OYE EKITI CHURCH

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH, OYE EKITI

          The Seventh-Day Adventist message came to Oye Ekiti when Pastor Tunde Ojewole held an open air crusade in 1995. There were baptisms and a building of two flats was donated to the church by Mrs. Bamise, (a non Adventist) though in 2001 the building was forcefully taken over by her siblings. The first place of worship was in an uncompleted building.

          In early 1996 the arrival of Pastor Joshua A. Adesina to oversee Oye and Ifaki Churches led to the use of the building donated to the church by Mrs. Bamise. One flat was used as Pastor’s residence and the other as a worship hall. Work started. The pastor’s effort however sowed seed in many hearts and the family of Mr. Adameji Omoniyi, an indigene was won into the fold.

          In October 1996, the creation of Ekiti State brought the family of Mr. Ogunmola, S.O. to Itaji Ekiti.  However, they settled at Ilupeju Ekiti. Ilupeju Ekiti was about four (4) kilometers away from Oye Ekiti.  Mr Ogunmola S. O. and his family always trecked to Oye  Ekiti every Sabbath day to worship, until in late 1997 when Pastor Onaolapo Ajibade, the President West Nigeria Conference, visited Oye and appointed Mr. Ogunmola, S. O. as  volunteer pastor to replace Pastor Adesina J.A. who was to further his education at the Adventist Seminary of West Africa now Babcock University. The departure of  Pastor J. A. Adesina brought Ogunmola’s family to live at the Pastor’s residence.

          In year 2000 when the South West Nigeria Conference took step to rennovate the building donated to the church and to reconstruct the second flat to a church auditorium, Mrs. Bamise’s siblings became violent to the point of removing louver blades, carried away church blocks and even arrested Elder S. O. Ogunmola. Pastor S.D.A Adelakin, the District Pastor took the matter up to the Conference but the Conference authority resoved to let go all matters relating to the building. The Ogunmola’s family had to pack out of the house within a month.

          Worships were held in sitting rooms for years afterwards. Devoted Adventists that were civil servants like Mr. and Mrs. Ajisegbede and NYSC members came and did their best and left but the church remained. In 2010, the presence of Late Elder Bisi Arije as the church leader with his family and the family of Mr. and Mrs. Adeoye was a morale booster. However, the sudden demise of Mrs Dupe Arije and Elder Bisi Arije in 2011 was a hard blow on the church.

          In January 2012, the church worshipped for the first time on her land under an uncompleted lamb shelter. On a visit, Pastor Osaguna was encouraged by the level of development he saw that he appealed to Opopogbooro S.D.A. Church, (the mother church) for assistance. They approved a sum of fifty thousand naira to complete the lamb shelter.

In year 2013, the church began to mould blocks and by year 2015 the members through joint efforts and sacrifice started the church building. The members were never levied but they gave as they were blessed. Through their dedication, sacrifice, love and unity, the church was roofed in year 2016. Thanks to Elder Ogunmola S. O. the Church Leader and Deacon Adeoye P. O. who shouldered the bulk of the work.

Pastor Olona S. O., Mrs Ogunmola M. O., Mrs Adeoye A. R., Mrs Adameji Christianah, and Sister Omopeluola Esan donated generously.  Mr Ekundayo Williams, Mrs Adu A. O., gave as they were blessed.

Elder Olatiilu, Elder Adedoyin and others would always donate their widow’s mite any time they came to worship with us

During Annual Ingathering Services of the Church, members always dedicate their time, money and properties for the work of God.

Today there are five (8) families with fourteen (15) baptized members and about eight (8) children in the church.

Families in Oye Church

1.     Mr Adameji Omoniyi.

2.     Elder Ogunmola S. O.

3.     Mr Adeoye P. O.

4.     Mr Ekundayo W. S.

5.     Mr Adu

6.     Mr Ofori

7.     Mr Omowaye Emmanuel

8.     Mrs Esan Omopeluola.

Pastors that have served in Oye Church

1.     Pastor Adesina Joshua A.

2.     Pastor Ajibola M. O.

3.     Pastor Olona S. O.

Laymen that have served

1.     Late Elder Bisi Arije.

2.     Elder Ogunmola S. O.

Many Corpers have come and left but up till today most of them are still in contact with the church. Among them are:

1.     Mr Akindele

2.     Miss Isaac Maureen

3.     Miss Yusuf  Peace Shalom (Children Teacher)

The gradual growth of the Church (in stages)

The Lamb shelter still within the normal church building

lamb shelter 2015

 The roofing of the church started with absolute trust in the power of GOD. The little amount the church had was deposited for the supply of planks. Immediately the planks were supplied, work commenced....

Removing the lamb shelter in order to  roof  the church building
December 30, 2016

Church Roofing begins

 Members were encouraged to see the work progressing and they started giving their widow's mite....

Roofing in progress January 2017

 The Lord greatly used Elder Ogunmola Samuel Olabode, the church leader  for this work. He was a source of encouragement and members responded adequately.

 The members worshiped under the half-completed church for many sabbaths before the Lord did another miracle.

Children Class

The roofing completed.

 The Lord miraculously used Deacon Adeoye Peter Oluwadare who supplied the remaining corrugated sheets to complete the roofing.

Members on Sunday doing sand-filling

How far God has helped us. September 2017

Corper Peace Shalom Yusuf being sent forth after her one year NYSC service. A dedicated, loving and charming sister. Children's Teacher, caring and highly devoted. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Oye Ekiti in Ekiti State celebrates her. Our prayer is that she prospers and excels in life.

We will miss her. The children will miss her.

The members of SDA Church, Oye Ekiti during the send forth of Sister Peace Shalom Yusuf.

SENDFORTH

Another Corp member is being sent forth today Saturday 20th October, 2018. He is Brother Daniel Kehinde Bakare. A very quiet, responsible and devoted christian. A lover of all.

The Church will surely miss him.

Mrs Adeoye A. R. on behalf of the church presenting
gift to Bro. Daniel Kehinde Bakare at the end of his
one year stay in Ekiti as NYSC member. (2018)