Jimmy Odukoya

Following the nomination of Nollywood actor and son of the late Pastor Odukoya, Jimmy Odukoya as successor of his popular father by the Board of Trustees of Fountain of Life Church on Sunday, a social media influencer, Barr. Jov Tersoo took to his Facebook page to congratulate the new overseer. But his post with different reactions from his readers:

Tersoo writes: Congratulations to Jimmy Odukoya. This is why some people keep referring to Pentecostal churches as family empires. Also a reason why no one want to serve under another person as a pastor. No matter how good and faithful you are, the general overseer’s son is prepared to take the lead when the father is gone. May his reign be great.

Below are some of the reactions:

✍ Idoko Noah Sanni commented “The hair style if not natural dada (dread) and you still remain in the church you need check up,we thank God for orthodox background”

✍ Tertindi Teeter writes: “Thanks be to God Almighty who uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”

✍ Ololade Paul writes:
“With this kind of hair style? This is not how we met Christianity!”

✍ Usha Humphrey writes: “He looks like a superstar”

✍ Walter Ogar writes: “Joel Osteen took over from his father John Osteen, founder of Lakewood Church and has surpassed all expectations. Just listen to God, what is he saying?”

✍ Ishaya Danladi writes: “The founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God followed a path that most overseers dread to take. He made someone not even related to him to take over the helm of affairs before his departure. Most presidents and founders of modern pentecostal churches start their work with the view that it is a family business.”

✍ Aondona Manta write: “Jov, Who was the leader of the Jerusalem council of elders, or if we must put it in today’s parlance, the Chairman of the Board in Jesus’ ministry after his death and resurrection?”

✍ Sammie Adoche writes: “Until you know the circumstances surrounding his nomination it’s wrong to call any church a family business. Jimmy is not someone who will normally want to take up such mantle but if it’s God’s what will he do.”

✍ Ayodele Yemitope writes “I feel that’s subjective… It’s not all churches that get another person that’s not a family member that ends up more Successful and it’s not all churches that has the son or family of the founder take over that becomes a Success. What matters is if God is leading in that direction. Jimmy has been a Pastor in TFL for a while now long before the Dad’s death. But for the Dreads that seems kind off out of place to many. Every other things is okay from man’s point of view from God side that’s for those that have heard in line. The real deal is when the Latter House Surpass the Former”

✍ Dommie Kay writes “Any man that can go sit in the salon, washing, conditioning drying and braiding, as in braiding his hair should be feared, e get why. Even women don’t enjoy the experience, we only enjoy it for the beauty of the outcome.”

Jimmy, a Nollywood actor and musician who featured prominently Netflix’s ‘Woman King’ movie as Oba Ade was announced to the church on Sunday as his father’s successor.

According to a member of the BoT, Pastor Rotimi Okpaise, the late Taiwo Odukoya confided in the board of trustees (BoT) members about the succession plan before his demise.

Okpaise said the BoT unanimously elected Jimmy as the senior pastor and chairperson of the board..

Jimmy will be formally installed on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

The former Senior pastor and founder died on August 7, Odukoya, in the United States of America aged 67.

In 1978, a nineteen year old evangelist by the name Victor Oboyi, attended the annual convention at the Redemption Camp, on Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State. Having seen the miracles that God wrought through His servant Pastor E.A Adeboye at the convention, Evang Oboyi believed that his sick mother would be healed. He bought a handkerchief which he brought to Pastor Adeboye to pray over. Upon his return to Otukpo in BENUE state, he asked his sick mother to grab the anointed handkerchief. She was healed of her mysterious illness instantly.

After his mother’s miraculous healing, Evang Oboyi who was greatly being used by God in the revival movement in Idoma land at that time, and his team of young evangelists felt it necessary to invite Pastor Adeboye to Otukpo. They sent one Evang Innocent Odoh, a member of the revival team, with a letter to Lagos to meet pastor Adeboye who agreed to honour the invitation. After several obstacles on his way to Otukpo, Pastor Adeboye arrived the old town on 22nd August, 1979. A great crusade was held at the then Government Secondary School (Now Government Model Secondary School). It was the first major pentecostal gathering in the land. It saw people converging from within and outside Otukpo to attend the program. It was at this program that Pastor (Dr) Paul Enenche gave his life to Christ.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God was thereafter introduced to the land and a branch of the church was planted ushering the birth of many more parishes in the North Central region of Nigeria.

The first set of workers were all accommodated at Bro. Oboyi’s apartment on 81 Igede Street Otukpo and they

The parishes did not see significant growth until the early 2000 when new crop of vibrant ministers began to join the mission. Today, there are over 300 branches of the church in Idoma land and over 1500 parishes in Benue alone, all conglomerated under five provinces with headquarters in Otukpo, Makurdi and Gboko all in Benue State.

The land is indeed blessed to have the second visit of Pastor Adeboye this week after 44 years. Pastor Paul Enenche was home to play host to his spiritual father.

Credit: With assistance from Ernest Ikpeme, The Brutal Murder of a Revivalist. NIN Publishers 2003

If you are in Otukpo or it’s environs, you shouldn’t miss this great opportunity as Pastor E. A Adeboye visits the old town of the Idoma people today in a ground shaking style.

The event is taking place on the same ground of Army Children school, my alma mater.

I understand Pastor (Dr) Paul Enenche, a son of the soil, and a spiritual son of Pastor Adeboye is also on ground to play host to this great man of God. Also expected to grace the occasion is the Governor of BENUE State, Dr Samuel Ortom. The new Och’Idoma, Mr. John Elaigwu Odogbo who is also a pastor with Deeper Life Bible Church and other traditional rulers in the state will be playing host to the great spiritual general.

Pastor Adeboye first visited Otukpo in 1979 on the invitation of late Victor Oboyi, a young Evangelist at the age of 19. Oboyi was later murdered in cold blood in what was suspected to be a martyr killing. Pastor Paul Enenche testified that that visit of Pastor Adeboye was instrumental to his salvation in 1979. It was at the aftermath of that visit that a branch of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) was planted in Otukpo same year. That parish was the first parish of RCCG in the North Central, if not the whole of the Northern Region.

Expect the supernatural in the land as these great men of God join forces to “part the Red Sea’ in that land.

The event starts 3pm 9th and 10th May, 2022. Don’t miss out!

SHALOM!