CAN Mourn Deaths of Top Church Leaders
This is not a good time for the Nigerian Christian community and the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as it mourns the passing away of three top members and leaders in quick succession.
In a statement released by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the Special Assistant, Media Communication to the CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle. The association described the demise of the three, General Overseer of Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM), Rev. Obiora Ezekiel, wife of the late former General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev. (Mrs) Yinka Badejo and wife of Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya, as a big loss to the Nigerian church and the Christian community.
The association noted with pain and regret the unexpected death of some key Christian leaders and said that the vacuum created by their death would be greatly felt by their families, the church and the country, owing to their impactful life.
CAN called on Christians to continue praying for church leaders’ protection and longevity of life to enable them fulfill their callings and commission given to them.
While commiserating with Pastor Odukoya on the recent home call of his dear wife after a protracted battle with cancer, the association prayed for divine comfort and consolation.
“The Lord will not let her relocation stop the assignment given to him but instead help him to rise up and the seeming sad event will turn out for good, as the Lord promised us in Romans 8:28, in Jesus’ name”.
While commiserating with Pastor Odukoya on the recent home call of his dear wife after a protracted battle with cancer, the association prayed for divine comfort and consolation.
“The Lord will not let her relocation stop the assignment given to him but instead help him to rise up and the seeming sad event will turn out for good, as the Lord promised us in Romans 8:28, in Jesus’ name”.
“We are yet to get over the shock of Pastor Nomthi demise, another great servant of God, a teacher of teachers, pastor of pastors, mentor and father of many giants in faith, Rev. Obiorah Ezekiel joined them,” the statement stated.
CAN described Ezekiel as one of the founding fathers of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), where he provided leadership with impeccable integrity.
He was not only an evangelist per excellence but also an epitome of integrity, transparency, power, prayers, discipline, signs and wonders till his last minute on earth. “This is why he was fondly called the ‘Demon Bulldozer’.
As the umbrella body of all churches in the country, his relocation came when his wisdom and godly counsels were greatly needed.
“However, our consolation is that he slept in the Lord whom he served till he breathed his last.”
“May God comfort his wife, Rev. Mercy Ezekiel, the church and his ministry, Christ Pentecostal Mission (CPM) and the leadership of PFN,” CAN stated.
CAN also sent its condolences to Foursquare Gospel Church and the family of Badejos over the passing away of their matriarch, who died barely three months after the demise of her husband.
“We pray to God to watch over the rest of us and help us to live everyday of our lives to the glory of His name, in Jesus’ name,” the association said.
