Foursquare Church in Nigeria Gears Up to Celebrate 70 Years of Faith Impact with Weeklong Activities …offered relief materials to Benue displaced victims

The Foursquare Gospel Church, Yaba, Lagos, is set to celebrate its 70th anniversary milestone with a planned series of events aimed at spiritual rejuvenation, community service, and unifying the past and present members of the church.

According to the church leadership and the planning committee, lead by the General Overseer and Senior Pastor, Rev. Sam Aboyeji during a press conference on Monday 14 July, 2025 to herald the anniversary scheduled to hold from July 21 – 27, 2025 at the Church National Headquarters, 62/66, Akinwunmi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos said, the anniversary theme, (will feature Colour Parade, Inter-School Quiz Competition, Colloquium, Exhibition, Tehilah (Praise) Night, Special BLAST (Youth) Connect, Award/Gala Night, and a Grand Finale/Thanksgiving slated for Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 8:00 am. 

Rev Aboyeji expressed his delight and joy over the Church’s 70 years of unwavering dedication to Christianity and societal development in Nigeria, said, “We are celebrating 70 years of a complete gospel, and our celebration goes beyond spiritual revival, it encompassed impactful outreach through medical missions, soul-stirring musical experiences, targeted programmes, and robust community service. It’s our way of sharing God’s word and reconnecting with believers worldwide.”

Highlighting the church’s multigenerational and multicultural vibrancy, Rev. Aboyeji stated that all affinity groups at the church’s National Headquarters will play significant roles during the anniversary as they have been tasked with active participation, which underscores the church’s commitment to sustaining a thriving future for our faith-based community.

Other activities marking the milestone is the recognition and honouring the pioneer and founding faith fathers who laid the Church foundation of the Church in Nigeria and shepherd it throughout the years for their spiritual leadership and legacy, among whom are; Rev. Harold Curtis (of blessed memory), Rev. Dr. Samuel Odunaike (of blessed memory), Rev. James Abayomi Boyejo (of blessed memory), and Rev. Dr. Gabriel Farombi, amongst other ministers and leaders whose indelible contributions remain immensely in the annal history of the church in Nigeria.

Emphasising its role in nation-building, Rev. Aboyeji stated that in line with its core tenets of faith, the church is committed to good governance, civil responsibility, and prayers for Nigeria’s peace and prosperity.

The Foursquare Gospel Church, known globally as the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, was founded in 1923 by the renowned Canadian-American lady preacher Aimee Semple McPherson in Los Angeles, California, USA. The Global Foursquare Church is 102 years old and has established a presence in 156 nations worldwide.

The church in Nigeria was planted in 1955 through an American couple, Rev. Harold & Mrs. Faye Curtis with Rev Samuel Odunaike, Rev James Boyejo, and Rev. Friday Osuwa, who are the founding fathers of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria that presently have over 5,000 churches across the 36 states of Nigeria and transcended to countries like Ghana, Liberia, Togo, São Tomé and Principe, Benin Republic, Sierra Leone, and Equatorial Guinea, among others.

Berating the rising trend of early political campaigns and activities, Rev. Aboyeji described it as a distraction for the present administration and a potential threat to good governance. He advised that assessing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration within the first two years of office is premature and warned politicians against turning social engagements into campaign platforms, which could undermine national stability.

Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of the Church’s 70th Anniversary Planning Committee, Mr Kehinde Lawanson, said that, in line with its mission, the Church had offered relief materials to the victims of the Benue killings and displaced persons.

Explaining the source of the funds that came from its international body to assist the victims of the killings in Benue and some flood-affected areas in Nigeria, Lawanson said that humanitarian services have been central to the Church’s mission and will continue to advance such initiatives after the anniversary.

While assuring the Church’s readiness in its operation to align with the civil authorities, he appealed to the government and state actors to prioritise the security of life and property of citizens to dissuade violent acts that render the people homeless. “Regrettably, the persecution of the gospel in society has reached an extent that in some areas, you can not buy land to build a church,” Lawanson said.

The Church also extended a warm invitation to the general public to participate in the weeklong anniversary programme.