Popular Preacher, Rev. (Mother ) Esther Abimbola Ajayi and Founder, Love of Christ Generation Church has called on Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance and national unity if they desire the country to succeed despite our present economic circumstances.
Speaking at a media parley to announce the 16th Anniversary of the Church and 2nd Anniversary of its Lagos Cathedral, Rev. (Mother) Ajayi stated that every Nigerian desires prayers and her church was open to all persons no matter their beliefs or religion.
She affirmed that as a nation, apart from shunning religious
intolerance, religion should not be a criteria for those we should associate
with or appoint into positions. According to her the disunity caused by
religious bigots has led us nowhere.
She stated that the anniversaries scheduled for September 3, 2023, in Clapham, London and September 10, 2023, in Lagos will be used to thank God and also preach unity.
She urged leaders to always seek divine wisdom to lead the country right, while also calling for patience and steadfastness from the citizenry.
Rev (Mother) Ajayi who is fondly called Iya Adura further
admonished Nigerians to stop making negative pronouncements about our country, emphasizing that there is power
in the tongue. Rather, she asked Nigerians to pray for and speak positively
about the nation.
In her words, “ When Nigeria began, there was nothing like you
are a Christian or you are a Muslim, we were one big happy family and I pray
that God will come through for Nigeria to return us to those good old days.
When Christians are celebrating, Muslim will come around and the same thing
used to happen during Christian celebrations. We celebrated together, that is
our foundation and we are trying in this church to bring that back.
“What I am preaching is national unity, you don’t have to be a
Christian to enter this church, it is my Father’s house. If they come in and
God wins their soul, that will be good after all, there is nothing God cannot
do, but Love of Christ (LOC) is a place where the glory of God shines for
everyone”
Speaking about the anniversaries, Rev. Mother Ajayi stated
that the occasion will be used to thank God for his faithfulness through the
years.
She stated that the anniversary activities will begin on
Saturday, August 26, 2023, with a Youth Sports Festival at Pinnock Estate Leisure
Centre, Lagos, this would be followed on Sunday, August 27 with a praise and
worship session handled exclusively by youths-themed “Breaking Limits”.
Sunday, September 3, 2023, will be the turn of London, United
Kingdom, where the church began. The event scheduled for LOC Clapham, London
SW9 9DA will have Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) Ajitena of CLIWOM Sanctuary of Praise, London as special
guests.
The Lagos celebration will also be used to mark the second
Anniversary of the LOC Cathedral Lagos will begin on September 8, 2023, with a
7-hour praise & worship vigil. Sunday, September 10 will feature a
Thanksgiving Service which will be the grand finale.
Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), will deliver a sermon. Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Amb. Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Senator Gbenga Daniel, Chief (Mrs.) Onikepo Akande, Ooni of Ife HIM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, Dr (Mrs.) Quincy Ayodele, Mrs. Afolakemi Omosalewa, Mr. Rotimi George-Taylor, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Retd), Dr. & Mrs. Peter Obafemi will also be in attendance.
She also revealed that the following artistes will perform
during the anniversary: Lanre Teriba (Atorise), Big Bolaji,Tolani Qadri, Segun
Hdonu Williams Addo (Eazy Entertainment), Aduke Gold and Yinka Alaseyori Bidemi
Olaoba.
Reflecting on the last 16 years, Rev. Mother Ajayi noted that
her most challenging moment was when court bailiffs came to evict her from a
10-bedroom rented property she was using as a church and residence in the UK.
“That day, Bailiffs came with police and even immigration officers
and locked up the place. My husband was in the hospital day and It was as if
will never smile again. They threw us out in the London cold.
“I could not tell my husband so as not worsen his health
condition but as it is said in Luke Chapter 1: 37, God nothing is
impossible. And also as it happened in
Psalm 126, The Lord turned around our situation like He turned around the
captivity of zion.
“I had only seven pounds on me at the time, I can never forget
that occasion, but such affliction will not rise again. The thing about me was
that I kept believing, like it is said
in Jeremiah Chapter 29: 11. I knew the
thought the Lord had for me was that of goodness and not evil, I knew that
Jesus Christ will certainly do something. I held on to Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 that
there is time and season for everything, I knew that period was a just a season
and it will soon be gone.
“And that is what I am telling all those who are going through
tough times now, it will soon be over because like we all know, as captured in
John 3:16, for God so loved the world and gave his only begotten son, God loves
us and will always want the best for us. So tough times don’t last but tough
people do.
She also used the occasion to appeal to Nigerian youths to
remain focused and endeavor to get empowered through formal education. She
noted that whatever skill anyone has or desires to acquire, he or she must be
educated.
She revealed that it is due to her passion for education and
philanthropy in general that her foundation is sponsoring 128 students in
various private universities in Nigeria.
She also had a word for singles, urging them not go into
marriage without preparation. According to her “Marriage is a life long thing.
It is not like strolling into a supermarket, and if you don’t find what you
want, you move to the next one. You need to pray and choose carefully before
going into it. That is what we would be concentrating on after this
anniversary” she stated.
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