PASTOR OLUSHEYE RETIRES

The President of Christ Apostolic Church, Worldwide, Pastor Elijah Howard Lajuwomi Olusheye will take a bow from active service on Saturday December 31. Pastor Olusheye had announced this at the meeting of the General Council of the Church held at Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, on Thursday December 8, 2011. He told the council that he would be taking a honourable bow from active service on December 31, 2011 in accordance with the provision of Christ Apostolic Church's Constitution which stipulates 75 years as retirement age.

The cleric, who became President of the Church in 1997 after his elevation from the office of General Superintendent, has brought tremendous developments to the first indigenous Pentecostal Church in Africa.

Among his many laudable achievements are (a) the establishment of Sunday School Department for the whole C. A. C. before becoming the President (b) the greater financial stability he brought to the central administration of the Church; (c) the unparalleled physical developments of the Babalola International Miracle Camp, Ikeji Arakeji in Osun State. (d) The establishment of modern, reputable tertiary educational institution, the Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) also at Ikeji Arakeji and (e) Construction of an ultramordern worship centre called All Saints Chapel at the National Secretariat at Bashorun, Ibadan and the invigoration of the Church's Theological Seminary which campus he has increased to 13, spread all over the country and the Republic of Benin while upgrading same to degree-awarding institution.

Others are (f) the establishment of the Royal Shepherds and the unification of all youth associations in the Church under the C. A. C. Youth Fellowship.

In addition to these achievements he placed increased emphasis on evangelism both locally and internationally; a move which ensures that the Church commits substantial amount to Foreign Missions fields and local evangelical crusades.

Realising that his services would still be needed by the Church, Pastor Olusheye will however lead the newly constituted advisory body known as Ecclesiastical Council.

To take over the mantle of Pastor Olusheye is Pastor Abraham Olukunle Akinosun, the erstwhile General Superintendent, who emerges as the new President. This is in line with the Church's Constitution which stipulates that a person for the office of the President must have held office as the General Superintendent.

Also to fill the post of the General Superintendent is a young, vibrant minister who has distinguished himself in evangelism both locally and in foreign lands, Pastor Caxton Segun Fasuyi.

The in-coming president, Pastor Akinosun was born in Ibadan on February 27, 1945. He had his Primary education between 1955 and 1960. After that, he immediately went into plumbing trade with the then Ibadan City Works between 1962 and 1965. He passed his Grade 2 and Grade 3 Trade tests in Plumbing and worked with many companies like Drake and Skull Limited, Julius Berger, G. Cappa, Italcom and many others.

He was called to the gospel ministry in 1972. He attended Christ Apostolic Church Bible Training College from 1973-1975. He worked as Cathechist at Oja-odan. Thereafter he was posted to C. A. C. Yaba. He travelled to Europe for further theological studies in 1978. He studied in West Germany, Sweden and Belgium. In Belgium, he attended Continental Theological Seminary where he obtained a degree in Biblical Studies. He was ordained a Pastor in C. A. C. in 1981 and was posted to Epinmi Centre. In 1982, he was transferred to C. A. C. Theological Seminary, Ile Ife as a lecturer. In 1984, he was transferred to pastor an Assembly at the Polytechnic, Ibadan Campus. In 1985 he was transferred to C. A. C. Sango, Ibadan. He became a District Superintendent in 1991 and was transferred to Itire, Lagos as District Superintendent. In 2000, he was posted to Oshogbo DCC as the Chairman. He was still on this position when he was appointed the General Superintendent of the Church on December 10, 2010.

The new General Superintendent, Pastor Segun Fasuyi was born in Owena, Ondo State on May 5, 1962, but his parents hailed from Ido Fabore in Ekiti State.

He attended Saviour's Primary School, Owena and Ebun Ogunyinka Comprehensive High School. For his Higher School Certificate, he attended the Federal School of Science, Ondo, in Ondo State.

He proceeded to the University of Jos where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Religious Studies. He did his National Youth Service in Ilorin. He has since been a businessman, but with strong zeal for the spread of the Gospel. He was ordained as a Pastor in February, 1997. It is to his credit that he has planted the Christ Apostolic Church assemblies in high profile areas in Lagos, like VGC, Ajah; G. R. A. Ikeja and many other places in Lagos and South Africa.

He is the Vice Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University.

Other Principal officers of the Church, such as The General Evangelist, Prophet S. K. Abiara, the General Secretary, Pastor Gideon Okegwemeh and the Finance Director, Pastor J. F. Omitinde continue in their respective offices.