Rev. (Dr) Prophet David Okegbade Adigun Okesola was born in 1938 into family compound of Il k On l , gb nl r l in k - g n of y State of Nigeria. His father was Shittu Akande Okesola, while his mother was Asiawu Ajoro Mopelola. He was born into Islamic religion and named Tiamiyu Adigun Okegbade according to Islamic rites and ceremonies. In an interview the researcher had with him and as confirmed by prophetess Olojo,25 Prophet Okesola was a hunter who used to stay in the tick forest for a long period each time he was away to do what he knew to do best. One Muslim Cleric told him when he and his best friend went for inquiry from him that he saw him among the set of people wearing white garments in a place of worship but did not take it as a serious issue because, to him, he believed that it is a vision that cannot come to pass since he was then a Muslim and hunter. It was when he used to go for hunting and was unable to bring home any animal, which he started re-examining the message passed by this Muslim cleric.26
25 Interview held on March 28th , 2012 with Prophetess Olojo at Mokola hill, Ibadan
26 Alhaji Raheem Alabi, Aare Onilu Oba Agbonle, 2009. t n g s y Rev. Dr. Prophet. D.O. . Okesola, Hm Ruskyl Group, Ibadan. p.12.
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Furthermore Abdulraheem said the moment Prophet Okesola heard that Christianity , Cherubim and Seraphim, had reached Oke –Ogun of Oyo State, around gb nl in his home town, he created interest and used to go there to watch how they worshipped, conducted various services and whether they could solve his problem. Initially he was doing so to keep himself busy, and for entertainment. The moment he decided to stop going to this church, God almighty caught him and he was converted into Christianity and became one of the people in Cherubim and Seraphim Church. This brought to fulfillment the message given by the Muslim cleric. Rev. Prophet Okesola then changed his name from Tiamiyu to David:
“L j t d g n kes l gb p w n g s in on g gb kan w ag g l gb nl t a m s Cheru im and Seraphim ni ti l m a wo ran is r ns n il j s n n . L n d n pa nu pala iri t n s kann ni y r l ti darap m j C S y t s di m j ‖27 (The day Adigun Okesola heard that a Christian group known as Cherubim and Seraphim entered his village known as Agbonle, he immediately decided to go and watch what the church looked like, but unexpectedly after a while he was caught by God‟s spirit and became a member of the group)
His father Okesola Akande Shittu, did not cause trouble because of his son‟s conversion into Christianity, but other Muslims adherents complained and frowned at this unacceptable action and condemn it. His father then told the angry people that ―Oun t l run ad‘ d s p ohun t y se n y n hun n ni ti se y … ti w p k m j w r r ” (there is no reason for quarrel or fight, what happened to my son is what God had destined that will happen in his life; therefore let us accept God‟s wishes and destiny). After a while Prophet David Okegbade Okesola (Wolii Ibadan) secretly left Agbonle in the early hours of a particular day for Ibadan without informing his parents. It was secretly planned;
he did not let anybody know except one younger brother whom he warned seriously not to leak the secret to anybody. The parents were worried for a long time searching and looking for their son. It was three years after, through the efforts and help of Elder Amos Olalere and Mr. Ogundayo Mobolaji that his parents knew that that David Okesola was at Ibadan. It was Ogundayo Mobolaji that led Alhaj Raheem Alabi to where prophet Okesola was residing then.
27 Alhaji Raheem Alabi, Aare Onilu Oba Agbonle, 2009. t n g s ye Rev. Dr. Prophet .D.O. . Okesola, Hm Ruskyl Group, Ibadan.p.12
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One common remarkable feature in the formation or establishment of Ona Iwa Mimo Cherubim and Seraphim Churches, especially during the initial stage, is that the church was mostly established by individuals who had come to the supreme founder, Baba Aladura and Prophet Jacob Oke Adeola, to avail themselves of the immense power of God through healing of their ailments or getting solutions to their problems, as stated by Most Gen.
Apostle Jacob Bamimore.28 After they had been cured or empowered by the supreme founder and had embraced the doctrine of n w M m , Cherubim and Seraphim, they became representatives of the founder in either their home towns or wherever the Holy Spirit directed them, just like it happened in the case of the first Evangelist and Minister in charge of n w M m in Ibadan land – Pastor Okesola David Okegbade (a. k.a Wolii Ibadan), and Most Gen. Apostle Jacob Bamimore.29 After the divine call the new evangelists/ prophets or founders must undergo training under the supreme founder. Most of these men of God received divine call while others operated under the guidance of the Supreme Founder himself. Through this way, many churches were founded and administered before the death of the founder in 1976.
