The Annual gathering of the White Garment Churches tagged “Celebrate the Comforter” held at the prestigious United Palace in New York on Saturday July 28, 2018.  The convention brought members of the Celestial Church of Christ and the Cherubim & Seraphim Churches Worldwide together. The theme for this year’s convention was “Celebrating Unity in Holy Spirit”. The first edition was held at Excel Center in London on July 29, 2017.

Dignitaries and delegates from all over the world attended the convention. Some of the dignitaries who attended the convention include H.E. (Dr.) Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, Nigeria. Notable men of God like Pastor Emmanuel Oshoffa, Pastor & Supreme Head of Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide, His Eminence Prophet Dr. Adegboyega Alao Olori, Head of Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church, Prophet S. K Abiara, retired General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Elder Isaac Oke-Bello, Prophet Oladele Ogundipe of CCC Genesis Parish,  Bishop George Bloomer, the popular American evangelist and founder of Bethel Family Worship Center, a multi-cultural ministry in Durham, North Carolina (USA). Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi & Rev. (Dr.) Ademuyiwa Ajayi, the vessels God used to put the convention together and many more were also in attendance.

Notable Nollywood stars and gospel artists like Mrs. Idowu Phillips (Iya Rainbow), Prince Jide Kosoko, Evang. Ebenezer Obey, Sir Shina Peters, Dr. Lanre Teriba (Atorise), Chief Gbenga Adewusi of Bayowa Films, Chief Dele Taiwo, Evangelist Bisi Alawiye-Aluko, Osinachi Joseph of Believers’ Loveworld popularly called ‘Sinach’, Comforter Mass Choir, Tina Weisinger and Amber Washington of HAPA Afro-Hollywood from Los Angeles, California (USA) just to mention a few, joined close to five thousand delegates from

United States and other parts of the world at the convention.

Others who attended the convention include, Chief Dele Momodu of Ovation Magazine, Mr. Paul Odedeyi, CEO of Gbedu Magazine, Dr. Dayo Olomu, London based PR & Human Development expert, Seyi Clement, founder of African Law Digest Award & Publisher of Law Digest, Comrade Moses Olafare, Director of Media and Public Affairs at Ooni’s Palace and Ambassador Temitope Omotayo JP, Co-Founder of Wazobia Global Network, Publishers of Wazobia Global Times Newspaper & WGT Magazine in USA.

Celebrate the Comforter opened with a powerful welcoming address that was offered by Sister Folakemi Aiyedun and Brother Niyi Ogunsanwo. They welcomed all guests and dignitaries to the “2018 Celebrate the Comforter” in the United States of America. They spoke about the great mission to change the face of Cherubim & Seraphim and Celestial Church of Christ churches, and to showcase the well-educated, talented, and passionate believers that worship God in sprit and in truth. They closed their speech by declaring their pride in attending the Cherubim & Seraphim and Celestial Church of Christ churches.The opening prayer was given by Pastor E. M. Oshoffa – The Spiritual Head of CCC Worldwide. While Prophet S.K Abiara, the retired General Evangelist of the Apostolic Church of Christ prayed for unity among Christians. Prophet Abiara also prayed for Rev. Mother Esther & Rev. Dr. Ademuyiwa Ajayi.

Iya Adura, Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi in her opening remarks welcomed all dignitaries and guests to the convention, reiterating the motive behind “Celebrate the Comforter”. According to her, the convention is to serve as a unification platform for white Garment Churches with a view to bringing them together as one big family in the service of God and Humanity through Jesus Christ. She charged all Christian leaders to embrace unity and growth which will go a long way in the quest towards retaining members especially the youth through quality word of God, revivals, evangelism and deliverance.

The chairman of the Central Working Committee of “Celebrate the Comforter 2018”, Dr. Richard Fasunloye in his own remarks said that the “Celebrate the Comforter” has become a global Christian event jointly organized by the Cherubim & Seraphim Church and the Celestial Church of Christ. The goal is to preach and proclaim the name of Jesus Christ and to pray for peace in all nations of the world. He appreciated the sponsors of the convention, Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi and Rev. Dr. Ademuyiwa Ajayi for their commitments to the convention which has inspired and motivated the two churches to come together for the yearly event. He also thanked all dignitaries for their continuous support.

Former President of Nigeria, H.E. (Dr.) Olusegun Obasanjo in his own remarks charged all members of white garment churches to emulate the good gesture of Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi by making themselves a blessing to mankind. He added that it is the responsibility of every Christian to be of blessing to others. The highlight of the convention was the appointment of H.E Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo as the Generalissimo of White Garment Churches.

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who was the Royal father of the day, charged all Christians to extend hands of generosity to the poor in addition to loving one another just the way they love themselves. According to him, Rev. Mother Ajayi is an epitome of love, peace and generosity, attributes that Christians are expected to exhibit.  He added that he felt the presence of God in the atmosphere so he described “Celebrate the Comforter” as God’s project. He concluded that the convention is all about love and God, because God is love, HE is the Comforter.  The foremost traditional ruler led a delegation of notable Yoruba traditional rulers to the convention.

Dr. Afolabi Aiyedun, the USA coordinator gave Glory to God for making “Celebrate the Comforter 2018” in USA a huge success. He also thanked Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi & Rev. Dr. Ademuyiwa Ajayi for their contributions towards the success of the convention. Dr. Aiyedun continued by appreciating the efforts of the planning committee members, the choristers, and the dignitaries for their contribution.

Closing prayer was made by His Eminence Prophet Dr. Solomon Adegboyega Alao, the Baba Aladura & Spiritual Head of C & S Unification Church. Thanksgiving service at Celestial Church of Christ New York Parish Headquarters, Brooklyn on Sunday July 29,2018.

Many delegates expressed their gratitude to Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi and Rev. (Dr.) Ademuyiwa Ajayi for their financial support and commitment towards the success of the convention. Celebrate the Comforter 2019 will hold at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, Nigeria and over twenty thousand delegates from all over the world are expected to attend.

“Celebrate the Comforter 2018” Planning Committee

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