp/Ap. I.P. Olusoga, Sp/Ap. O.A. Fagbemi, Teacher G.O. Fajemirokun and Evangelist I.A. Famodimu.
On their arrival, a report of the situation was made at Oke-igbein Police Station and a Police Officer was instructed to follow the team to the site. Under the supervision of the Police Officer, a welder was mandated to dislodge the Iron pad-lock and the members gained entrance into the apartment to pack the Church properties. As a commitment to the work of God, Sp/Ap. J.A. Toriola and his entourage carried benches, chairs, drums, bells, wall clock and other movables to late Sp/Ap. F.O. Oyelola’s uncompleted residence at Ibara Housing Estate (GRA) on 27th September 1989. During this trying period, services were suspended aand in January 1990, services resumed accordingly. The Church forged ahead and there was day to day increase in the number of Christ worshippers. However, satanic forces were at work again during the Church’s sojourn at Ibara GRA when neighbours complained to the Police that a Church was not supposed to be set up at a GRA. The Police authorities came and advised that the Church should be relocated to another area.
At this trying period of the Church development, Evang. I.A. Famodimu was appointed by the Leadership of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Surulere Lagos as the Leader-in-charge of the growing Church. Through the new Leader’s relentless efforts, the present site, at Oba Lipede Estate, Onikoko, in which we are today, was acquired and its use as a place of worship commended in 1990.
Through the unflinching support of God, our Branch was graciously granted Circuit Headquarters having under her Abeokuta Branch, Ilaro Branch and Ilepa Branch. Also, Abeokuta Branch has established four chapels situated Soyoye, Ajura, Ibu-Alufa and Gbonnagun. Ibu-Alufa and Ajura Chapels were established in May & June 2009 respectively, Gbonnagun Chapel in January 2010 while Soyoye was inaugurated in January 2011.
Some special events also came into lime-light. One of such was the 10th year anniversary and Dedication of the Church Building held in October 2000 tagged “Glory 2000”. Another major event that took place in the history of the Church was the Re-dedication of the Church in year 2008 carried out by the Conference Chairman (Baba Aladura) Most Revd Dr. (Pro) Samuel Adefila Abidoye.
Presently the Church is being run as 3-in-1 fold. That is the Main Church, Youth Chapel and Children Ministry.
CURRENT CHURCH OFFICERS
- SP. AP. IDOWU ALADE FAMODIMU ---------------- Leader-in-Charge
- M/S/AP. ABIODUN KELANI ADEBAYO ------------ Deputy Leader
- M/S/AP. AKANJI SAMUEL OLAOGUN---------------Church Secretary
- M/S/AP. ADEYEMI ADEKUNLE ADEWOLE--------Deputy Church Secretary
- M/S/AP. ISAAC OJO AROKUN---------------------------Treasurer
- M/S/AP. LEKE DOHERTY ---------------------------------BCU Chairman
- AP. PETER OKUTUBO--------------------------------------Youth Chairman
- AP. YEMI ONIYIDE -----------------------------------------Youth Secretary
- M/S/M/I/I (PASTOR) ITUNU ODERINDE------------Children Ministry Coordinator
- S/AP. FEMI OJEDOKUN-----------------------------------Ajura & Alufa Chapels Coordiantor
- M/S/AP. SOJI BANKO BELLO --------------------------Gbonnagun Chapel Coordinator
- S/AP. (PASTOR) MICHAEL ASE----------------------- -Soyoye Chapel Coordinator
- TEACHER LEKAN SOYOYE------------------------------Youth Shepherd
- S/M/I/I ADEJUMOKE O. ADEWOLE ---------------- -Deputy Youth Shepherd
- APOSTLE LAWRENCE O. FAPOHUNDA------------Head Evangelical Ministry
- APOSTLE SAMSON ADEBAYO IDOWU ------------Choir Master
- TEACHER GBOLAHAN DAWODU -------------------Head Wardens
- S/L/L PROPHETESS O.O. OLADIMEJI---------------Head Council of Prophets/Prophetess/Daniel Band
PIONEER MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH
MALE
- GEORGE OLANIYONU
- DAPO OPAYINKA
- OLUSAYO ADEYEMI
- ALPHEN SAMUEL
- WOLE ALOMO
- FEMI OPAYINKA
- OLAWALE TORIOLA
- JIDE TORIOLA
- DOTUN SONDE
- TOLU SONOIKI
- GBENGA OPARINDE
- WOLE FAJIMI
- DANIEL BISI OBASAN
- IDOWU ALADE FAMODIMU
- TUNJI SULAIMAN
FEMALE
- BOLAJI ADEYEMI
- TOYIN FAJIMI
- FEHINTOLA TUBO
- ABIOLA ADENIREGUN
- OLUWAKEMI KUTI
- RANTI EWULOMI
- YINKA ODUNUGA
- ABIOLA OYETUBO
- YENUNI OLATIGBE
- YINKA OGUNSANWO
- ADEKOLU TOYIN
- MODUPEOLA KAYODE
- YINKA BAKARE
- MOJI AINA
- LARA DASAOLU
- RANTI ELEGBEDE
- ABISOLA OLUWA
- HOPE ADEOGUN
- BUKOLA SOGBAIKE (NEE EWULOMI)
CONCLUSION
To God belongs all the glory and adoration for strongly standing behind us and progressively bringing us to this historic Silver Jubilee Year of our great Church.
Our mouths are full of thanks and praises to Almighty God, who is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Majesty of all Majesties.
You are worthy to be praised. Reigneth on.
Long Live Abeokuta Branch
Long Live Abeokuta Circuit
Long Live Surulere District
Long Live C&S Movement Church (Ayo Ni O)! |