n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim emerged on Ibadan religious landscape and first established in Ibadan by Rev. (Dr.) Prophet Okesola Okegbade David, (a.k.a Wolii Ibadan) ,who was ordained into Church ministry on the 15th February, 1962. He started his ministry at Oranyan, Ibadan. His first boss was Pastor Samuel Ogunwole at Igbagbo Aladura Church. He had pastoral training for three years. He started his ministry at Temple of Christ but he was encouraged by his mentor, Baba Aladura Igboho, Prophet Jacob Oke Adeola, the Supreme Founder of n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, to start n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ibadan, which he did. He first started at Mokola Hill in 1965 and later moved to where the church building is today at Mokola, behind Veterinary Medical Centre, Army Barrack Road, Mokola Ibadan. Prophet Okesola is regarded as the first evangelist who brought the gospel, liturgy, tradition and n
28 Most Gen. Apostle Jacob Bamimore, who is the leader and minister -in -charge of n w M m C&S New Jerusalem, Ilupeju Bodija, Ibadan, interview held with him on 18th July, 2012 at Idi- Seke Bodija Ibadan
29 Prophet David Okesola a.k.a Wolii Ibadan interview held on January 20, 2009 within the church premises at Mokola and Most Gen. Apostle Jacob Bamimore who is the leader and minister in charge of New Jerusalem, Ilupeju Bodija, Ibadan, interview held with him on 18th July, 2012 at Idi- Seke Bodija Ibadan
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w M m branch of Cherubim and Seraphim to b d nland. He is not allowed to be called Founder since Prophet Adeola was the Supreme Founder and others cannot equate themselves with him. Therefore, the present worldwide leader is known as Supreme Head, while others, like Prophet Okesola, are addressed as „Ol dar j t l k so j ‘ (minister - in –charge). Apostle Segun Philips said any prophet or leader that establishes n w M m Church in any new ground or place all over the world is just minister- in- charge; he is not allowed to be called founder leader.30
Most Gen. Apostle Jacob Bamimore, confirmed that he and Prophet John Olarewaju were with Prophet Okesola at Mokola before they began their own ministry at Bodija, Ibadan.31 Prophet Okesola was given various positions, titles, honours and awards within Cherubim and Seraphim Church. He was the one who initiated n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim on 10th April, 2004, in his home town Agbonle in Oke –Ogun area of Oyo State and ordained Evangelist Okesola Michael to be in charge. He died on 9th March, 2009 and was buried on 13th June, 2009. This researcher interviewed him on four different occasions, in relation to his work. The researcher also worshipped with members at Mokola Church and had participant observation on Sunday, 29thApril, 2012 in the church. The wife of Pastor Okesola, Mother-in – Israel Abigail Okesola; his son, Evang. Wemimo Okesola;
and officers of the church leading the church at Mokola now continue to keep the flag of the church at Mokola flying. Also at n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim New Jerusalem Ilupeju Bodija, Ibadan, the researcher worshipped with members on 8th August 2012. He also worshipped at n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim Nig. & Overseas Gangansi Orita Merin Paara Rd. Ibadan (Ona Ara LG).
In Ibadan, the national headquarters groups n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim into two districts. The first is Moboluwaduro District, which comprises n w M m No.
1 Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Army Barrack Rd. Mokola, Ibadan, established by Pastor Prophet Okesola Okegbade David as administrative sub head, other branches are n w M m C&S, Mamu, Ibadan, n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim, G g ns , Ibadan, and
30 Most Snr. Apostle Segun Philips. the Vice Chairman of Ibadan Central Districts of Ona Iwa Mimo and the leader of Awotan Church known as Temple of Solution Spiritual Evangelical Ministry, Ataa Estate, Awotan Ibadan , Interview held on 7th, May 2012 at Awotan Ijokodo, Gbaremu and Prophet Pastor Adeolu Amao, Interview held on 30th , April 2012 at Ijokodo, Gbaremu with Prophet Pastor Adeolu Amao.
31 Most Gen. Apostle Bamimore who is the leader and minister in charge of New Jerusalem, Ilupeju Bodija, Ibadan, interview held with him on 18th July, 2012 at Idi- Seke Bodija Ibadan.
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n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim, Onigambari, Ibadan. The second district is Ibadan Central District, with its administrative sub-headquarters at New Jerusalem, n w M m C&S, Ilupeju Bodija, Ibadan, established in 1982; and other branches are n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim, Ijokodo, established in 1973; n w M m , Cherubim and Seraphim, Sango, established in 1974; n w M m , and n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Awotan, n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim Church Eleyele; n w M m C& S Akingbile;, n w M m C&S Olosun; n w M m C&S Orogun, Ibadan; and n w M m C&S Gangansi Oritamerin.32
The Districts officers are:
Moboluwaduro District-
Chairman - Apostle Samuel Oluwafunmilayo, Vice Chairman -Apostle S. Awujoola, Secretary -Evang. Mathew Awujoola, Asst. Secretary - Aladura Hezekiah Adesokan, Financial Secretary-Prophet Joseph Adedoyin, Treasurer - Snr. L/L E. Sofalobo, Auditor-Evangelical Secretary- Pastor M.A. Popoola, Public Relation Officer - Prophet Joshua Oladele, Patron –Baba Ijo Babawale, Matron- Mother- in –Israel Abigail Aremu.
