Aladura

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Aladura is a classification of churches that abide by the religion - Christianity founded in 1918 in West Nigeria by 5 people [Olowe], with over 3 million adherents worldwide.

"Aladura" means "Praying People" in Yoruba.

Churches known as Aladura churches emphasize the power in praying and believe in faith healing and various elements associated with Pentecostalism. Most of the founders of the churches were associated with Anglicanism, though some Methodists joined the movement as well. The churches despise the power of traditional African religion, because they deem that power to be basically malign. Therefore they sometimes burn cult images as "idols" and oppose both polygamy and witchcraft. Unlike Kimbanguism, the churches tend to avoid politics and focus instead on the "holiness movement."

Aladura Movement started at Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria in 1918. This movement later metamorphoshed to Faith Tabernacle and finally to Christ Apostolic Church. Today, although most churches in Western Nigeria can be correctly called "Aladura"; they can be categorized into Pentecostals and Spiritualists. The popular Aladura Indegenous Churches are:

Aladura Pentecostals

1. Christ Apostolic Church

2. Redeemed Christian Church of God

3. Mountain of Fire Ministries

4. Deeper Life Bible Church

Aladura Spiritualists

1. Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim

2. Church of the Lord (Aladura)

3. Celestial Church of Christ

4. Celica Church of Christ

The Aladura Spiritualists are also called "White Garment" Churches. Christ Apostolic Church, popularly called CAC, is the precursor of Aladura Pentecostalism.

Christ Apostolic Church

The first Aladura Movement emerged from St. Saviour's Anglican Church, Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria in 1918 after the Sexton, Ali, had related a dream to four Elders of the church, J.B. Sadare, E.O. Onabanjo, D.C. Oduga, and E.O.W. Olukoya. They started vigorous prayer sessions. In consequence, they initiated the "Prayer Band", popularly called "Egbe Aladura". After D.O. Odubanjo joined the Movement in 1919, they became influenced by the doctrines of Faith Tabernacle of Philadelphia. They rejected infant baptism and all forms of medicine, whether western or traditional. This led to a conflict of doctrines with the Angligan Church, and as such, they were forced out of the church. Mr Joseph Sadare was compelled to give up his post in the Synod and others were forced to resign their jobs and to withdraw their children from the Anglican School. The Aladura Movement began as a renewal movement in search of true spirituality.^[3]

A revival took place in 1918 during the outbreak of influenza epidemic. The group filled with the Holy Ghost used prayer to save many lives affected by the Influenza epidemic. This consolidated the formation of the prayer group. This movement grew gradually and formed branches throughout Nigeria. Also, the name of the group went through several changes, such as Prayer Band, Precious Stone, Diamond Society, and Faith Tabernacle, in that order until 1930. A great revival started in July 1930 by the raising of a dead body by Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola at Oke-Oye in Ilesa. People trooped from neighbouring cities and countries to receive healing at Ilesa. Several people were healed through the power of prayer and there were evidences of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The revival lasted about 60 days and it's still regarded as the greatest revival ever in Nigeria. Faith Tabernacle of Nigeria later invited the Apostolic Church of England in 1931 to form an Association which lasted till 1939. The Revival group went through several name changes until, after 24 years of its formation, it finally adopted the name Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in 1942. Today, CAC has spread worldwide and definitely is the precursor of Aladura Pentecostal Churches in Nigeria. Visit [CAC website] at http://www.cacworldwide.net/ or http://www.greatrevivals.com/. The Church has established several schools at all levels, including Joseph Ayo Babalola University.

There are several other churches that stemmed out of Christ Apostolic Church.

Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim

Moses Orimolade, who was later called Baba Aladura, or Praying Father founded the Eternal Sacred order of Cherubim and Seraphim society in 1925, also as a prayer group within the Anglican Church. Captain Christiana Abiodun his later adopted daughter fell into a trance from which Moses Orimolade, who was already an itinerant evangelist and teacher, was the only one who could awaken her. By 1928 they had left the Anglican church to become independent. Their most distinctive ministry was to openly ferret out and challenge witches on their long evangelistic journeys through the countryside. These long trips were typical of Seraphim (as they are most commonly called) evangelists and missionaries. Today the church is one of the most popular, most attractive and most influential of the Aladura churches worldwide.

The Church of the Lord (Aladura)

Josiah Ollunowo Ositelu founded the Church of the Lord (Aladura) on 27 July 1930 at Ile Lisa, Ogere-Remo

Ositelu was born in 1902 to Dawodu Ositelu and Madam Rebecca Ejironike. His parents named him "Fakoya" at birth, however, Ositelu told his father he was "Oyelowo" and his baby brother should be called "Oyeleke".

Eventually, Ositelu became School Master Catechist at Orile Imo – Ishan – Erukute, Asha, Erunbe (Oko Egba).

Ollunowo Ositelu all his life used cold water to bath and drink, and never ate pork.

