2024 Report of District Superintendent's Visit to Ogun East Area

REPORT OF D.S VISIT TO OGUN EAST AREA

NOVEMBER 8 – 12, 2024

THE TEAM

A team comprising Brother Isaac Adigun, Sister Stella Adigun, Brother Bode Odulaja and Brother Emmanuel Ajobiewe from the WECA headquarters in Lagos made a mission trip to Ogun East Area of our work. Brother Funso Shobowale, the Area of our work in Oyo Area and the wife, joined the team from Ibadan on Saturday.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8

The team arrived Ijebu-Ode, the Area headquarters to a rousing reception by the Area Overseer, Brother Aderemi Oke, few ministers and members, including elementary children singing a welcome song. This was followed by presentation of bouquet by one of the children.

Once inside the church, there was a brief reception starting with a short children’s programme, two choir songs, congregational singing and an opening prayer. The Area overseer then gave a brief welcome address. In his response, the District Superintendent expressed his happiness and joy to be back to his root, stating, “this is where I started from”, to the delight of everyone present. Thereafter, there was a closing song, closing prayer and a tour of the church and environ.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9

At 10am, Sunday School teachers from around Ogun East Area gathered for the teachers conference. After the conference, a meeting was held with the teachers, where a number of issues bothering on effective teaching-learning process were covered.

After a brief recess, a meeting with all ministers from the Area was also conducted. Topics such as unity, denominational characteristics, platform decorum, ministerial confidentiality, conflict resolution, retirement, sexual misconduct policy and others were highlighted.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 10

Ministers, teachers and workers started arriving the prayer room early in the morning, for a prayer session before the commencement of the Sunday school at 9am. There was a short children’s programme to welcome the DS and his entourage to the Area. The children sang songs and recited memory verses highlighting God’s promises for His servant.

The morning devotional service started at 10:45am. The choir prelude started with a violin solo, “Nearer my God to Thee”, beautifully played by Sister Wemimo Ogunnaike. A choir rendition, “Great is the Lord” followed and then the youth choir sang “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand”.

For the first special, the choir sang “How Excellent” composed by Ken Garrison, after which the Scripture Reading, which was selected from Luke 8: 43 – 49 was taken. The second special, “We have Enlisted in the Gospel”, which preceded the sermon was sang by a quartet.

For the sermon, Brother Isaac took his text from Psalms 118:24. He encouraged the congregation that “today can make a great difference in your life”, emphasizing that this is the day the Lord has made.

He stated that, though the children of Israel spent 430 years in captivity, the day of their release eventually arrived. He also cited the example of the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years who received healing on a ‘particular day’. Giving his personal testimony on how God saved him at the then Government Trade Centre in Ijebu Ode, he encouraged all young people present in their teeming numbers to seek God. The invitation to prayer saw many people trooping to the altar to seek God’s blessings.

After the morning devotional service, a meeting of all categories of workers was convened. Duties of a good gospel workers were reinforced at the meeting.

A meeting of students of higher institutions in and around Ijebu Ode was also held. Brother Isaac used the opportunity to tell his testimony to the teaming young people and encouraged them that if they would commit their lives to God, He will mold their lives into what He wants them to be and they will be instruments in the His hand.

VISITS TO BRANCH CHURCHES AND INSTITUTIONS

A major part of activities on this mission trip was the visits to several branch churches and institutions in Ogun East Area of our work. The visits started immediately after the series of meetings on Sunday as well as the lunchtime that followed and continued on Monday and up until Tuesday, on the way back to Lagos. It was a heavily loaded schedule. 

At every place, children of God eagerly waited for the arrival of the DS and his team. There were welcome formalities and inspection of facilities at every branch. Admonitions, advices and suggestions on how to move the work forward were offered. Many of the churches are in various staged of completion needing the support of all God’s children, both in prayers and donations. Prayers were offered at every location before departure. The following places were visited.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 10

1. ÌJẸ̀BÚ IGBÓ – headquarters of Ijebu Igbo zone

2. KẸ́ẸGBỌ́ – this is another within Ijebu Igbo

3. AGỌ́ ÌWÒYE –   Students from Olabisi Onabanjo University worship here

MONDAY NOVEMBER 11

1. Apostolic Faith Secondary School, Ijebu Ode

2. Apostolic Faith Nursery & Primary School, Ijebu Ode

3. Government College of Science and technology formerly Government Trade Center the team visited the plumbing department where Bro. Isaac finished from. He seized the opportunity to have a chat with the students and prayed with them.

4. OGBOGBO - home town of first Africa Overseer Bro. T. G. Oshokoya as well as  Bro. Hector Elebute 

5. IJEBU-IMUSHIN – headquarters of Ijebu-Imushin zone 

6. EPE – started in 1995 

7. MOJODA - where a sister was kidnapped. 

TEUSDAY NOVEMBER 12

1. IDOKOSI – an extension of Ilisan, hometown of late Sister Esther Ogunfowomu. There are three locations within Ilisan environ.

➢ Downtown – current worship center but small 

➢ Idokosi – about 3 acres of land

➢ Irolu Road – a piece of land already fenced and gated. 

2. IPERU REMO - the children's hall being used for services now. However, the foundation for main church is already laid 

3. SAGAMU – headquarters of Sagamu zone. This is a big, beautifully finished church

GALLERY