Popular Nigerian clergyman, Bishop David Abioye, retired from the Living Faith Church (LFC) on Friday October 18, declaring that the lessons he learnt during his four decades in the church and relationship with its founder, Bishop David Oyedepo, has provided for him the security of destiny.
Abioye said this while delivering his speech at the valedictory service held in his honour at Goshen City, the national headquarters of the church, Abuja-Keffi expressway, which he pastored until his retirement.
The service was attended by Bishop Oyedepo and his wife, Faith, Senior Pastor of Dunamis Church International Gospel Centre, Paul Enenche, several spiritual sons of Oyedepo and church leaders across the country.
Abioye’s mother and wife, Mary, were also in attendance.
Bishops Abioye and Thomas Aremu, both vice presidents of LFC, also known as Winners Chapel, were retired last week after decades of membership.
The megachurch, founded by Bishop Oyedepo in 1983, retired the two top clergymen in line with its operational guideline, The Mandate, which stipulates the age of retirement for its pastors at 60 years.
Section 10.12.5.12 of the document says, “Retirement from service for pastoral and non-pastoral shall be at the age of 60 years or 35 years of service (whichever is earlier) for all tenured staff of the Church.”
Abioye is 63 while Aremu is 67.
The newspaper learnt that the retirement age was later adjusted to 55.
The Mandate says only the president and founder, David Oyedepo, will serve for life.
Securing destiny
Abioye said he knew and developed a relationship with Oyedepo since 1979 when he was only 19 years, and that what he and his wife learnt from the over 44 years of closeness to him (Oyedepo) and membership of the LFC has provided for him the security of the future.
“For me and my wife, the lessons learnt so far in the Living Faith Church have provided us security of destiny. I stand here with a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation to the Lord for the grace he has rested on me which puts continuity in the path of exploit,” he said.
While noting that there is no self-made man, and that God uses men to transform people’s lives, Abioye stressed that God used Oyedepo to impact his life.
He said, “It is a great privilege given to me by my spiritual father, Bishop David Oyedepo. For me, ministry has always been about fulfilling God’s purpose. My life and that of my wife, has been deeply shaped by the guidance, inspiration, and covering provided by God’s servant.
“My wife and I have been well fed with the word of God by Bishop Oyedepo. He has been used by God to guide us on the path of destiny.
“As trailblazer, he has inspired us in the pursuit of the divine plan and as a prophet he has provided us adequate covering in the journey of life. Meeting with God’s servant became like entering into a school and life-transforming lessons have been learnt.
“Such is the story of my adventure with Bishop Oyedepo. Greatness is not a thing to wish for. But a journey to make by following, which by God’s help I have engaged myself since my first encounter with him in January 1980. Then I was about to be 19 years old.”
Emphasising that his meeting with his meeting with the revered bishop was orchestrated by the Holy Spirit to fulfil divine purpose, Abioye said “Today, people look at me with admiration as a full-fledge duplicate of grace that is upon the life of my prophet, pastor, teacher, and mentor, Bishop David Oyedepo.”
He made reference to his forward in a book recently on Oyedepo, saying, “What you earn is in your pocket, but what you learn goes into your future.”
Abioye also spoke about his venture into ministry, saying it was not a subject of being desirous or having an ambition but simply fulfilling purpose.
He said coming from a humble background under his parent, he simply found himself growing up to love God and the things of the kingdom.
Oyedepo speaks
On his part, Oyedepo praised Abioye, his retiring spiritual son, noting that throughout his over four decades with the church he never struggled for anything.
“The celebrant of today has never struggled for anything, yet good things kept happening. You didn’t come my way by accident, God sent you my way, and He sent me to you,” he said.
Presiding Bishop
Living Faith Church
In his sermon, titled “Understanding the Potency of Blessings,” Oyedepo said no skill or expertise can match the value of divine blessings, adding that the success of LFC is rooted in the validity of the Liberation Mandate he received in 1981.
He described the mandate as a divine plan, not man-made.
Tributes
Oyedepo’s wife, Faith, in her remarks, recounted the events before the ministry started.
“It has been a long journey. I have known Bishop Abioye since before the ministry started, and you have been there from inception, from the days of small beginnings.
“When in the Powerhouse, we used to have camp meetings in secondary schools and eat with borrowed plastic plates and spoons, and here we are today, over 40 years later, waxing stronger in the Lord. The journey has been long, and God has been faithful,” she said.
In his tribute, Pastor Enenche, Oyedepo’s spiritual son, commended Abioye for his selfless service and dedication.
“Making a difference is far more important than just making a living. Bishop Abioye’s life is a testament to that truth. He has tirelessly not for recognition, but to leave a lasting impact.”
Also speaking, Archbishop John Praise Daniel of Dominion International Churches, described Abioye as a man of exceptional humility.
“You cannot surpass his humility. In all my years, I have never seen anyone serve in the capacity that Bishop Abioye has, with grace and humility,” he said.
Abioye met Bishop Oyedepo in 1979 two years after God delivered the commission (the Liberation Mandate to him (Oyedepo) in May 1981 and before it was officially commissioned in September 1983.
He was one of the pioneering pastors of the ministry. He pastored one of the first five branches established in 1987.
He was consecrated bishop at the age of 32 in 1993 at the Garden of Faith, Barnawa, Kaduna, where LFC headquarters was located.
Abioye is married to Mary Abioye and they have three children.
The national headquarters where he pastors has about 30,000 members.