The First (Aladura: Ositelu) Disciples on 24 July 1930

Titus Olatunde, Joseph Aromuti, Benjamin Afolabi (from Faith Tabernacle Church, Ijebu Ode), Layide Akinyele, etc.

The first Tabborrar Festival was 10–22 August 1937.

Evangelism – (Cities Ollunowo Ositelu pioneered)

Ogere (the Fountain), Ibadan, Abeokuta, Sabongidda Orra (where the Hymn "Ati 'Segun de Isegun", and "Angel Ollusegun" derived – (i.e. "from Vic-to-ry unto Vic-tory"), Ijebu Ode, Aiyepe, Sagamu, Ijebu Igbo, Sobe, etc.

The Hymn derived from Mission to Sobe: "Lati 'hin de Sobe Lati Sobe de 'hin Ogun Oso gbona Ogun Aje gbona"

"From here, way down Sobe From Sobe, down way here The Withces Battles hot The Wizards Battles hot"

Ositelu also went on Missionary journeys throughout Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana and Sierra Leone.

God endowed Ositelu with Great Powers and he served the LORD with zeal, dedication, enthusiasm, diligence, and ALL.

Ollunowo Ositelu demonstrated God's Powers through miracles, healing, the Gospel, victory and power over Satan and evil powers.

Owoade Adeleke Adejobi

Emmanuel Owoade Adeleke Adejobi succeeded Dr Ollunowo Ositelu as the Head of the Church of the Lord (Aladura) on 7 May 1967.

During the Mount Tabborrar Festival on 22 August 1945, Ollunowo Ositelu read a message he received from God on Saturday 18 August 1945:

"Adeleke Adejobi is the Gbolahan (Torch Bearer) of the Church of the Lord Aladura".

Ollunowo Ositelu also promoted and appointed Adeleke Adejobi Prophet and Apostle on the Mount on that day (22 August 1945) and most importantly, pronounced that Adeleke Adejobi would be his successor.

In January 1966, presiding over the first International Churches Assembly at Ogere, Ollunowo Ositelu read again in his address, his vision of 18 August 1945, wherein God told him that Adeleke Adejobi was to be his successor. Ositelu also confirmed before the house his implicit faith, confidence and trust in Adeleke Adejobi, and declared him his successor.

Josiah Ollunowo Ositelu died in July 1966.

On Sunday, 7 May 1967, Adeleke Adejobi was innaugurated as the second Primate of the Church of the Lord Aladura.

Celestial Church of Christ

The Celestial Church of Christ (usually known as Cele) was founded in 1947 by a carpenter in Porto Novo, Samuel Oshoffa.

References

     CELICA CHURCH OF CHRIST

Celica Church of Christ was established through the injunction of the holy spirit on November 15th, 1992 at Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria and was announced to the world via a press conference on that day .In an extra research on the name of the church, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC),London programme on Africa made the world to understand that the word CELICA has its origin in Hebrew language which translated means Most Glorious. Hence the name of the church is translated as the Most Glorious Church of Christ from Heaven.The founder of the church is His Eminence the Anointed Prophet (Dr)Emmanuel Adetunji Adeonigbagbe. The International Headquarters of the church is located at Km 7, New Ife road , Ibadan. The church has branches in Nigeria, England, United States of America and South Africa .The church can be distinguished by its chant of hosanna and the mode of dressing, a white garment with a blue cross at left hand side of the garment .The logo of the church is an eye ,a cross and bible. The church believes in the efficacy of prayers and guidance by the Holy Spirit in all its programmes.

