MY VISIT TO COTONOU
Heartfelt thanks to Mommy EDITH Oshoffa for inviting me to the inauguration of SBJO Oshoffa School Complex in GODRO, BENIN REPUBLIC, the very forest where Papa SBJO sojourned for three months and where he heard the voice Luli, Luli, Luli, which means Grace, Grace, Grace.
It was a once in a lifetime event and I felt truly honored to be invited. By the grace of God I look forward to the development of the entire GODRO community and to the global growth of Celestial Church of Christ worldwide. Much thanks to my new found brother Supreme Evangelist JACOB Oshoffa for His generous hospitality. I had already checked into a hotel at idioroko border when he called and offered to house me in his personal residence throughout my stay at Cotonou.
The experience was truly amazing and deeply felt. MORE THANKS TO PRESIDENT JACOB OSHOFFA FOR HELPING ORGANIZE MY INTERVIEW WITH CELESTIAL HEROES. HE SAID THAT WAS THE FIRST RECORDING ON THE STORY OF SUCCESSION TO THE SEAT OF THE PASTOR-FOUNDER EVER DONE BY HIS TELEVISION CREW.
Also thanks to Most Senior Evangelist Frederick Oshoffa who worked tirelessly round the clock to ensure the completion of the initial phase of the School complex. He was truly a brother indeed. He prayed for me a lot and was grateful along with other members of the family that I took time from my busy schedule to come support the vision of the family.
I discovered something very unique about these three Oshoffa children, actually four of them. They were very humble, matured, unassuming and dedicated to the service of God. Not an iota of greed or self serving agenda in their blood. Supreme Evangelist Jacob Oshoffa, who happens to be the immediate senior brother to Tosho Oshoffa, same Father, same mother told me great stories about his relationship with Papa. He shared many stories about live miracles he witnessed with Papa including the raising of the dead. My time with him was like watching a movie you really loved.
One of the stories he shared, was how on a particular day Papa suddenly sent for him and brother Frederick to come to Ketu from Cotonou. He said on reaching there he was expecting some cash from Papa when suddenly Papa asked them to kneel down, then Papa sang (Emi mimo sokale sa rin wa meaning Holy Spirit descend into our midst…). After which Papa anointed both of them for power and service.
My “new” brother JACOB said he was surprise and was not too excited initially because as a young man he was expecting cash on that day but instead it was anointing. According to him Papa always gave him money and made sure all his material needs were met. But this visit was for anointing not for cash. We laughed over this. He however, admitted that to God be all the Glory that it was anointing that day and not cash, because now he could see the great gift Papa bestowed on them that day.
I immediately remembered a story told by Mommy EDITH OSHOFFA in her book of how Papa SBJO spontaneously called her and few others and specially anointed them for divine assignment at Ketu. Papa mentioned to her specifically that the special anointing was for divine work.
Wow, that was when anointing was for power and service, not as a tool to bribe or make money or manipulate people like we have in some factions today. Again you can only give what you have. Before you can lay hands on people, a truly anointed messenger of God must have laid hands on you with a specific divine purpose as directed by the God of the universe.
During Papa SBJ Oshoffa’s time, anointing was not for sale, it was for power and kingdom service. To God be all the glory that we still have the remnant of the Lord among us today in the Celestial Church who refuse to merchandise God’s anointing.
A heartfelt thanks to Evangelist Michael Alonge, who was with me through out this journey to Cotonou. I have never seen a journalist that is so passionate about the truth like Mr. Alonge. For the short time I have known this man not once have I noticed him ask for any special favor. On my way from the United States I asked him what he wanted me to buy for him, he said nothing. I said what about Phone. He said his phone was working fine. To tell you the truth, when he said that, I had tears in my eyes because I suddenly realized that this young man was not after money or seeking for attention but was passionate for the truth. May our great God continue to watch over him.
I also met with Mommy Dora Oshoffa. She was the eight day old baby who was inspired by the Holy Spirit to sing Celestial Church Hymn 377…at the start of the church:
1. LET US GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD JEHOVAH THE ALMIGHTY CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH WHO PROTECTS US TILL THIS DAY
2. HE MADE THE SEVEN HEAVENS AND EVEN THE SEVEN EARTHS THE SUN AND EVEN THE MOON THAT ILLUMINATES US AROUND
3. HE PROVIDES FOOD TO ALL CREATURES EVEN THE BIRDS OF THE AIR WHO NEITHER SOWING NOR HARVEST ALSO THE BEASTS OF THE FIELD …
This group of Oshoffa Children were truly personable and spirit filled. They treated me with dignity, respect and honor. None of them asked me for any special favor. It was all about God and how to make life a better place for suffering humanity. They listened intensely while I verbally shared the divine encounter I had with Papa SBJ Oshoffa in 1985. We had a wonderful family time together. We ate together, prayed together, laughed together, served food together, drove together and inaugurated the Saint SBJO School together. There was so much love and acceptance, you could feel it in your soul. I felt totally at home. I look forward to meeting with more of the Oshoffa children. I pray and hope they will understand that God had raised me up to be a blessing to them and to all Celestians and to help perfect the will of Papa SBJ Oshoffa which the devil had fought so hard to destroy but had finally failed.
So far, I have made many attempts to meet with Rev. EMF Oshoffa but those around him have made it almost impossible for me to see him. In 1985 when I met with Papa SBJ Oshoffa it was a walk-in meeting and totally hassle free. Two months ago when I visited with Bishop David Oyedepo, he came to usher me into his office. When I visited with Baba Obasanjo in Ogun state, it was as easy as ABC. How come to visit with EMF Oshoffa is like the proverbial Carmel trying to pass through the eyes of a needle?
If you cannot have quick access to a “Pastor” then how can the suffering masses be helped. If a Pastor cannot function independently how can he grant independence to the oppressed?
I pray and hope that the opportunity to meet with EMF will present itself soon. I truly believe that he would love to hear my encounter with his Dad on March 28th and 29th, 1985 at Ketu. He Rev. EMF Oshoffa is our big brother and I look forward to narrating my story to him.
May the God who descended the Celestial Church of Christ rekindle that original agape love in all of us. Like Christ told Papa when he visited him at Makoko “Mine is love, not money”. I pray that the true love of Christ will continue to flow through our blood vessels in the Celestial Church of Christ. I believe that AGAPE LOVE IS MORE POWERFUL THAN MONEY. SO BE IT.
I call on all true and faithful Celestians to pray for peace, love and unity for CCC and for God’s perfect will to prevail over all powers of darkness. IN JESUS GREAT AND MIGHTY NAME. AMEN.
Your friend and brother in Christ,
DR. WISDOM OMOVIRORO OKOTIE, PhD.
