Lagos stood still as Trinity House comes on board

By Sam Eyoboka

DATELINE, Sunday, July  18, 2010: THE inaugural service of Trinity House, the new baby of Pastor Ituah Ighodalo (remember him?) was billed for 3.00 p.m. and the venue was the Civic Centre along Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos but by 2.30 p.m. that Sunday afternoon all the available parking lot had been taken.

Commuters on that stretch of road found it difficult  meandering through a sea of sleek cars parked along the road by relations, friends and well wishers of the pastor who virtually brought the ChristChurch parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God from a dunghill to a sophiticated worship place that is the envy of many Pentecostal pastors.

The Civic Centre, unarguably witnessed the largest crowd since it was  opened in 2007 as eminent men and women struggled to be part of the inaugural service and celebrate with the amiable servant of God as he held the inaugural service of his church at that prime event centre. Christians from various denominations were also well represented at the occasion. Top politicians and people in and out of government and society’s big wigs were also present. Ituah and his co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord were at their very best. They welcomed their guests with affectionate smiles.

Deacon Tosin Alao led a team of choristers in praise worship before Rev. Tosin Ajayi led the congregation in the opening prayers. He prayed “that the Lord will let His church flourish with the flock of His people, infuse the pastor with the wisdom of Solomon, the courage of Daniel and the leadership of Moses.” Rev. Ajayi also blessed the congregation.

PFN National Secretary-General, Pastor Wale Adefarasin led the congrega-tional prayers after the rendition of some special songs by Blessing Momoh and the choir. He thanked the Lord for Trinity House and prayed for its success. He asked the Lord to “let many come and not only receive but to be a blessing in Your name.” Mrs. Ibidun Ighodalo read the second Bible lesson which was taken from Mark 9:14-23.

Venerable Gbenga Fagbemi took the first offering during which BG Sax led the congregation in praise with his saxophone, very much like the style of Pastor Kunle Ajayi while Emmanuel Mike and Blessing Momoh added colour to the event with a duet from Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams’ The Prayer which was very beautifully rendered.

While delivering the word of exhortation, Ighodalo expressed his heart of gratitude to “the Almighty God above all, Mr. Jim Ovia who gave the Civic Centre free of charge and all the ministers of God who gave us encouragement in the dark times.”

He then read out a long list of names but apologized that he might not be able to mention some names. Some of the names mentioned include Pastors Ghandi Olaoye, Idowu Iluyomade, Paul Adefarasin, Bishop Olaleye, Ven. Fagbemi, Konyin Ajayi, Tony Rapu, Tunde Bakare, Tola Odutola, Tunde Bhadmus, Matel Okoh, Tayo Badejoko, Segun Omotosho, George Adegbo-ye, Sam Adeyemi and Agu Irukwu. Others were Femi Obaweya, Sola Balogun, Akin Ayeni, Deola Mensah, Chris Okotie, Wale Adefarasin, Dotun Ojelabi, Remi Morgan, Leke Alder, Tete Lawson, Niyi Akenzua, Robert Omole, Bayo Rotimi, Gbenga Ademu-legun and ‘Pastor E. A. Ade-boye, my General Overseer.’

Ighodalo, a chartered accountant, also acknowle-dged his professional part-ners at SIAO who tolerated his disappearances in the course of mixing professional practice with spiritual calling.

Still in the attitude of thanksgiving, the pastor in charge of Trinity House sang and danced several times during his sermon. Three times he sang to the Lord for making him forget the sorrows of the past one year when his work in the ministry almost came to an end. He spoke about belief. He took his main text from Mark 9:14-23, sharing a few of the many things that belief does to the people of God.

“It makes you see a great future. It restores what was lost. It puts an end to fear. It brings about repentance and salvation,” the former RCCG pastor stated.  

After the sermon and the call for people to surrender unto their Creator, some men of God were called upon to lead the prayer of dedication. Pastor Tony Rapu prayed for unity in the Church. Pastor Taiwo Odukoya said the prayer of dedicating Trinity House. Ven. Fagbemi prayed for the ministers of Trinity House. Dignitaries who attended the inaugural service included Pa Jeremiah Ighodalo, Aseureme Ighoda-lo and his family, Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Kolade, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Mrs. Onari Duke, Prince Nduka Obai-gbena, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Sammie Okposo, Mofe and Dorothy Atake amongst others.