Ibadan Central District-
Chairman - Pastor Prophet Adeolu Amao, Vice Chairman – Most Snr. Apostle Segun Philips, Secretary - Evang. Adetunji Williams, Financial Secretary - Aladura Elijah Akerele, Treasurer – Bro. Femi John Adebayo, Auditor - Pastor Jeremiah Ojubanire, Evangelical Secretary- Evang. Johnson Adubika, Good Woman Leader - Snr. Prophetess Foluke Olayode, General Supervisor - Snr. Apos. Prophet Moses Ayinla.
One of the major distinguishing features of n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim is its liturgy. The members believe that the earth and all that dwell therein are God‟s and that all the faculties of man must be oriented toward the worship and praise of the supreme ruler.
The religious forms that are peculiar to n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim are mainly services, ritual cleansing (holiness and purity), and sacred places and objects. Also included are the phenomena of dancing and clapping. The place of the Holy Spirit is very important to them. Starting with the supreme founder, Baba Aladura Prophet Adeola, the leaders are used to receiving orders from the Holy Spirit. Sometimes he might tell them to leave
32 Ona Iwa Mimo Cherubim and Seraphim Church of Nigeria and Overseas 2012 Daily Bible Reading (Bibeli Kika Ojoojumo Yoruba produced by the national headquarters at Igboho, Oyo-State Unpublished pp 92-103.
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whatever they are doing and embark on some journey. It was revealed that, on many occasions, some leaders were led out in the dead of the night by the Holy Spirit to intercept evil doers, where they had converged for their nocturnal meetings before embarking on their diabolical activities. It was reliably gathered that the Holy Spirit often carried Baba Aladura to the top of high hills. When he was not found on the hill-top, he used to be seen by the river-side or in a thick forest.33
The work and leading of the Holy Spirit cannot be overlooked in the growth of n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim Churches because; through the divine guidance and obedience of the founding fathers the church recorded unprecedented growth in membership over a short period of time. Special Apostle S. A. Ayeleke, national secretary in the early 1990‟s confirmed that n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim had over 128 registered branches and many unregistered branches worldwide. As a result of this rapid development and increase in membership, the church formulated a way of guiding its members through a system of rules and regulation which was first published in 1969 and later reprinted in 1988.
This constitution enumerates the code of conduct and obligations of members to the church as well as provides sanctions for erring members.34
The Holy Spirit is construed as the teacher, comforter and true guardian who was sent from God as promised by Jesus Christ. n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim members and leaders in Ibadan land see the manifestation of the Holy Spirit as the “Divine Key“ through visions, prophetic messages and dreams that unlock the gates of heaven for church leaders and members. That is why sacred preparations, various types of fasting, special prayers and rites are carried out as means of having communion with God, through which His Divine wishes, will, and mind would be made known through revelations.35
Pastor Okesola David Okegbade (a.k.a. Wolii Ibadan) said that n w M m Cherubim and Seraphim‟s founder, leaders and members have the strong belief that it is by the gift and leading of the Holy Spirit, which come in the power of prophesying, seeing
33 Interview with the first minister in charge in Ibadan Rev. (Dr.) Prophet Okesola David Okegbade on 25th May 2008 and 20th January 2009, at Ona Iwa Mimo Cherubim and Seraphim, No. 1, Mokola Ibadan.
34 Senior Evangelist Badejo interview held on 25th May 2008 at Ona Iwa Mimo Cherubim and Seraphim church No.1 Mokola Ibadan.
35 Senior Lady Leader Sofolabo of Ona Iwa Mimo Cherubim and Seraphim Church Nigeria and Overseas Ibadan No. 1, Army Barrack Road Mokola Ibadan, interview held on 29th April, 2012 at Mokola and Revd Pastor Prophetess Evangelist Elizabeth Titilayo Olojo Kosoko interview held on 4th May 2012 at Cultural Centre area , Mokola, Ibadan.
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visions and dreams with their interpretation and healing and praying that true Christians are known. He emphasised the importance of obeying the Holy Spirit and the Holy Bible, which is accepted as the Supreme Court of Appeal in all things and that the founding father St.
Moses Orimolade said the “Book of Jesus” that is the Bible, must be read, and followed to all intents and purposes36
Adenrele Adeola noted that n w M m , an arm of Cherubim and Seraphim, has an implicit belief in closeness of believers to God and in His preparedness to listen to their requests. She added that this belief stemmed from the concept of the Trinity-God, Son and Holy Spirit, all arising from the adherence to the words and teachings of the Holy Bible. To Cherubim and Seraphim members, the Bible was written by men through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they establish their practices on Biblical injunctions. They believe that they have been endowed with all spiritual blessings promised in the Holy Bible, that Jesus Christ did not come to erase the laws of Moses but to fulfil them; hence, there is no reason to condemn any part of the Bible as practised faithfully by Ona Iwa Mimo Cherubim and Seraphim in Ibadan land.37
6.5 Evolution and contextualisation of liturgy of Cherubim and