The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), on Saturday, backed the installation of the lead pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, Jimmy Odukoya, as the successor of his late father, Taiwo Odukoya, who founded the church.
It would be recalled that Jimmy, a Nollywood and Hollywood actor, was announced as the senior pastor of the church by the ministry’s board of trustees in line with his late father’s directive.
As announced by the Board of Trustees (BoT), Jimmy’s installation was slated for today, September 30 and is currently ongoing as of the time of this report.
Speaking at the official installation service, the PFN President, Bishop Wale Oke, told the congregation that he appreciates God, who did not remove the mantle (priesthood) from the Odukoya family.
“No man orchestrated this,” Wale Oke said, adding that Pastor Taiwo, who served as a member of the National Advisory Council of the PFN, spent all his life honouring God.
Oke, during the service, said that though Jimmy is an actor, he can be God’s instrument and channel of blessing.
Citing popular American preacher, the cleric explained that Pastor John Osteen was succeeded by Joel Osteen, one of his sons who initially had no interest in preaching.
He added that while Joel’s father’s crusade never filled a stadium in his lifetime, however, his son now holds services in a stadium-like auditorium.
The cleric told the congregation to respect the decision of the board and watch out for what God will do through Jimmy, as was seen with Joel Osteen.
“If Pastor Jimmy was not the right person, God is too organized to make such an accident.
“Can the anointing flow through an actor? watch out!” Oke maintained during his sermon.
The cleric thanked the presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo, for playing the role of a father figure and mentor to the church.
“The owner of the church(Jesus) is alive forever,” Oke said, adding that God used the late Pastor Taiwo to get the church started.
He said further, “I don’t flatter, I have preached the gospel in 98 nations; this is a great church, and FOLC will never diminish. It was after Jesus left that the church ballooned, and the gates of hell have not been able to prevail against it.”
When he was done with the sermon, Bishop Okonkwo walked up the stage alongside Jimmy and his sister and started the installation process by reading several Bible verses.
Okonkwo and other men of God then surrounded the duo and pronounced the blessing on them.
