Most Senior Apostle (Dr) Joshua Osasuyi, Spiritual Leader and General Overseer, Christ Chosen Church of God International, celebrates his 77th birthday with great pomp and ceremony, while a documentary on the life and times of the indefatigable ‘Apostle of Our Time is launched at the occasion
‘Apostle of Our Time’ with his wife of many years, Reverend Grace Osasuyi
Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, Benin City, Edo State, wore a carnival-like atmosphere as church members, well-wishers friends and relation celebrated Most Senior Apostle Dr. Joshua Edenabuohien Ehimwenma Osewegie Osasuyi, JP, MFR, the Spiritual Leader and General Overseer of Christ Chosen Church of God International on his 77th birthday, on March 15, 2014.
Variously described as an indefatigable father, simple, kind-hearted, forthright, compassionate and dependable, Most Apostle (Dr.) Osasuyi was born on March 15, 1937 at Erua village, Uhumwonde Local Government, Edo State.
He rose to rank and file to become the Spiritual Head of Christ Chosen Church of God after he answered the call of God in 1963. According to reports, he is one of those ministers who have maintained unbroken chain since he joined the ministry in 1963; receiving series of promotions in 1967, 1972, 1978, 1993, 2002 before becoming the head of the Church on September 1, 2007.
He has won for himself several awards of recognition both home and abroad including an Ambassador for Peace (AFP) to the United Nations in 2008; Doctor of Divinity (DD) from J.B.C. University and Seminary, United States and the prestigious Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on November 14, 2011.
So it was not surprising on Saturday, March 15 when drums were joyfully rolled out in thanksgiving to honour a man after God’s heart and also launch a documentary about the life and times of the Apostle of God. The special documentary was launched as part of the 77th birthday to honour a man of many parts who has taken Christ Chosen Church God International to new heights.
Samson Osagie, Member, House of representatives(in white) and others
Guests at the Event
Archbishop (Dr.) Margaret Idahosa of Church of God Mission International; Dr. Felix Omobude, President, PFN; Samson Osagie, member, House of Representatives; Chief Sam Igbe, Iyase of Benin; Professor Osarhimen Osunbor, former governor of Edo State; representatives from the Oba’s palace and many more.
In a short exhortation, Omobude extols Osasuyi as a great man who loves Nigeria; who has imbibed on people to follow a godly lifestyle. Omobude described Osasuyi as a great leader in the Lord’s vineyard. “He is not celebrated today because he is tall, but because his has paid his dues. He is a blessing to Nigeria”.
Apostle(Dr.) Osasuyi with wife and children
Elder Edosa Osasuyi
Osasuyis with Dr. Felix Omobude, President, PFN
Ushers display the special documentary CDs
His family members were not left out of the celebration as they honour their patriarch fondly referred as an ‘Apostle of Our Time’. His wife of many years, Reverend Grace Osasuyi described her husband as a patient, unassuming, committed and focused cleric, who is an inspiration to the family, present generation and up-and-coming ministers of God. “I met him as a gospel preacher, I suffered with him. It was not so easy. It was so rough. I suffered with him from the beginning of our marriage but I chose to follow him because he is a gospel preacher”.
Elder Edosa Osasuyi, the first son, summed up his relationship with their father this way, “He is a modest, loving, caring and dedicated father. He was always there for us and trained us to be good citizens and to live in the fear of God.
Liora Osasuyi, a recording artiste, thrilling the audience
Liora Osasuyi, daughter and a recording artiste, performed a memorable song for her father to the admiration of the audience.
The event, anchored by Efosa Iyamu, SSA to governor on protocol was a tribute galore for Apostle Dr. Osasuyi. Dr. Omobude described him as a “father figure to a number of people and groups. By date of age, experience, and by date of his disposition he is a man of peace and he has always played that role as a bridge builder”.
Apostle (Dr) Nosa Atoe, Director, Publicity/Protocol of CCCG and the coordinator of documentary about life and times of Apostle Dr. Osasuyi, has this to say: “We are happy at this time we have a man who is ready to go places. If you look at the secretariat where we are operating from the one we call the global office, the edifice was put in place by our father. If you look at what we were operating from before now you will know what I am taking about. Every officer here has a comfortable place to operate from. He is one man who is interested in the welfare of his ministers. When he came on board he decided to change the face of the welfare package that is ascribable to the workers”.
For Archbishop (Dr) Idahosa, “Since he became the general overseer or the apostle of the ministry, we can count the progress of the work that he has done. One thing I know is that he is a man of integrity… He is a man that is a friend of God. He hears and talks to him and whatever he hears, he does and the work that he is involve in can attest to all that he is doing. We are glad that all these years that he has been in the ministry, there have been no scandal”.
In the words of Sir (Chief) Gabriel Igbinedion, Esama of Benin Kingdom “I thank God for his life. We grew up together. He is a great man ordained by God. The way the church has grown all over the world shows that he is a wonderful man”.
Dr. Egberamwen Odubu, deputy governor of Edo State said of him: “He has been one of my serious political guardians, supporting us most powerfully.”
According to Honourable Patrick Obayangbon, chief of staff to the Edo State government: “What interests me in his life is the fact that he ensues and emblematises the fine doctrine of Pentecostalism which encourages humility and simplicity. In these days when Pentecostal pastors have become materialistic. In these days when they swim in
an aqua of plutocracy, when you see a few of them that still
emblematises simplicity, humility then it gives course for eulogies”.
Pa Jacob Ighodaro, his uncle/Senior Elder CCCG Worldwide,
“He is a physical young man, he loves to play football, he was interested in all games”.
Elated Most Senior Apostle (Dr.) Osasuyi could not hold back his joy. He used the occasion to pay special tribute to his wife and mother, the two women he says he owes loyalty. Growing up as a child was not easy for the young Osasuyi, having lost his father at an early age. Hear him: “I was still young when my father died, I didn’t know him at all. I
only grew up to meet my mother who really took pain to bring me up. You know what that means when they say somebody was given birth to and he is not up to a month and his father died. I didn’t even know whether he is fair or black in complexion. It was not easy, thank God, for my mother who made it easy for me. She took care of me. She was a petty trader who made sure that I lacked nothing, being that I was the only boy she had, so she took care of me seriously”.
For his wife he told an emotional story how he met her while on a missionary journey. Said he: “In our time when you agree to be a man of God that means you have signed an agreement with poverty. On my missionary journey, I met her and saw her as my missing rib. I didn’t make any mistake because she has been of great help to me. She was a very beautiful young girl, humble and high in the Holy Spirit. She has helped me much in the build-up of my ministry wherever we go”. Describing his wife as the pillar behind his success, Apostle said, “If not for the help of my wife, I don’t think I would have been able to succeed in the sense that she buys clothes for me because all she wanted is for me to match up with my colleagues and succeed in all my endeavours”.
And for his children “I brought my children up in the fear of God and to always tell the truth. There is a strong fence built around the truth. The truth is never destroyed; say the truth and it will set you free.
“They join me in promoting the gospel of the Lord. I am comfortable and thank God none of them are outside, they are all in Christ”.
The high turning point of the occasion was when Apostle (Dr.) Osasuyi who looked so alluring and joyous was joined by his admirable wife and children on the dance floor after cutting the birthday cake to the admiration of church members, ministers of God, children and grandchildren among others.
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