The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leadership has described the death of three of its members as a significant loss to the organization.
This is according to a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Rev. Samson Ayokunle’s Special Assistant for Media Communication, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji.
The association stated that the void left by the members’ deaths would be felt deeply by their families, the church, and the country, owing to the impactful lives they led.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), CAN recently lost three members in quick succession.
They are: Rev. Obiora Ezekiel, General Overseer of Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM), Wife of the late General Overseer of Four Square Gospel Church, Pastor (Mrs) Badejo, and Nomthi, Wife of Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya.
The association noted with sadness and regret that some key leaders of the Body of Christ were unexpectedly relocating to the great beyond.
It urged Christians to pray for protection and long life for church leaders so that they can carry out their responsibilities.
“We express our condolences to Pastor Odukoya on the recent homecoming of his dear wife after a long battle with cancer, and we pray for divine comfort and consolation.”
“The Lord will not allow her relocation to derail his assignment, but will instead assist him in rising to the occasion.”
“In Jesus’ name, the seemingly tragic event will turn out for good, as the Lord promised us in Romans 8:28.”
“While we are still reeling from the loss of Pastor Nomthi, another great servant of God, a teacher of teachers, pastor of pastors, mentor and father of many giants in faith, Rev. Obiorah Ezekiel has joined them,” the statement said.
According to the association, Ezekiel was one of the founding fathers of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), where he provided leadership with unwavering integrity.
“May God Himself comfort Rev. Mercy Ezekiel, his church and ministry, Christ Pentecostal Mission (CPM), and the leadership of PFN,” the statement said.
Ezekiel was described by the association as not only an evangelist par excellence, but also an epitome of integrity, transparency, power, prayers, discipline, signs, and wonders until his death.
“This is why he was dubbed the ‘Demon Bulldozer.’ His relocation came at a time when his wisdom and godly counsel were desperately needed as the umbrella body of all churches in the country.
“However, our consolation is that he slept in the Lord whom he served until the end,” CAN said.
CAN also sent its condolences to Four Square Gospel Church and the Badejos over their matriarch, who died barely three months after the demise of her husband.
“We pray God to watch over the rest of us and help us to live everyday of our lives to the glory of His name, in Jesus’ name,” the association said.
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