I am Most Superior Evangelist F.Ade Agbaje (JP), an 80-year-old man hail from the Ibatefin Agbaje compound in Porto Novo. Although my mother was from Benin Republic, I was born in Nigeria at Ipokia Local Government area of Ogun State. The circumstances surrounding my birth in Nigeria are quite unique and fascinating.
My mother tragically lost 9 children before I was born. In a desperate attempt to change their luck, my father sought the help of an herbalist. The herbalist advised that my mother must leave her current location whenever she became pregnant again. Following this advice, my mother relocated to a town in Ipokia where she eventually gave birth to me.
SIR, COULD YOU SHARE WITH US HOW YOU BECAME A MEMBER OF CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST?
Back in 1950, I left Porto Novo for Ivory Coast in search of better opportunities. However, in 1967, the civil war broke out in Nigeria and Ivory Coast got involved, leading to a tragic loss of lives. Thankfully, I was spared and returned to Benin Republic. But soon after, I fell seriously ill. Despite visiting various herbalists, none could cure me. It was only when one herbalist who mentioned to me that he saw people in white garments praying for me, then I decided to seek out a white garment church for healing.
Among the white garment churches, Celestial Church of Christ stood out as the most prominent. With the guidance of my uncle, I found my way to a local branch of the church. There, I was welcomed by Baba Agbaossi, who prayed for me, and later by Pa SBJ Oshoffa, the founder of the church who blessed me with prayer after he knew that I was Pa Abaje son because my father was a popular man in the town.
After just two weeks of attending the church, I experienced a miraculous healing. Convinced of the power of the church, I decided to become a member. Pa SBJ Oshoffa personally oversaw my baptism, and I officially joined CCC Supreme Headquarters. Under the mentorship of Baba Agbaossi, I learned the core beliefs of the church.
In 1970, I traveled to Igolo in Benin Republic and encountered a woman who had been sick for over three years. Through fervent prayer and faith, I was able to heal her within a week. This experience inspired me to establish a parish in Itakon, where I served as a shepherd from 1970 to 1975.
WE WOULD LIKE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE PROCESS OF ESTABLISHING CCC JESUDIMU PARISH?
In 1975, I arrived in Idiroko and founded another Parish with the name, CCC Jesudimu Parish, where I continue to worship to this day. Over the years, I maintained close relationships with Papa Oshoffa and Baba Agbaossi. In fact, it was my wife, Dupe Agbaje, who signed Pa SBJ Oshoffa’s passport when he needed to cross the border in 1972.
Due to my fatherly relationship with Pa SBJ Oshoffa, he wrote a letter addressed to Supreme Evangelist AA Bada, declaring me as his son and instructing that I should not be transferred from my parish. Even after Pa SBJ Oshoffa relocated to Makoko, I made sure to visit him regularly and continued to send my monthly returns by payment to Ma Florence (Iya Gbenga) at the Pastor Office then.
I was also present with the Founder when he moved the anointment exercise to Imeko. My dedication to the church and my close ties with its leaders have been a significant part of my life’s work.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT PA SBJ OSHOFFA’S ACCIDENT?
It was during our harvest day at CCC Jesudimu Parish in Idiroko when I received the shocking news that Pa SBJ Oshoffa had been in an accident on his way to CCC Army Barracks Parish in Ibadan. I decided to keep the information to myself so as not to disrupt the harvest, but we ended up shifting our harvest date from the first Sunday in September to the third Sunday in September.
Can you believe it? Just a week after the accident, Pa SBJ Oshoffa held a Thanksgiving Service at the hospital where he was admitted, thanking God for saving him without any injuries. During the service, a minor situation arose, and someone mentioned that Timothy (Papa Trumpeter) had passed away. This news caused Pa SBJ Oshoffa to lose control, as prior to the accident, a shepherd named Abraham had also died. Following this, Pa SBJ Oshoffa sent a message to Baba Agbaossi to meet him at the hospital the next day, 9th of September 1985. Unfortunately, Baba Agbaossi missed the meeting and went on Tuesday, 10th of September 1985, only to find the lifeless body of Papa SBJ Oshoffa.
