By Our Correspondent
AKURE — Gospel musician and clergyman, Very Rev’d David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi, popularly known as Aremolekun, has marked two decades in ministry, recounting how divine intervention sustained his calling through years of financial difficulties, setbacks and other daunting challenges.
Aremolekun spoke on Sunday at the 20th anniversary celebration of his ministry held at Motailatu Church of God, Oke-Idahun Parish, Akure, where church members, family, friends, ministers, gospel musicians and well-wishers gathered for a thanksgiving service.
The anniversary, which featured prayers, music, testimonies, prophetic declarations and goodwill messages, provided Aremolekun an opportunity to look back on what he described as a challenging but rewarding 20-year journey.
Speaking on the theme, “The Journey So Far: Down Memory Lane,” the cleric recalled the humble beginnings of the ministry and the difficulties that confronted the church, particularly during its formative years.
He said there were periods when financial constraints, setbacks and other challenges threatened the progress of the ministry, but insisted that none of the difficulties could overcome the work because of God’s intervention.
According to him, whenever the ministry appeared to face critical moments, God raised people and provided the necessary resources to keep the work moving.
Aremolekun used the occasion to appreciate individuals who had contributed to the growth and development of the church, including those who were no longer members of the congregation.
He acknowledged that every person who had passed through the ministry had contributed something significant to its 20-year history.
One of the major highlights of the anniversary was Aremolekun’s musical performance, as the clergyman joined the church choir to lead the congregation in songs of thanksgiving.
The performance reflected his longstanding involvement in gospel music. Aremolekun is the founder of Pillar of Bethel Angelic Voices (POBAV) and has remained active in gospel music for several decades.
He was accompanied by Evangelist Rufus Adegbola, popularly known as Aro & Sax, whose saxophone performance added colour to the musical presentation.
Delivering the prophetic sermon, Rt. Rev’d James Akinadewo drew inspiration from the book of Isaiah, declaring that the anniversary would usher in a new chapter of greater testimonies for the ministry and congregation.
Akinadewo, Minister in Charge of Motailatu Church of God, Oke-Ira Parish, Ogba, Lagos, urged Aremolekun and the congregation not to lose hope, saying God was capable of restoring what had been lost and giving His people a new name.
He admonished the congregation to remain steadfast in faith and trust God to complete the work He had started.
Akinadewo, who is also Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Motailatu Church of God Worldwide, said the prophetic declaration of a positive change of story was already coming to fulfilment.
The celebration also featured performances by members of the Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN), Ondo State Chapter, led by the Chairman of the Akure Zone, Pastor Raph Ajatta.
Guest artiste, Evangelist Mary J. Omotehinse, accompanied by her band, also thrilled the congregation with a special performance.
Other gospel musicians and GOMAN leaders at the event included veteran musician and GOMAN leader, Pastor Ebenezer Ologunowa; former GOMAN Governor, Pastor Tunde Ayodele; Vice Chairman of the Akure Zone, Evangelist Roseline Osewa; and Evangelist Isaac Jegede, popularly known as Omo Alara.
The anniversary attracted ministers and representatives from several churches and Christian organisations, including Oke Igbala-Olu Missionary Society Cathedral, Ondo, the church of Aremolekun’s grandfather, represented by Supt. Apostle Ebenezer Akinboboye.
Also represented was the Motailatu Church of God International Headquarters, Ondo, led by Snr. Apostle General Abayomi Daramola.
Motailatu Church of God, Mount Sinai Parish, Ibadan, was represented by Snr. Apostle Christian ‘Sesan Abolu, who also served as Leader of Service.
The C&S Movement Church, Throne of Mercy District, Akure, was represented by a delegation led by Pastor Benjamin Oladimeji.
Others included Prophetess Olowolade of His Mercy’s Church; Most Senior Apostle Eniola Fadayomi from Ijare; Prophet Lanre Adebayo, popularly known as Omo Adaniwaye; and representatives of New Ona Iwa Mimo Onimajemu, Agbala Iyanu No. 1, Alagbaka, and No. 2, Isinigbo, Akure.
Representatives of the anniversary chairmen and chairpersons also expressed appreciation to God for sustaining the ministry and its founder through two decades of challenges and growth.
The celebration ended with songs of thanksgiving, prayers and goodwill messages as the congregation reflected on the journey and celebrated what they described as God’s faithfulness.
For Aremolekun, the 20th anniversary represented more than the survival of a church. It was, he said, a testimony of perseverance, faith and divine intervention in the face of circumstances that could have brought the ministry to an end.