             ESTABLISHMENT OF CELICA CHURCH OF CHRIST

Prophet Adetunji Adeonigbagbe was a shepherd in the Celestial Church of Christ and he headed the km 7 parish, new Ife road, Ibadan .Before the demise of the founder of the celestial church, Pastor Oshoffa the Lord had continually shown prophet Adeonigbagbe in a vision, a golden cup which was full of dirt inside and outside. The Lord told him to wash the cup, as he washed the cup, it continually became more dirty then the Lord told him that if he was not allowed to wash the cup, he should ask for a new cup but he declined repeatedly. Prophet Adeonigbagbe loved Papa Oshoffa and the celestial church so much but more importantly he had no ambition to establish a church. The dirty cup signifies the Celestial Church before and after the demise of the founder Rev. S.B.J Oshoffa but the prophet continually declined time after time again. In another vision Papa Oshoffa appeared to Prophet Adeonigbagbe he showed him (Adeonigbagbe) 21 louvers of glass of which 18 had been broken. He told prophet Adeonigbagbe to try and join the louvers together again. In another vision Prophet Adetunji Adeonigbagbe was in a house which had several rooms, all the rooms except three had collapsed, one of the three rooms belong to prophet Adeonigbagbe, Papa Oshoffa then appeared and prophet Adeonigbagbe told him to enter the house but he refused. He told prophet Adeonigbagbe to command his room to come out the building to the space outside and when he did so it became a house on its own. Rev.Oshoffa then entered the house and conversed with the prophet. He led the prophet outside to a path and showed him a river. There were many people inside the river, it was polluted and dirty. Papa Oshoffa said he (Oshoffa) had allowed people into the river exclusively given to him by God and that they had polluted it. He led him to another river and said thus will be you river now, you can see it is very clean and not polluted; do not let anyone fetch water from it except you. He said these words in Yoruba “Odo kan, Orisun kan” which translates as “One River, One Source” In 1992, the Lord came to Prophet Adeonigbagbe again and asked him to ask for the descent of a new cup he declined as before but the Lord opened his mouth spiritually and the golden cup descended (a new dispensation). The Prophet Adeonigbagbe had no intention to form a new church so he asked the Lord Jesus Christ for signs to show that it was the will of God. His leg was lifted from the ground to mid-air as the first sign .In another vision the Lord called Rev. Oshoffa, the Lord asked for the spiritual object deposited with him,Rev. Oshoffa said he had given it to an elderly prophet but the Lord Jesus Christ said this (Prophet Adeonigbagbe) is the rightful owner. The spiritual object was brought and the Lord placed the object inside Prophet Adeonigbagbe’s body and it spiritually entered and disappeared within his body hence the great spiritual power conferred on him by God!Agbara Awamaridi,"the unsearchable power of God Almighty.

     In Celestial church of Christ,Yemetu,Ibadan,the Director of Prophets/Prophetesses Prophet S. Ayo Bode now Snr. Bishop (Prof) S. Ayo Bode (in the Celica fold) had been directed spiritually by the Lord that he was going to be shown the new pastor he had chosen. As Evangelist Bode was in his house one day, a celestial prophet in spirit drove to his house and told him to follow him. The prophet though in spirit drove all the way to celestial church, Km 7, Ife Oluwatedo Avenue, Ibadan, on the way he requested for a chalk and they got one. When they reached the church premises there was no-one in sight so the prophet went to the door of the shepherd of the parish prophet Adeonigbagbe and wrote the Angelic language “EPASTORAL” which means the Pastor. On August 15th, 1992, a pastor in South Korea told his congregation that the world was about to come to an end that they should start selling their properties and come and seek abode in the South Korean church. The pastor truly saw a sign but he didn’t get the correct interpretation. The whole church Celica Church of Christ (Km 7) were spiritually directed to assemble in the mercy land and were united in prayers and spirit then there was an eclipse of the sun spiritually this was announcing the arrival of a new dispensation. Immediately, the Holy Spirit descended on people and they started giving messages about the divine call of Celica. The prophet Adeonigbagbe that day received three visitors spiritually and they (the four of them) went round the church auditorium seven times. These three visitors were Prophet Moses Orimolade Tunolase, Founder, Cherubim and Seraphim church, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, Founder Christ Apostolic Church and Rev. Samuel Bilewu Oshoffa, Founder, Celestial church of Christ all of blessed memory. After going round the church they told prophet Adeonigbagbe they had finished their assignment on earth that it was now his turn and they passed the spiritual baton to him. This was one of the confirmations that he was being sent on a mission by God to the world. The Lord told him his call is divine and that he should open his bible and read Isaiah chapters 60 and 61 for the foundation of his call. During another vision the Lord also appeared to him (Adeonigbagbe) he placed a hot piece of rod in his hands that he should suffer what he (Jesus Christ) suffered too, he also put a garment on him which was too heavy for him (Adeonigbagbe) to carry but he said he will carry it and the Lord Jesus Christ later placed him on a white horse. The Lord Jesus Christ told him that during the time of Rev. Oshoffa a song was sung for him “Jesu ti joba (2ce) bi aiye fe bi aiye ko, Jesu ti joba” but that during his own time (Adeonigbagbe) this song will be sung “Kabiyesi, hosanna, eyin Jesu Kristi, Oba aiku, Egbe ga, Eyin Jesu o, Eyin Jesu Kristi, Oba aiku. In another vision, a dove which spiritually signifies love, purity, peace and humility brought two leaves, one dried and one fresh, on the fresh leaf, it was written “Celica Church of Christ, the most glorious Church of Christ from Heaven. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!

Compiled by OLUKUNLE ABIMBOLA (Preacher)

REFERENCE Ayodele,S.A and Showunmi,S.O(1992)"CELICA CHURCH OF CHRIST" An Introduction:FOP PRESS,Ibadan,Nigeria. Abimbola, O.A 2010)” The Call of Adeonigbagbe”Hadeholar Press,Ibadan,Nigeria.

See also

• Celestial Church of Christ
• Church of the Lord (Aladura)
• Christ Apostolic Church
• African Initiated Church
• Christ Apostolic Miracle Ministry

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