WE WANT TO INQUIRE ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LATE REV. AA BADA?
I must admit that I was deeply saddened by the passing of Rev. SBJ Oshoffa, as his departure came as a shock to me. However, I trust in God’s plan and have continued to carry out my work diligently in my parish, ensuring that all my responsibilities are met in a timely manner.
Imagine my surprise when the Taskforce, acting on the instructions of Rev. AA Bada suddenly appeared to close down my parish. I was taken aback by this unexpected action against me. I immediately sought clarification from the Taskforce Chairman, Evang Ojudo, and presented a letter from Late Papa Oshoffa dating back to 1975. In the letter, it was clearly stated that I should not be transferred from my parish. After presenting this evidence, the Taskforce Chairman left without further ado.
Determined to resolve the situation, I made several attempts to meet with Late Rev. AA Bada. I visited his home in Abeokuta, only to be informed that he had left for CCC Ibara Parish. Upon further inquiry, I discovered that he had not visited that parish either. Feeling unwelcome in Ketu, I made the decision to return to the Supreme Headquarters in Benin Republic, where I first joined the Church in 1967.
WHAT WAS YOUR WORKING EXPERIENCE WITH LATE REV AGBAOSSI?
I had the incredible opportunity to work closely with Late Rev Agbaossi, who was not only my first teacher when I joined the church, but also a mentor and guide in my journey of faith. While the shepherds under my jurisdiction were focused on the evolution of the Church in their respective Parishes, it was Rev Agbaossi who anointed Rev Adeogun as the Pastor to succeed him. Additionally, I was one of 26 individuals who were anointed as Pastors to assist him in this exciting new chapter of our ministry.
SIR, WHAT BROUGHT YOU BACK TO KETU?
Well, let me tell you – in the year 2020, I had a vision from God about returning to Ketu. I felt compelled to come back and study the events happening in the Church. I shared this vision with Pastor Lasimi, who is right next to Rev Adeogun. Fast forward to 2023, after the Christmas convention in Imeko, I heard that Pastor EMF Oshoffa was in Porto Novo. I decided to pay him a visit to discuss my intention to return to Ketu.
To my delight, he warmly welcomed me and even challenged me for abandoning him for so long. We agreed to continue our conversation in January 2024 in Ketu, Nigeria. The meeting provided an open platform for communication between us and we even traveled to Agange together in March 2024. I also had the opportunity to attend the washing of feet ceremony at km 53 on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE DISPUTE BETWEEN REV. EMF OSHOFFA AND MSE BANJO?
Let me tell you, Baba Banjo is like a father to me. I still talk to him to this day because of all the hard work he has put into our Church. It is crucial that we show him the respect he deserves as an elder who truly loves our Church. I am not in Ketu to seek for position, but rather I am trying to communicate with other Most Superior Evangelists over the phone about the Church. I strongly believe that it is time for God to take control of everything in the Church, and for Rev. EMF Oshoffa to initiate a reunion with all parties involved for the growth and development of Celestial Church of Christ.
If you are not at the center of things, you will not truly understand the situation. I am confident that now that I have returned to Ketu, I will play my part in bringing Baba Banjo together with the Pastor.
YOUR ADVICE TO SHEPHERDS IN THE CHURCH?
I urge them to wholeheartedly follow God’s instructions in every aspect of their life and to diligently adhere to the rules of the Church. Celestial Church of Christ has been entrusted by God to bring about positive change to the world. It is our duty to lead by example and show others the importance of faith in God.
Let us work together to rebuild the world according to God’s purpose and spread His message of love and salvation. Shepherds should resist the temptation to seek wealth and power through worldly means. There should stay true to their calling and focus on serving God with passion and dedication. Together, we can make a difference and bring light to a dark world.