Celica Church, Ibadan, Celebrates 33rd Adult Harvest Thanksgiving In Grand Style

 

The 33^rd Adult Harvest Thanksgiving service of the Celica Church of Christ International Headquarters, Ibadan, may have been held a few days ago, but the beautiful memories it left in the hearts of everyone that attended will linger on for a long time to come. It was not only a colourfuil gathering, it was also an incredibly soul lifting experience, particularly for those who attended for the first time.

Founded by His Holiness, Reverend Adetunji Adeonigbagbe, one of the most respected men of God in the land today, the church’s annual Thanksgiving service has always been one of its stand out celebrations for the year. It attracts distinguished guests and members from other branches of the church. Different group heads from within the church often step out with their crowd of friends and well wishers and they dance together in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. This year’s edition was no different. The turn out was impressive as the entire church auditorium was filled to the brim.

GREAT PERFORMANCE BY THE HOSSANA GOLDEN VOICES

The choir ministration done by the church’s Hossana Golden Voices, was simply amazing. Many agreed their ministration was breathtaking. They sounded like the Angels had descended from heaven to sing to the church. They got every note right and one could tell the effect their ministration had on the congregation, everyone was on their feet dancing.

One of the standout singers of the group was the elegant looking Prophetess Oluwatobiloba. She was everyone’s favourite singer. It wasn’t just that she has one of the most beautiful voices you probably have ever heard, Tobi has such a powerful yet sonorous voice that has the ability to melt even a heart made of stone when she sings to the Lord. And her ability to flow from one song to another seamlessly without breaking the tempo she already set is perhaps one of her biggest strength. Indeed, Tobiloba adds an extra quality to the Hossana Golden Voices.

GRAND ARRIVAL OF FOUNDER, PROPHET ADEONIGBAGBE AND THE SUPREME HEAD OF CELICA

The minute his convoy drove into church premises, the entire atmosphere, both within and outside the church changed. You could tell that the personality everyone was looking for had arrived. Such was the effect His Holiness, Prophet Adetunji Adeonigbagbe, had on the ceremony the very minute he stepped out of the vehicle that conveyed him to the church.

As he stepped inside the auditorium with the Supreme Head, Reverend Samuel Olujimi Adeonigbagbe right in front of him, members lined up by the side of the aisle to receive blessings from both the founder and the Supreme Head. With the melodious rendition of the Hossana Golden Voices accompanying their entry, there was excitement in the air, yet everywhere was calm. That was an important moment everyone had been waiting for.  

No doubt it, the founder, Reverend Adetunji Adeonigbagbe is hugely loved by the church. His simplicity, dedication to the work of God, immense love for his members and his effective spiritual guidance are some of the reasons why every member of the Celica church loves him very dearly. He is father to all, his doors are always open to all who come seeking to speak with him. He has no preference for who should see him and who should not, every member of the church is important to him, their collective well being is his priority. Little wonder why they don't joke with him.   

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SPECIAL GUESTS

After the church’s Anthem had been rendered by the very impressive Hossana Golden Voices, and the Thanksgiving offering taken out of the way, Reverend Adeonigbagbe quickly acknowledged the presence of some very special guests which included members of his secondary school’s Old Students Association and some very eminent elders of the church who have been with the church for several years running.

DADDY REMEMBERS LATE WIFE, REVEREND AGNES ADEONIGBAGBE

While acknowledging those who have been instrumental to the growth and success of the Celica Church of Christ, Reverend Adeonigbagbe took time to reveal to the congregation the sort of role his late wife, Reverend Agnes Adeonigbagbe played in his life and in the success story of the church and why he will forever continue to honour her till the day he takes his last breath on earth.

He narrated the story of how someone had brought to him the sum of N5.6million in 1980. He was excited about the money but the late wife wasn’t, she was very worried. She was scared. She insisted that God didn’t tell her they were going to be very rich over night. She reminded her husband that what God said was that they were going to become fairly comfortable in life by slowly and steadily building one’s fortunes bit by bit. She insisted he should pray about the money, that there was something about it that troubled her spirit. Reluctantly, after consulting with senior pastors who also assured him there was nothing wrong with the money, he went into prayers and what he saw in his dream as he went to bed that night shocked him. A hunch back man appeared to him in his sleep. He was warning him not to touch the money, that it was blood money and that he was the one that was killed to make the money from which the person gave him the N5.6million.

If not for his wife, he would’ve been a dead man today. He would’ve paid the ultimate price for a crime he knew nothing about. But his beloved wife saved him. He remains ever grateful for her long years of support and sacrifice to ensure that Celica Church of Christ became the international ministry it has become today.

VANITY UPON VANITY, ALL IS VANITY

The above title was the theme of Daddy’s message at the 33^rd Adult Harvest of the church. He warned that, as Christians, we must imbibe the spirit of giving and doing good unto others. He emphasised that no one must feel disappointed because he or she has not been rewarded for his or her good deeds. He advises that we must continue to rejoice before God for he is the one that knows the appropriate time to repay everyone according to their deeds. Using himself as an example, Reverend Adeonigbagbe revealed how he has benefitted immensely from doing good unto others. And he says he will never stop giving. 

Emphatically, he warns, we must never expect that everyone you do good to will repay you with kindness. In most cases, it is total strangers who repay you for the kindness you have shown others without getting any appreciation. He advised that we must never give up on doing good unto others. And for those whom God has blessed beyond measure, they should never fail to reach out to the needy around them, for we came to this world with nothing and shall return with nothing. All of the mighty mansions and expensive automobiles that we acquired while alive, we shall leave behind when we depart from the earth for it is all vanity upon vanity! 

AGAIN, DADDY EXPRESSES ANGER AT THOSE DISRESPECTING THE NAME OF PA OSHOFFA AND OTHERS

Just like he expressed at the 31^st Adult Harvest and Thanksgiving service at the national headquarters of the Celica Church at Olowora, Lagos few Sundays ago, Reverend Adetunji Adeonigbagbe once again reiterated his displeasure at the way and manner some members of the Celestial Church of Christ dishonour the name of the founder, Samuel Bilewu Oshoffa. He reminded everyone how the great man of God, Bilewu Oshoffa, along with two other great anointed men of God, Moses Orimolade of Cherubim and Seraphim and Ayo Babalola of the Christ Apostolic Church, all came together to hand over to him the staff of authority, urging him to proceed on his spiritual journey. He declared that for this reason, he would never stand by and watch anyone disrespect these three Iconic men of God and he is willing and ready to defend their names with the very last drop of blood in him.

The rest of the event was fun and celebration all the way as group after group came out to dance and rejoice before the Lord.