The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Christian community to pray for longevity of life for church leaders following the demise of three religious leaders in quick succession.
The Christian body made the call on Monday in a statement by the Special Assisitant on Media to CAN’s President, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji.
TheFact Nigeria reports that Christian Pentecostal Mission ( CPM) had lost it’s General Overseer, Rev, Obiora Ezekiel on Friday at the age of
78.
On Friday, November 12, the widow of the former General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev, Yinka Badejo, died at the age of 72 after a brief illness.
Two weeks ago, wife of the the senior pastor of Fountain of Life church, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya died after battling cancer for two years.
CAN said their demise has created a big vacuum that will be felt by their immediate families, the church and the nation in general.
According to the statement, “ CAN described the demise of both the General Overseer of Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM), Rev. Dr. Obiora Ezekiel, Pastor Mrs Badejo, the wife of the late General Overseer of Four Square Gospel Church and Pastor Nomthi Odukoya, wife of the Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Taiwo Odukoya, as big losses whose vacuum would be greatly felt by their families, the church in Nigeria and our nation Nigeria because of the life of impact they lived.
“CAN which observes with pains and regrets that some key leaders of the Body of Christ are relocating to the great beyond unexpectedly, calls on Christians to be praying for protection and long life for the Church leaders to be able to fulfill their callings.
“We commiserate with Pastor Odukoya on the recent Home Call of his dear wife after a protracted battle with cancer and we pray for divine comfort and consolation.
“The Lord will not let her relocation stop the assignment given to him but instead help him to rise up against the challenge in Jesus’ name. The seeming sad event will turn out for good as the Lord promised us in Romans 8:28 in Jesus’ name.
“While we are yet to come out of the shock of the demise of Pastor Nomthi, another great Servant of God, a Teacher of teachers, a Pastor of Pastors, a mentor to many and a Father of many giants of faith, Rev Dr Obiorah Ezekiel joined the Saints Triumphant. He was among the Founding Fathers of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) where he provided leadership with impeccable integrity.
“May God Himself comfort his wife, Rev. Dr. Mrs Mercy Ezekiel, his church and ministry, Christ Pentecostal Mission (CPM), and the leadership of PFN.
“Dr. Obiorah Ezekiel was not only an Evangelist per excellence but he was also an epitome of integrity, transparency, power, prayers, discipline, signs and wonders till his last minute on this planet. This is why he was fondly called the ‘Demon Bulldozer.’ To us as the umbrella body of all churches in the country, his relocation came when his wisdom and godly counsels are still needed.
“Our consolation is that he slept in the Lord whom he served till he breathed his last. Once again, our hearts go to his faithful, committed and dedicated wife, our Mother, Rev Dr Mercy Ezekiel, the biological and spiritual children and the Church he left behind. May God sustain and keep them under His watch in Jesus Name.
“Our condolences go to the Four Square Gospel Church and the children of Mrs Yinka Badejo, wife of the late General Overseer of Four Square Gospel Church who went to be with the Lord on November 12, 2021 barely three months after the transition to glory of her husband, Rev. Dr. Wilson Badejo.
“We have decided not to sorrow as unbelievers because we know there is life of eternal glory and splendor after death for those who believe in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Death is the beginning of a better life, it is of course described in the Scripture as gain!
“May the Lord watch over the rest of us and help us to live everyday of our lives to the glory of his name in Jesus’ name,” the statement said.
