From Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu/
Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has called on people around the world to make a genuine love of humanity their watchword.
Chief Obasanjo spoke in New York City during 2018 Celebrate the Comforter event, an annual joint crusade of white garment churches under Cherubim and Seraphim denomination, originated by Founder, New Generation Church of Christ – Rev Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi.
The former president said that people could only celebrate the God the Comforter through their behaviour to others.
He added that to celebrate the comforter, “We must remain steadfast, be prayerful, and love our neighbours like ourselves.
“We must become small comforters to others; that is our job, our responsibilities, the way to go about our jobs as children of God.”
Chief Obasanjo commended the convener and financier of the international crusade, Rev. Mother Ajayi and her husband for their roles in supporting the less privileged.
He said that Rev. Mother Ajayi radiated the love of God towards all around her and that “is worthy of emulation”.
The former president asked the congregation to sing: “What shall I render, what shall I render, what shall I render to you oh Lord? I will sing your praise, and shout Hallelujah, What shall I render to you oh Lord?”
He urged the congregation to do well and seek the wellness of their neighbours, bearing in mind that one day they would render an account of their earthly sojourn to God.
The Supreme Head of the Celestial Church of Christ, Pastor Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa, called for unity of Christians in the white garment denominations. He prayed for world peace and blessed the people used by God to create an event like Celebrate the Comforter. He also prayed for God’s mercy and continued favour for Rev. Mother Ajayi.
The Head, Cherubim & Seraphim Worldwide, Dr Solomon Adegboyega Alao said, “God blessed this generation with a believer like Rev. Mother Ajayi.”
He urged her to remain focused on the great work she is doing for God and humanity.
The Ooni of Ife, Imperial Majesty Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, said that all earthly kings lived under the borrowed title, adding: “God is the real king.”
He then sang in Yoruba: “Maa joba lo Oluwa, Ijoye t’a ko le ro l’oye… (Reign on Lord, the ruler that cannot be replaced…).”
The Ooni added that human beings must learn to appreciate God because He owned the lives and gave the lives to us on loan.
“Every night, we sleep, not knowing what happened around us. He momentarily takes the lives for safekeeping and returns them to us in the morning if he so wishes,” he said, stressing that no one can serve God without love and humility.
He told the story of how he went with a woman to a country’s representative full of excitement and good spirit, but the representative was hostile to the woman and flawed all her presentations but the woman kept smiling. She did not react as expected by the official to the hostility; she was warm throughout and never stopped smiling.
At a point, the representative shook hands with the woman and commended her for smiling despite all the harsh comments from him. The Ooni then disclosed that the woman is Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi. This revelation attracted a thunderous applause from the congregation.
Ooni urged the Reverend Mother to continue being good as that confirms she practises what she preaches. Ooni, however, warned Ajayi that she has enemies because no one does good things at that magnitude without having enemies.
“They can even be in this hall right now. They will say ‘is she the only one?’ Don’t let that bother you. Go on doing the good, and keep on smiling.”
In her welcome address, Rev. Mother Ajayi said that the Celebrate the Comforter was to continually appreciate God for his love for mankind. She said the event was also to pray for the peace and progress of Nigeria and America, also for strength and stability of nations. She urged every living soul to focus on the unity of purpose and shun discrimination as God is love.
She earlier spoke about getting the inspiration for uniting the white garment churches from a dream she had. She revealed that since she actualized the dream, God has been springing good surprises on her. She said Celebrate the Comforter by God’s grace would be a yearly event.
Furthermore, she appreciated Chief Obasanjo, Ooni of Ife, Elerinmo of Erinmo Ijesha, Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Onigbaye of Igbaye, Olofin of Ado Odo, Onimoba of Moba, Alara Oodaye of Ife, and all the monarchs that attended the event.
Retired Senior Evangelist Samuel Kayode Abiara of Christ Apostolic Church, Agbala Itura, called for a special prayer session for Rev. Mother Ajayi and her husband, Dr Muyiwa Ajayi “because God is using them to touch lives and spreading love among mankind”.
They were invited to come on stage and be prayed for by the congregation.
He said that as no one could do without water, so also no one could do without Jesus.
He appreciated the Ajayis for leading people on the part of salvation.
The Chairman Central Working Committee, Celebrate the Comforter, Dr Richard Fasunloye, said: “The zeal for the Celebrate the Comforter and its continuation in 2018 comes from a single-handed sponsorship of the events by Rev. Mother Ajayi and co-sponsor Rev. Dr Muyiwa Ajayi.
“Her commitment has inspired and motivated young and old, men and women in the two churches to come together in one accord for this yearly event,” he said.
Dr Fasunloye revealed that Rev. Mother Ajayi is also the Founder of Esther Ajayi Foundation, a charitable organisation with the primary aim of helping the poor, the needy and underprivileged.
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