Pastor Predicts Happy Times as Church Marks 20th Anniversary

Solomon Elusoji

Just as Nigeria officially emerges from a recessionary period, the General Superintendent of Christ Redemption Bible Church (CRBC), Pastor John Oluwadare, has said that the country’s economic fortunes can only get better.
Pastor Oluwadare made this comment during a press conference, held in Lagos recently, unveiling CRBC’s 20th anniversary celebrations.

Urging Nigerians not to lose hope in the country, the Pastor said God has a special interest in Nigeria and gave assurances that if the nation returns to God, things will start to look up for the man on the street. “Nigeria was one, there was love and there was no tribal difference,” he said. “What our leaders need to do, to correct this, is to return back to God as a nation. We must take over our community for Christ and everybody must be identified with Christ. Our leaders should rise up and have the fear of God.”

Pastor Oluwadare called for a genuine national prayer declared by the president, noting that Nigeria would be better than any nations of the world, if we all go back to God in prayers.

Meanwhile, CRBC, one of the fastest growing Pentecostal churches in the country, is contributing its quota to national development by uplifting its immediate community. As part of its 20th anniversary convention, which is themed ‘The Bread of Life’, the church is organising a four-week skills empowerment programme, instituting a water project and repairing access roads.

The convention, which will run from Tuesday, October 10 till Sunday, October 15, will feature a variety of programmes, including a family summit, a 20 hours praise and worship session, revival and anointing services, ministers and workers conference and culminate in a convention thanksgiving service.
“The theme for the convention is centred on winning souls: populating the kingdom of God and depopulating the kingdom of Satan,” Pastor Oluwadare said.

The Mother of the CRBC Ministry, Pastor Martha Oluwadare, said the convention is special, noting that 20 years has been a long journey. “If a child is 20 years old, he will probably be a university graduate already, preparing to study for a Masters Degree. This is why I believe that this church has come of age,” she said. “During the convention, ministers will be taught the way to build the church. This would enable them to know their calling and understand how to carry out God’s work. Leaders are to serve the people and church leaders are to serve God’s people. The conference will teach leaders to have a spirit of service, to carry out the work of God. Nigerians would be taught how to survive in the face of the global economic turbulence.”

Through a ministry that has spanned two decades, Pastor Oluwadare, who also hosts a show on television, has helped millions experience a victorious and purposeful life in God’s word.

Born on December 29, 1958 at Ikire, Osun State to the Christian family of Late Pa Joshua Babafemi Ogundare and Mrs. Eunice Olasumbo Ogundare, Pastor Oluwadare resigned from his job as Senior Purchasing Officer at Ashaka Cement Plc in 1999 to become a full time Christian minister.

Prior to that life changing decision, he had equipped himself with theological education after attending the LIFE Theological Seminary in Lagos for five years and starting CRBC in 1997

CRBC began as a Family Night Prayer Meeting, before it metamorphosed into a Christian Fellowship Centre before becoming a full-fledged Christian ministry in January 1997.