Retired bishop of the Living Faith Church (LFC), Thomas Aremu, has said he has no plan to open his own church, adding that he will remain a member of the LFC in retirement.
Aremu said this during the valedictory service held in honour on Tuesday October 15.
The service was held at the LFC branch, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, South West Nigeria.
The Christian reported that two of the church’s bishops would be retiring this month.
Apart from Aremu, Bishop David Abioye will also bow out after over three decades in the church. They were retired in line with the LFC operation guideline “The Mandate” which stipulates the retiring age of pastors of the church at 60 years.
Before his retirement, Aremu was the vice president of the LFC in charge of Mission Inspectorate.
He said God gave the founder of the church also known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, to him as his pastor.
“God’s presence is my greatest asset. I have seen God in practical terms. He gave me a pastor after his own heart in the person of the apostle over this commission (David Oyedepo). He is my pastor.
“I don’t have a church, and I cannot have a church. This is my church. Even after retirement, I remain in the Winners family.
“I may be privileged to bless other churches other than Winners, but there is nothing I am going to teach them also than what I have learnt in Winners. God planted me in this commission, and I am convinced this is where I belong,” the 67-year-old cleric said.
Don’t carry retirement mentality – Bishop Oyedepo
Speaking at the occasion, David Oyedepo, the presiding bishop of the LFC, advised Aremu, not to go about with a retirement mentality.
Oyedepo, who prayed for the retired bishop and his wife, asked the duo to keep doing the work God has called them to do, stressing, “Put on strength, put on your beautiful garment, get ready.”
“Somebody asked me, ” Now you are 70, what are you still looking for? ” I said I am in the centre of the race and I will run till I draw my last breath,” the renowned clergyman, who turned 70 years on September 27, said, referring to his own example.
While facing Aremu, Oyedepo said, “Put on strength. Put on your beautiful garment. God has greater things for you in the name of Jesus.”
He reminded the retired bishop that when God speaks every obstacle gives way, adding “It’s your turn. If you won’t stop hearing from God no devil can keep you on the same spot.”
Oyedepo further advised, “Stay connected, consciously so, spiritually so, genuinely so. Don’t bug your head answering questions that are unfounded. No one can quote silence.
“Beware of strangers that may come your way and lay them aside. I have done that all my life and it is working.
“Even those who have gone to heaven, my connectivity remains intact and the grace is flowing unabated. Stay connected. Stay connected. There is no self-made man in the world. So, stay connected so as to secure the flow of grace in the name of Jesus.”
Aremu, an accountant by profession, was one of the eight foundational members of the church in 1983 and became a pastor a year later. He was the pioneer pastor of the LFC Ibadan. He was ordained a bishop in 1999.