C.C.C. IFAKO 1 RE-OPENED ON E.M.F’S ORDERS

• VSE Gabriel Adewale Sutton Reinstated as Shepherd
• E.M.F. Appeals for Peace and Unity

It is no longer news that the Celestial Church of Christ, Ifako 1, Agege, Lagos, was shut a few months back, after an internal crisis erupted between a section of the parish and the Shepherd in Charge, Venerable Superior Evangelist Gabriel Adewale Sutton.

The good news, however, is that the parish was recently reopened following the directive of His Eminence, Reverend E.M.F Oshoffa, Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide. And as if that is not enough, parishioners of C.C.C. Ifako 1, converged to hold their first congregational service, in three months, on Sunday, 5th October, 2025, in a peaceful atmosphere, totally devoid of rancour.

Incidentally, the Annual Adult Harvest Thanksgiving Service of the parish should have been held on that Sunday. However, a new date for the Annual Adult Harvest Celebration of C.C.C. Ifako 1 would be announced in due course.

His Eminence, Reverend E.M.F Oshoffa, has also sent assurances that he would join the parishioners of Ifako 1, in worship and thanksgiving before the end of the month of November 2025.

In his directives for the reopening of the parish, contained in a memo with reference number CCC/EMF/PO/PD/AD-39/09-25, the Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide, made it clear that, “After extensive deliberations with the parties involved in the conflict, on 3rd September 2025, in a well attended meeting by all concerned, the Pastor resolved as follows:

1. That the Parochial Committee of the parish stands dissolved and proper financial records be handed over.
2. That the Interim Committee earlier appointed by the Pastor’s Representative (The Shepherd), continue to manage the affairs of the parish for the next six (6) months.
3. That the parish’s Council of Elders should carry all parties along on parish activities.
4. The Shepherd in Charge, VSE Gabriel Adewale Sutton, is retained in the parish till further notice.
5. That all parishioners should continue to worship in peace and harmony.
6. That the parish be reopened with immediate effect.

THE MEMO

Copies of the memo were despatched to the Divisional Police Officer (D.P.O.) Ishaga Division Lagos, the Area Commander Area G, Lagos, and the Assistant Inspector General of Police (A.I.G.) Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos.

While admonishing the parishioners, His Eminence, Reverend E.M.F Oshoffa quoted copiously from the scriptures in Ephesians 4:32, which says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” He rounded up with the words in Colossians 3:13, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

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