The Christian body at large and the country home, Benin City, of the late famous cleric and the founder of the Church of God Mission International, Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa, since September 10, have been receiving accolades for his immense contribution the growth of Christianity and the expansion of Pentecostal churches in the country.
TribuneChurch gathered that the week-long was part of the activities making the 50th anniversary of the church, 20th anniversary of the deceased and also 20th anniversary of his wife the visioner, Margret Idahosa now, at the helm of the ministry.
Notable clerics and dignitaries have not only poured encomiums on the visioner, but had also stormed Benin to celebrate with the family, the leadership and the entire members of the church. The social media was not left too, as thousands of people whose lives had been touched by the great ministers of God, also showered encomiums on Papa, has he was fondly called.
The social media was flooded with the clips and visuals of the life and times of the renowned cleric, which afford the people, especially members of the emerging ministries to have a glimpse of the glamour and robust faith he brought into Christianity, which portrayed him as a true Pentecostal preacher and an epitome of faith.
In a goodwill message, to commemorate the events, the General Overseer Worldwide of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye stated that: “We are not throwing back, but thanking God for a man that was a true man of God as we celebrate with Margret Idahosa and Feb Idahosa and the great people of Church of God Mission on this 50 years celebration. The church of God will keep marching on and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
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During his sermon, Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church, described Idahosa as a man of integrity and a faithful man who lived his life for humanity and the growth of Christianity.
In his tribute, General Overseer, the Decross Gospel Mission, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, described Idahosa as a rare gem and great charismatic preacher whose good works are indelible in the history of Christianity in the country and beyond.
“I am a testament of the great influence of this true man of God. How time flies! It is 50 years of his ministry and 20 years he has been with the Lord. My greatest joy is that his great works are still speaking good volumes of him. I am one of the beneficiaries of his ministry; he was one of those that God used to bring me into full-time ministry. He ordained me as an evangelist and inaugurated my ministry. He mentored and monitored the growth of the ministry till his death. We have every reason to celebrate him, because his ministry and that of those he raised have grown in leaps and bounds alongside and even currently taking gospel to greater heights. I felicitate with his wife and the children and the entire members of the church. I pray that the ministry and every good thing he worked for will continue to flourish,” he added.
The event tagged; Celebrating a Godly Legacy, also included other activities including the foundation laying of Olinlin Primary School, Uzea; commissioning of Benson Idahosa Cathedral Academy, Uromi; Founder’s Day service organised by All Nations for Christ Bible Institute; music concert and a novelty football match.
Sons of the cleric in the ministry, including, Bishop Oyedepo, Apostle Zilly Aggrrey, Dr Gary Whetston and Pastor Ayo Oristijafor, among others, besieged the Balm of Gilead City to honour the legacy of their leader. Bishop David Azenabor, Pastor Theresa Lee, Archbishop John Praise and other religious leaders from outside the shores of the country.
The climax of the event held on September 16, was attended by Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Archbishop Duncan Williams, Archbishop Osaoni, among other dignitaries, while Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Dr Oby Exewesili, Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe and Bishop Oyedepo were honoured with award of excellence.
In her remarks, Archbishop Idahosa wrote on her social media handle: “Lord, we are greatful! 50 years filled with amazing and glorious testimonies. God’s miraculous power in the children of God has brought us thus far. Many thought we would have folded up into a memory after the unexpected demise of the founder. Instead of dying with the founder, the ministry of CGMI thrives and is still making global impact to the glory of God.”
and then