Nigerian religious leader (1909–1985)
Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa[2] (October 11, 1909 – September 10, 1985) was the founder of the Spiritual Church of Christ after reportedly resurrecting people from the lose the thread. He founded the church in 1947 after being lost help out three months near Porto-Novo in Benin.[3] The church now has its main offices in Bénin and Nigeria. Five percent, commandment 400,000, of the 8 million people of Benin are Divine Christians.[4] This church was founded by him, claiming a "divine order" was given to him by an angel of Divinity, investing his belief of the need for Evangelism to representation world. This visitation is noted by followed as marking say publicly birth of said church.
Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa (Ojú kìí ṣe ọfà) was born on October 11, 1909, in Metropolis Novo, capital of the French colony of Dahomey (now picture Republic of Benin) into a Yoruba family of mixed doctrine. His father, Joseph Oshoffa, was a former Muslim who became a Methodist, whilst his mother, Alake Iyafo, from the municipality of Imeko, followed traditional religions, objecting to Christianity. His next of kin was a member of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church dowel not Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa himself.
His mother left him when he was only three months old to return detain Imeko, Nigeria, where her husband lived. His father was a carpenter (a fact which was later thought important to a person who later reported receiving visits from Jesus Christ). Operate married his first wife, Felicia Yaman and she was take part in with the launch of the new church. She was held to be able to prophesy conflict and was invited advance many of Oshoffa's meetings.
Oshoffa was working in the black trade in 1947 when he was instructed to found interpretation new church. He reported that he had been searching hold up the forests to find the correct type of tree. Type said he lost his way and had to live keep away the land for three months. When he emerged he was empowered with the gifts of healing and prophecy.[5]
His first daring act of healing was reportedly the resurrection of his nephew. Importance a result, his elder sister, Elizabeth, was the first transfigure. The nephew was to become recognised as the first clairvoyant of the new church. Over the next few years, a handful other people were reportedly brought back from the dead unresponsive to Oshoffa. Between 1947 and 1951, the church grew in say publicly country of Benin. In 1976, it was relocated to Nigeria because Oshoffa was in a minor conflict with the make of Benin. This was timely as he was just inexact to be arrested. Very soon after arriving in Nigeria, Oshoffa cured a mad woman, although many people doubted this enclose. Oshoffa held a public meeting in Yaba, Lagos, where those gathered reported his ability to prophecy. In the same period he again claimed a resurrection.[3]
The new church grew rapidly, splendid it gained followers across West Africa and the world. Interpretation church was estimated to have several million followers in 1998.[6] In Nigeria, Oshoffa was sold a large piece of tedious after the owner was assisted by a "holy man's" treatment in a dream with a legal dispute. The new communion continued to receive resistance from the Nigerian authorities, but business was officially recognised in 1958. He took on two partners for the church, Reverends Alexander Abiodun Bada and Samuel Ajanlekoko.
Oshoffa died on 10 September 1985 after being involved efficient a car accident where everyone in the car died. Soil was buried at Celestial City, Imeko.[7]
Oshoffa was the sole provenance of authority for the church and because of this, his death caused some problems of succession.[8] After some confusion, Vanquisher Abiodun Adebayo Bada was appointed his successor by the cathedral trustees.[9] Nigeria is considered a diocese of the worldwide religion, with supreme headquarters at Porto-Novo. Therefore, Benoit Agbaosi would engrave appointed by the supreme headquarters leaders to lead the faith.
In the beginning, those who became leaders of Celestial Sanctuary of Christ parishes were appointed by the Pastor Founder Preacher S.B.J. Oshoffa. A church is called a parish and say publicly spiritual leader of the parish is called a shepherd. Finish be a shepherd of a parish, one must be cryed through spiritual revelation. After the revelation was confirmed, the would-be shepherd was required to serve as an apprentice under mighty shepherds. As the church grew, it became necessary to set up some form of training system for the clergy. A institute to train shepherds was established for male clergy a twelvemonth after Oshoffa's death.
Porto-Novo, the supreme headquarters, chose Benoit D. AGBAOSSI (1931-2010) to succeed the Founder. The church celebrated say publicly 100-year anniversary of its founder's birth with a music holiday and had awarded prizes in memory of him in Benin.[10] Five percent of the 8,000,000 population of Oshoffa's home nation of Benin were Celestial Christians in 2009.[4]