Culture as Heavenly Language: Ottawa Church Diversifies Praises and Worship

Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu/

Culture seemed a heavenly language when other African countries joined Nigerian tribes praising God in their cultural attires and languages at the weekend.

It was at the annual CAC Way-to-Life, Ottawa, Canada’s Cultural Praise Sunday. The church, noted for its regular corporate social responsibility, holds the cultural praises yearly to enable members and their friends to have closer ties with God as they offer praises in their mother tongues.

The Cultural Committee Chairman, Mr. Abimbola Michael, with the assistance of his committee members, coordinated this year’s programs.

Ms. Adeola Babayale and Mr. Tokunbo Adewuyi co-compered the day’s program.
The church members turned out in their various traditional attires and sang praises in diverse languages. Togo, Cote D’Ivoire, and some other African countries were represented as well as every Nigerian geo-political area.

The Edo, Imo, Cross Rivers, and Akwa Ibom had the earliest performance. Pastor (Mrs) Omowunmi Adeoye aligned with the Edo group at the event. Sister Roseline Ojugbo led the Igbo group. The Northern states immediately followed their beautiful performances. Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, and Lagos jostled to outshine themselves in cultural spiritual praises rendered in their various dialects.

Earlier, the church founder and Senior Pastor Debo Adeoye, recalled in his sermon that praises in the diversity of languages were mentioned in Psalm 150, and worshipping with instruments1st Samuel, chapter 5, verses 1-5.

Pastor Adeoye, who identified with his Ondo State by wearing a sky-blue Agbada outfit, urged brethren not to worship God at face value. He said appreciating God through praises and worship must come from their hearts, for that is the only way acceptable to God. He quoted Isaiah 29 verse 13. The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.

All the Nigerian states performed wonderfully, but Ekiti State went further by having a cultural uniform for the day. The group leader, Mrs Kehinde Oyinloye, ensured this. They showcased purple Yoruba traditional Aso Oke, worn by the state’s men and women. Their group was led in performance by Evangelist Olatunde Ogunleye, popularly known as Ola Glorious. Assistant Pastor Sola Babatunde added color to the performance with his dance steps.

The Ondo group performed with Pastor Adeoye in tow, wearing sky-blue Agbada.
All the church elders shone like a million stars as they turned out in their various cultural wears.

Volunteered members brought all types of foods to seal the day’s joy.

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