… dedicates 20,000-seater cathedral

The Spiritual Leader of Christ’s Chosen Church of God International Snr. Apst. Dr. David Unuefe has condemned in strong terms the use of the pulpit as a campaign arena to canvas for votes, saying the Church as a sanctuary remains a sacred place of true worship to God.

He made this known at the church dedication of its new 20,000-seater cathedral complex during the celebration of the 2024 annual national convention of the church, which commenced on August 13th in Benin City.

Addressing members, the General-Overseer said the idea of constructing and completing the new church cathedral complex was earlier conceptualized by the founding fathers of the Church who saw the need to accommodate the growing population of the church, especially during its annual national convention in a large and befitting church auditorium.

According to Snr. Apst. Unuefe, some genuine efforts by the founding fathers that suffered some setback were made in the past to construct a modern church auditorium till January 19, 2019, when he laid the foundation for the construction of the 20,000-seater church auditorium.

He said, “The Lord spoke to my heart loudly that I should make a tent for him and his children. Can you do it for me? the Lord asked me.

“And I said, yes Lord, by your grace. And what you are seeing now is the result of faith through hard work, which I call an act of obedience to the will of God. And it is my greatest joy to see that what God spoke to me in the quiet has now been made open, and today we are celebrating.”

He further appreciated members of the church and eminent personalities who contributed immensely towards ensuring the successful completion of the church auditorium, adding that the dedication of the 20,000-seater auditorium was to the glory of God who inspired others to key into the vision.

Reacting to the use of the pulpit as campaign arena, the clergyman advised members to shun the different antics deployed by politicians in swaying the minds of the electorates by going around campaigning in different churches, stressing that the house of God must not be allowed to be reduced to a mere political arena where different parties resort to canvassing for votes.

He further admonished politicians to always play the game by the rules by promoting a peaceful atmosphere that would allow for the conduct of a free and fair election in the state.

Earlier, some of the parties and their candidates in the forthcoming September 21 governorship election seized the church dedication ceremony to canvas for votes in favour of their candidates.

Also, a book titled ‘The Wheel of Progress’ written by Snr. Apostle Unuefe was launched as part of activities to celebrate the 2024 annual national convention.

The book is a chronology of the life and times of dedicated service of both past and present leaders of Christ’s Chosen Church of God International in the vineyard of the Lord.

Earlier, the guest speaker of the church dedication ceremony, General Overseer of the Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in his address, commended the leadership and members of Christ’s Chosen Church of God International for its achievement in the completion of the new auditorium, adding that only the awesome power of God made it a reality.

Pastor Ayo said, “A befitting auditorium like this one only says one thing; that God is here in this church. If it was not a worship centre without the awesome power of God as God ordained it to be then, it would just be an ordinary event centre. But I see and feel his presence here in our midst because a magnificent edifice as this has been built by the amazing people of God to connect God’s children and his people to heaven”.

The dedication of the auditorium was graced by eminent personalities which include the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, and traditional leaders both from Edo and Delta states.

Also the governorship candidates of the Labour Party, Olumide Akpata, was in attendance while the APC candidate Sen. Monday Okpebholo was represented by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the PDP candidate Dr. Asue Ighodalo was represented by Mr. Ose Anenih.

Mrs. Margaret Agbonifo, national chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria led other members to the church dedication ceremony.

Meanwhile, the 2024 annual national convention with the theme titled “Oh come and see what God has done,” which featured among other activities, also witnessed the ordination of some of its members as deacons.