Sunday November 6, 2022, Rev. Dr. Chaplain Jacob Olaonipekun Adesanmi, the General Overseer of Christ Dominion Assembly celebrated the 25 years of the Church. He here shares the story of the Church and his testimonies with PTL News in this special interview. The Church is situated at 2, Dominion Close, Glory Estate, Ikola, Ipaja, Lagos, and the programme begins at 11.00am. Rev. Olaonipekun is Chaplain, and a community leader, he is a member and Assistant Grand Commander of Civil Chaplains Forum of Nigeria, member, Police Community Relations Committee, and Chairman Glory Estate Community Development Association.
Congratulations sir, how about the journey of Christ Dominion Assembly at 25 years?
We have every reason to thank God. We give thanks to God for His mercies, His presence and for all He has done in the 25 years of the Church. The programme is to appreciate God for all He has done.
It’s like you started the ministry late sir. Why starting late?
I did not want to begin the works of the ministry early. 1982 was the first time God called me to ministry, but I thought I could not stand alone, so as not to make mistakes. I thought there would be nobody to guide me. I had been at Victory Apostolic Church. Because of that I left Victory Apostolic Church to join Christ Gospel Witness Church, in Yaba, Lagos. I planted Ondo Branch in 1983. Victory Apostolic Church first transferred me to Lagos in 1974 from Ondo, to Olorunninsola, Ayobo, coordinating Ayobo and Agege branches. I have been a minister long before we started the church.
While I was at Christ Gospel Witnesses Church I decided not to do the work of God again wondering how I could rely on pittance for a living. A member of the church therefore helped me to get a farm to work. Unfortunately there was no rain that year and there was poor harvest. I had to return to Ondo. It was at Ondo that God showed me a vision.
In the vision, I saw an old man who told me that he did not send me to the first Church, and that the second church was not real, and it was the second one that he sent me. I had to return to Victory Apostolic Church, that he did not send me to Christ Witness, and that the one He sent me to was not yet known.
When I got to Victory Apostolic Church, I was transferred to Iyana Ipaja, at 12, Bakare Jafojo Street. It was there that I had a dream that we went to the headquarters. They were holding Sunday School and we sat at the lower part of the altar. In the dream, as we finished the Sunday School I was told to go and lead them.
I then asked the leaders that we were supposed to hold service and not a meeting. I asked why they turned it into a meeting. In the vision, I opened the bag in my hand and saw a white cloth. I said I would not wear it there, while the one on me was with spots.
Later there was a physical meeting where ministers were being interviewed and they did not interview me. I asked the leaders why they did not interview me, and they said they had opened my file of 1978 to 82, and they discovered the church made no progress and that the church had remained backward while the new church I was serving had improved. They told me to go back to Mushin. Because of the frustration, I did not go back to Mushin.
Christ Dominion Assembly.
I later came to Iyana Ipaja. When I was coming to Iyana Ipaja, God told me it was my land of freedom. I was given a plot of land at Abule Iroko by one Mr. Fadina (now late), in Ota, and when I did nothing there it was sold by the surveyor in charge.
Later one Baba gave us the frontage of his house and that was how we started at number 11, Ibijoke Street, Abule Oki in Iyana Ipaja. That was where we started Christ Dominion Assembly, from there we have been moving till where we are now.
25 years journey
We started at Abule Oki where one Pa Atere gave us a place to stay until we got our own place. There was a time we went to Ikoyi Mountain for prayer, where it was revealed that I would be sent packing where I was and if I did not take care it could lead to litigation. My thinking was that it was going to be a long time but by two weeks the alarm blew and that led us to 24 Aje Street, Pleasure area.
From there we began to try, there was progress and I had a Pastor with me at Pleasure. I left him there to go and pioneer a new branch at Ayobo. My intention was to revive the place but God told me I should not stay there for it had become filthy and desecrated. From there we moved to 7, Olufemi Ajayi, Fafunwa Estate, where we moved to our present site.
What were the experiences, challenges and testimonies like?
I am thankful that God has never been guilty of my situation. Before anything happens God would have revealed it to me. I thank God that whatever situation I find myself I have no cause to regret. God has been very faithful. Since I have been obedient, God has been meeting my needs. I thank God with that. I thank God that our members as few as they are, are supportive and cooperating.
How about the celebration?
During the celebration we want to ordain three Pastors, three evangelists, two elders and three deaconesses. We want to thank God for the landmark He has given to us without fading away. That is why we call the theme Celebrating God’s Faithfulness. Because I can say that we started at zero level and God has not put us to shame.
What is to expect after the celebration?
People should be expecting testimonies and miracles, and seeing God visiting us in a new dimension, in a way that is difficult to believe.
What is your message to all on the Church and Nigeria as a whole?
All children of God must be preparing for heavenly journey, as the trumpet can sound at anytime. For Nigeria, everyone should be full of prayer. Jesus has already foretold all that are happening now. As for Nigeria the bible says “If my people called by my name shall humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, and I will heal their land, (2 Chronicles 7.14).
On Nigeria, God wants us to humble our heart and shun arrogance. We beseech Nigerians to get prepared for the election next year to usher in new set of leaders in a free and fair election. If God permits us everyone must play his or her civic roles and duties. Let us leave everything in the hand of God.
Church programmes
Tuesday Bible Study 6-7pm, Wednesday Hours of Mercy 11pm – 5.00am
Thursday Sunday School preparatory Class 6-7pm, Fridays Vigil
Saturday Choir Practice, Sunday Workers Prayers 7.30 -8.15, Sunday School 8.15-10.00am
Divine Service 10.00am-12noon.
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