IKERE EKITI CHURCH

THE HISTORY OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH,

IKERE-EKITI

The knowledge about Seventh-Day Adventist church and the gospel of Jesus Christ’s second coming came to Ikere-Ekiti in late 1950s through Mr. Ogunrinde, an indigene of the town. He attended S.D.A. School of Nursing at Ile-Ife where he received the Adventist message. When he came back to Ikere-Ekiti, he and his family members used his residence as a Sabbath School Centre. Late Pastor Olayemi was the first Pastor to worship with him, followed by Pastor Familusi who was later transferred to Omuo-Ekiti. After his departure, nobody held service with the members again and there was no fellowship centre for a long period of time in Ikere-Ekiti.

Mr Adelegan, J. A. who was working in Lagos, lived with his sister, who got married to an Adventist. From this family, he received and accepted the Adventist faith. He was also baptized into Adventist family in 1986. When he came back from Lagos to settle at home, Ikere-Ekiti, there was no S.D.A Church or Sabbath School centre, where he could worship. But he insisted to hold tight to truth he had known, despite a lot of oppositions, condemnation, ridicles and discouragements from his friends and old church members. He decided to attend church services at Oke-Ijebu, Akure in Ondo State, carrying his family members of four on a motor-cycle. He later changed his membership to S.D.A Church, Ado-Ekiti.

In 1988, a group of Adventist called Christian Soldiers in Ado church considered the risk of the road for Mr Adelegan in coming to Ado Ekiti every Sabbath. A Sabbath School branch was organized at his residence in Ikere-Ekiti and Member of this group were coming to worship with him every Sabbath.

Also in 1988, Mr Alabi, J. A., an Adventist, who had been teaching in one of the secondary schools in Ikere-Ekiti came to the awareness of the Sabbath School centre. His family joined the family of Mr. Adelegan for worship in Mr. Adelegan residence for some years. The two families later approached the headmaster of St. John’s Primary School, Afao-Ikere and requested for a classroom they could use for Sabbath School Centre, which was granted. Elder M. O. Akande, (alias No complaint) was appointed the first Elder in-charge.

          In 1995, Pastor E. A. Adeleye sent three ordained Elders to be incharge of the following churches in Ado district.

- Elder Akinleye O. B. – Ilupeju Ijan Church

- Elder Adeniyi J. A. – Ago –Kajola Church

- Elder Aburo E. O. – Ikere Church

Elder Aburo E. O. took over the leadership of Ikere Church from Elder Akande who had worked for the solid foundation of the church.

          It was during the era of Elder E.O. Aburo as the Elder in-cahrge with the collaboration of church members that two plots of land was acquired for church building on Obe hill at Kajola quarters, Ikere-Ekiti. A Lamb-Shelter was constructed where members worshipped every Sabbath; and annual Harvest thanksgiving services took place there with the support of invited members from Ado-Ekiti Churches. Elder Adeniyi, J.A. (Omo Igbala) was prominent among the volunteers. With the creation of Ekiti-State in 1996, many government workers were posted to Ikere-Ekiti from Akure in Ondo State. Some Adventists among them joined the Sabbath School centre. The earliest notable and highly devoted family was Mr. and Mrs Fasusi J. B. The commitment to duty and spirituality of the whole family strengthened the cooperation among other members, in all church activities.

          Elder Aburo, the Elder in-charge with his leadership style of regular visitations and praying with members and non-members boosted the morale of members.

          In 1998, the Adventist Youth Society held the last joint Youth Camp between South West Nigeria Conference and West Nigeria Conference at the African Church Comprehensive High School (ACCHS), Ikere-Ekiti. After the camp, a three-week open air outreach was conducted by the Village Evangelism crew led by Pastor Tunde Dare and Pastor Samuel Olu Oyalabu at Ekuasa Hall which is the centre area of Ikere-Ekiti. The outreach was sponsored by Dr. Deji Adeleke through Faith of Fathers Ministry from Lagos. It was a successful programme, in which eighty members (80) were baptized, and the majority of them were indigenes of Ikere-Ekiti.

          The large number of converts from the outreach encouraged Dr. Deji Adeleke to purchase a plot of land, and to build a model church with bricks at Ijoka Street, Ikere-Ekiti. But, the supervsiors of the building left after roofing. The church members took over the responsibility of the finishing and completion of the church building up to the present stage.

          Immediately after the successful outreach with the large number of converts, Pastor Obaleye was posted to the church. He took over the leadership from Elder Aburo after managing the affairs of the church for four years.  

Church organization

          The church was organized on the 18^th of August, 2001 under the leadership of the South West Nigeria Conference leaders: Pastor (Dr) J. M. A. Oyinloye, President, Pastor Hakeem Smith, Secretary and Pastor E. A. Adeleye, SS/PM Director, Pastor S. D. A. Adelakin, District Pastor of Ado-Ekiti.

Past Pastors

Pastor Olayemi

Pastor Familusi J.F

Pastor Obaleye

Pastor Ore 1999-2001

Pastor Aina S.O

Pastor Babalola J.A.O

Pastor Olatunji J.O

Pastor Alabi J.O.

Pastor Awojobi K.

Pastor Oyewumi (Present Pastor)

CHURCH PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

1.      The church has two plots of land at Obe hill Kajola Afao              quarter, Ikere-Ekiti. The survey of the land had been done.

2.     There is a Church Building at Ijoka Street, Ikere-Ekiti with a temporary children department under construction. The initiative of a three (3) bed room flat for pastor’s residence was presented by Pastor Alabi, J.A. who started the foundation. The building got to lintel level before his transfer. May the lord bless his church and his people.