By Goke Ilesanmi
It was indeed a dream come true for members of CAC Ikeja Zone, Lagos as their beloved Pastor Emmanuel Adetula was finally inducted as the sixth Zonal Superintendent of the zone on Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023, following his massive accomplishments, passionate commitment, visionary leadership and impressive administrative intelligence during his probationary period as the Acting Zonal Superintendent.
The induction service, which was conducted by Pastor Emmanuel Olusoko, Akiling Regional Superintendent held at CAC Oke-Ife 1, the Zonal Headquarters located at Lonlo Bus-stop, Iju-Ishaga, Lagos.
Pastor Olusoko, in his Induction Message with the thematic focus of “A work man approved of God” in allusion to 2 Timothy 2:15, stressed the need for Ministers of God to have deep knowledge of the Word of God, walk with Him always and deliver undiluted messages that are pleasant to God and not human beings.
The Akiling Regional Superintendent said Ministers of God and all Christians must live a Christ-like life that is devoid of sins because Christianity without Christ amounts to spiritual disaster. In his words, “There are three things that will not die forever. One is your work. Another thing that will not die is your words. The third one is your character.”
Pastor Olusoko urged the congregation to demonstrate godly character always and not depend on talent alone for success. “If talent takes you up, bad character can bring you down. If wealth or health is lost, nothing is lost. But if character is lost, everything is lost forever,” said the Regional Superintendent.
He added that it is through demonstration of good character that known preachers and field evangelists can easily convince sinners to forsake their sinful lifestyle and give their lives to Christ. The Regional Superintendent buttressed his assertion with an education allusion by saying that students hardly like the subjects of teachers they do not like.
Pastor Olusoko said ministers’ challenges are legion, that is, many and inevitable. He added that praying against manifestation of challenges is a spiritual effort in futility based on the scriptural reality of John 16: 33, which says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall face tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have conquered the world”.
Pastor Olusoko said five-star spiritual generals such as Elijah, Daniel, Peter, Paul and Apostle Ayo Babalola had
all experienced moments of adversity in their missionary assignments. He added that Ministers of God therefore need patience and prayers to cope with challenges. The Akiling Regional Superintendent told the Ministers of God in attendance to always pray for victory over challenges rather than pray against emergence of challenges.
He particularly urged Pastor Adetula to continue to be a servant leader to the subordinates and the entire members of the zone rather than a boss so as to stimulate harmonious working and spiritual relationships critical to massive zonal development.
Pastor Olusoko also advised Ministers’ Wives to endeavour to demonstrate humility and reciprocate the respect accorded them by the church members, particularly, the elderly ones.
In his own reaction, Pastor Adetula expressed appreciation to the Regional Superintendent for the fatherly advice and love always. The Ikeja Zonal Superintendent promised to continue to discharge his zonal leadership duties appropriately in line with the rules and regulations of CAC to facilitate speedy development of the zone and achieve the desired goal of transforming the Zone to a District Coordinating Council (DCC) status.
Articulating the same vision earlier in his Welcome Address, Elder Fola Asekun, the Zonal Secretary said, “Ikeja Zone can no longer continue to remain in ‘Kadesh Barnea’. The race to attaining a District Coordinating Council should begin now. All hands must be on deck to realise this within the shortest time possible. We can do it because God is on our side….”
Some of the highlights of the memorable occasion were the spiritually-impressive musical ministration by the Zonal Choir and commendable athletic display of professional march-past skills by the Royal Shepherd Brigade coordinated by the indefatigable Elder Ayorinde Ezekiel, a retired but not tired Police Officer.
Members of the zone expressed appreciation to God for finally making the long-awaited induction day a reality and huge success, and wish the amiable and peaceful Zonal Superintendent, a successful tenure.