*“The Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide is waxing stronger and better than the way my father left it 40 years ago. The church has intensified in winning souls for Christ and helping the needy in society, especially in the areas of education, healthcare, and empowerment”-son, Olatosho Oshoffa
*“CCC today represents the true image of Christendom. It stands for the true teachings of Jesus Christ. We are the only white garment church in the world with strong branches and active establishments in all the continents”-AVSE Kayode Ajala, JP, Head, Media & Publicity, CCC Worldwide
*“Pa Oshoffa: a man of many parts- a Pastor, a Prophet, an Evangelist, a philanthropist, and an enigma. He truly loved God and worked selflessly for mankind. He won so many souls for Christ and God performed many miracles through him. And as a matter of fact, his memory lives on in our minds. So, we cannot but celebrate him”– Chairman of the Anniversary Ceremonial Committee, Pastor Abayomi Ilori
*BY DR. GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/Executive Editor & Group Managing Director, NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER Inc USA
In celebration of a life well spent of the founder the largest white garment church in the globe, Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Worldwide members of the press were invited to witness the 40th year Remembrance Anniversary of Prophet, Pastor, Saint Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa, a man who devoted himself totally to the service of God and loved the Lord till he had his last breath.
All the virtues of the late founder of CCC were brought to the public at the International Headquarters of the church in Ketu, Lagos State a few days ago.
Making this revelation was one of the sons of the late founder, Olatosho Oshoffa, on Tuesday in Lagos, who declared that CCC is waxing stronger and better than the way his father left it 40 years ago.
The historic ceremony happened at a news conference to kick-start the 40th anniversary of the demise of his late father, who passed away in 1985 when he (Olatosho) was just 15 years old.
For the records, Pastor Oshoffa officially established CCC at 38 and passed away at 76.
Olatosho, who is now a shepherd of the international headquarters of the church in Ketu area of Lagos, explained that even though there were some challenges faced by the church after the demise of the founder came out of those challenges stronger and better.
According to him, CCC has spread across all the continents of the world, including Australia and America.
“The church has intensified in winning souls for Christ and helping the needy in society, especially in the areas of education, healthcare, and empowerment.
“The church is also united and more committed to evangelism, which the founder was passionate about when he was alive, and that is why we can celebrate him even in death.
“CCC also remains as one of the most significant and fastest-growing indigenous African churches with millions of followers across the globe.”
Olatosho, however, urged Nigerians to join the church to celebrate his late father, whose legacy he said transcends beyond religions, tribes, and colors.
Elucidating on the reforms in the church, one of Nigeria’s most respected journalists, AVSE Kayode Ajala, JP, Head, Media & Publicity, CCC Worldwide, he said “CCC today represents the true image of Christendom. It stands for the true teachings of Jesus Christ. We are the only white garment church in the world with strong branches and active establishments in all the continents”.
Addressing journalists earlier, the Chairman of the Anniversary Ceremonial Committee, Pastor Abayomi Ilori, underscored the importance of the anniversary, saying it’s, indeed, to celebrate Pa Oshoffa’s legacy and the great transformation the church has witnessed in the past forty years.
He described Pa Oshoffa as a man of many parts- a Pastor, a Prophet, an Evangelist, a philanthropist, and an enigma.
He said the late cleric “Truly loved God and worked selflessly for mankind.
“He won so many souls for Christ and God performed many miracles through him. “And as a matter of fact, his memory lives on in our minds. So, we cannot but celebrate him.”
Pastor Ilori, however, gave the highlights of the event, which will last for up to six weeks, including but not limited to colloquium, football match, evangelism, crusade, service of songs, and thanksgiving service.
He said each of the events, especially the thanksgiving service, would be held at both the international headquarters of the church in Ketu and Imeko in Ogun State, Pa Oshoffa’s mother’s hometown, where his remains were buried.
Recalling how the church founder died after his involvement in a car accident on September 10, 1985, Ilori said “Pa Oshoffa was initially taken to the hospital and seemed to be recovering, but upon hearing that his driver and other passengers had died, he reportedly asked God to take his life so that no one would accuse him of using them to lengthen his own life and he passed away shortly after.
Ilori added that it is the first son of the late founder, Rev Pastor Emmanuel Friday Oshoffa, who is currently overseeing the affairs of the church globally.
He said all CCC members worldwide are involved in the celebration.
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