Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu, From Ottawa/
When Christopher Adebo Adeoye, a newly married young man at 31, was called to serve as a pastor in the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), he felt a mixture of emotions. He had dreams of enjoying life and advancing in his career, much like his peers. Now, 25 years later, Pastor Adeoye reflects on how his unique negotiation with God shaped his journey.
On Sunday, June 17, 2024, Pastor Adeoye celebrated his 25th ordination anniversary, filled with gratitude and joy. He reminisced about the pivotal moment when he accepted his calling, despite his initial reluctance.
“I negotiated with God,” he recounted. “I told Him, ‘I will serve you, I will do your work, but I don’t want to be a beggar pastor.’ This agreement kept me from relying on the church for survival, and that’s why I don’t raise funds.”
Balancing his pastoral duties with a successful career, Pastor Adeoye expressed deep satisfaction with his dual roles. He thanked God for his supportive wife and children, who stood by him throughout his journey.
“I love obedience,” he said, attributing much of his success to his willingness to follow God’s guidance.
Pastor (Dr.) Solomon Oyeleke, retired DCC Superintendent of CAC Mount Pleasant, Bronx, USA, offered prayers for Pastor Adeoye from Brazil, acknowledging his diligent service from the start.
“Pastor Adeoye oversaw about eight churches while in Nigeria,” Oyeleke said, highlighting his dedication.
The ordination ceremony coincided with Father’s Day, adding a special dimension to the celebration. Pastor Adeoye took the opportunity to pray for fathers, urging them to fulfill their roles with dedication.
A key moment during the Thanksgiving was the ordination of three new elders: Elder Bamidele Babalola (Baba Majemu), Elder Adebowale Odeyemi (to lead the Toronto branch), and Elder Michael Abimbola. Pastor Adeoye prayed that they would serve in accordance with God’s will.
His wife, Evangelist Omowunmi Adeoye, spoke highly of her husband’s steadfastness and dedication. Church elders and members also praised Pastor Adeoye for his exemplary conduct and leadership.
Born on April 27, 1968, in Osogbo at the mission house of CAC Araromi No. 1, Pastor Adeoye’s life began under humble circumstances. A catechist with no prior experience delivered him, as the midwife was absent. This auspicious start set the tone for a life marked by divine guidance and achievement.
Pastor Adeoye’s educational journey saw him attend Ebenezer African Primary School and Oyemekun Grammar School in Akure. He earned his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Accounting from the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, and Yaba College of Technology. Furthering his education, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Caleb University, Lagos, an MBA from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and an MSc in Corporate Governance from Leeds Beckett University, UK.
His professional career is equally impressive. After joining the National Library of Nigeria in 1993, he held various key positions, including Finance Manager at SCOA Trading, Finance Director at General Motors Nigeria, and a senior role at Chevron. In 2014, he founded DEB Professional Practice, a chartered accounting firm, and Prefix Strategy Consulting.
A Certified Public Accountant CPA (USA), Pastor Adeoye’s professional accolades include fellowships and certifications from several prestigious institutions, including ICAN, ISACA, and ISC2. He is a licensed financial advisor in Ontario and actively participates in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, both in Canada and Nigeria.
Pastor Adeoye passed his ICAN professional examination in the November 1991 diet and was admitted into full membership of ICAN in 1993.
Pastor Adeoye is a fellow of the institute of chartered accountants of Nigeria (FCA), Chartered Institute of Taxation, Certified Information System Auditor (CISA), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Controls (CRISC), Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) all from ISACA, Illinois USA, Certified Public Accountant CPA(USA), Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) from ISC2, Florida USA, and a licensed Ontario Financial Advisor in Canada.
He is the present coordinator of the Ottawa Chapter of the Canada District of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and served as a committee member of the student affairs committee of ICAN in 1999-2000. He is also a member of the Planning Committee of the ICAN Canada District Annual Conference.
He left Chevron in 2011 for accounting practice and joined TAC Professional Practice (Chartered Accountant). He retired voluntarily from TAC in 2014 to set up his own professional practice, DEB professional practice (Chartered Accountants), a firm of financial/management accountants, and Tax practitioners where he serves as the managing partner. He also set up a consulting firm, known as Prefix Strategy Consulting, with strength in internal controls, business advisory, training, and human capital recruitments.
Ordained on June 11, 1999, Pastor Adeoye rose to the position of District Superintendent in Nigeria before moving to Canada in 2018. He now serves as the Senior Pastor of CAC Way to Life in Ottawa, overseeing branches in Montreal, Toronto, and Akure.
Pastor Adeoye’s journey is a testament to his faith, dedication, and the successful balance of his spiritual and professional lives. He is happily married to Lady Evangelist Omowunmi Adeoye, and they are blessed with three children: Adewale, Adenike, and Adebisi.
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