THE CHURCH HISTORY: AJEROMI PROVINCE
Church of God Mission Int’l Inc Ajeromi province was established in march, 1981 in a public school located at Iyalode Street here in Ajegunle.
In keeping with the legislation of the Federal Govt. against church services being held in public schools; the church was relocated to No. 28 Oduduwa Street with a membership of eight adults and nine children.
However, the church was pioneered by Rev. Gbensere and was assisted by Pastor J. Nosika before his exit to a different church. It is worthy of note and interest to know the pioneer members as stated below:
Rev. Gbensere Head Pastor
Pastor J. Nosika Assist. Pastor
Bro. D. Akpeti Member
Bro Paul Member
Sister Sina Nwachukwu Member
Sister Regina Benatari Member
Sister Nosika Member
Sister Gbensere Member
Meanwhile, as the church was growing in membership, the church again, relocated from No. 28 Oduduwa Street to No. 23 Aroworade Street still under the supervision of Rev. Gbensere before his transfer in 1985.
In 1985, Rev. G.I. Touns was transferred to the church to take over from his predecessor, who also did his best to keep the flag of progress flying before he was transferred in 1991.
In 1991, Rev J.O. Ogeh took over the baton of leadership and made a tremendous progress both in spiritual and numerical strength. At this point, Aroworade was becoming too small an arena viza-viz the size of the auditorium.
Furthermore, in view of the above Rev. J. Ogeh initiated the move to search for a permanent place to purchase, and the very present location on which the church is built today, was bought by him in 1993. He Pastored the church from 1991—1995
In 1995, Rev. Mike. Okodhi who was Rev. Ogeh’s assistant took over from him. In line with his vision to develop the church further, he established the “word of faith group of schools in 1997; an initiative that prompted some of our members to bring their children to the school. In fact, all of them are well placed today. He presided over the church between 1995—2000.
As part of the mission’s policy to rotate her pastors in all the branches, Rev. Mattew Egwowa was transferred in 2000 to this province which was then a district. Before his arrival, the membership growth of the church was shackled and manacled by the devil. In his visionary experience, through the grace of God, he was able to move the church growth to an enviable status before his transfer again in 2002.
In his short stay, he was able to purchase a bus and medium size generator for the church. He is currently the bishop of Lagos bishopric.
As a replacement, in 2002, Rev. Emmanuel Aziakpono was transferred to the church. In his human possible capacity, he upgraded the “Word of Faith Group of Schools to Jss-Sss levels.
It is interesting to note, that the then district headquarter was upgraded to provincial headquarter in his tenure. He initiated the celebration of silver jubilee (25years) before his transfer to Cgmi in warri. He presided over the church between 2002—2007. He is currently a national presbyter.
Haven’t achieved this feat, Rev Usman Habib was moved to the province in 2007. It would be recalled, that Rev. Habib was and still a man of many visions; he established the church and the school offices to their present status from their old shadows. In furtherance of his initiative, he went in search of a land to relocate “Word of Faith Group of Schools” for more expansion. However this initiative was truncated by his oversea trip for his academic pursuit. He was able to supervised the church between 2007-2010.
Please note that the church went through the good, the bad, and the ugly in her present transition to yet another transition in a Greater Glory—a reflection of 2015 thanksgiving theme. Space and time will not permit me to mention the coronated and denigrated circumstances and scenario the church went through, which was orchestrated by the so called mythological semi – divine maiden with her hubris.
The elucidation of the above was deliberately omitted to avoid stepping on the toes of perceived enemies or personalities.
In line with the ongoing story, Rev James Friday took over the baton of leadership in 2010, in an acting capacity of a National Presbyter. Before his arrival, the church was thrown into a near perpetual or permanent wilderness experience for which the grace of God unfolded its capacity for Rev. Friday to restore the church to enviable and emulative level.
In view of the enormous church problems he came to solve, members came with their various personal problems for him to handle. Indeed, he was able to solve their problems one by one. His little moment of stay left a mark of wonderful result on the sand of the church history. His tenure was between 2010—2011.
In keeping with the policies of the mission to maintain peace and tranquility in the church, Rev. Dele Soyemi was transferred to put in place a sustainable palliative measure to the church membership. In his tenure, he was able to lay to rest the ugly head of the wilderness experience till date. This, he was able to do between 2011—2015.
CAPACITY BUILDING
History of the church will not be complete without the mention of the calibre of the personalities the church raised.
Rev. Lamai Mcquen, who was then a deacon and coordinator of Lagos east zone, was moved from this church to start Ojodu branch now a Province.
Bishop Mike Okonji who is now presiding over a church in UK was trained in this church before his exit.
Elder Emeka Okwuonu now apostle in his church was a Sunday school superintendent and also served in various capacities before he received a new mandate from God. He is presently the overseer of His current church.
Rev. Prosper Efe now a district Presbyter in Cgmi Igando Branch was brought up here. Before his exit, he was one of the executives of the existing Men’s Fellowship.
Pastor Joseph Ibeagbode who was the treasurer of the church committee was raised here. Today he is presiding over C.G.M.I Aiyetoro branch Ijaniki here in Lagos.
A host of other members trained and groomed here are scattered all over Nigeria and in Diasporas
The matrix below indicates a broad view of head pastors and their associates
HEAD PASTORS ASSOCIATE PASTORS
Rev. Gbensere Pastor J. Nosika
Rev.G.I Toums Pastor D. Kiyesi
Rev.J.O Ogeh Pastor Godspower Oti
Rev. Mike Okodhi Pastor E. Aifuwa
Rev. M Egowa Pastor Samuel Oridofe
Rev. E. Aziakpono Pastor Samuel Oridofe
Rev. Usman Habib Rev.E.Ogbuji
Rev. Friday James Rev. Samuel Oriodofe & Rev. Daniel Idiagi
Rev. Dele Soyemi Rev. Daniel Idiagi & Pastor M. Nana
Rev. M. Atchor Rev. Daniel Idiagi
The followings are the associate pastor’s who assisted in the running affairs of the church.
Pastor Okorobiebe
Pastor Okwese
Pastor Okagidi
Pastor A. Beyor
Pastor Obasi
Pastor G. Opara
Pastor Ogbeda
Pastor Okweke
CHURCH PLANTING
In her expansion bid, the under mentioned branches were established and headed by the following pastors.
1. C.G.M—Mushin Pastor G. Opara
2. C.G.M – Ojudo Rev. M. Lamai
3. C.G.M – Suru Rev D. Ukor.
4. C.G.M—Ladipo Bro Pius
5. C.G.M—Okorogbo Pastor Idahosa.
note that all the branches opened, except Suru and Okorogbo branches, the rest have been moved to other province due to restructuring of the area,
Finally, the church was dedicated to the Glory of God on the 27th December, 1997 by his Lordship Rev. J.I. Ojo. Presently, the church is being pastored by Rev. Atchor Mattew with the assistance of Rev. Daniel E. Idiagi as the Resident Pastor.
Rev. Atchor Mathew is currently the Head Pastor of Church Of God Mission International, Ajeromi provincial Head Quarter.
Rev. Atchor Mathew became the Head Pastor in May 2015 and ever since then He has been able to take the Church Activities to a greater height by introducing various Church programs and concept such as
The Hankerchief
Morning Dew
Movement of the Ark
Couples Outing
Young Professional Fellowship ( YPF )
Fathers Day Celebration
Mothers Day Celebration
