By Ayomide Otitoju
Samuel Bilehou Joseph Oshoffa, founder of the Celestial Church of Christ, has called for the unification of the church worldwide, according to a message delivered by his son, Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa.
Speaking in a statement addressed to members of the church globally, Reverend Pastor Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa said he received several spiritual revelations from his father urging that the Celestial Church of Christ must henceforth operate as one united body, without divisions or factions.
The message, directed to members across the Ketu mainstream, Nigeria Diocese and other groups, emphasized that internal divisions within the church must cease, describing such separations as inconsistent with the spiritual foundation and structure of the church.
According to him, both the 1980 Constitution and the 2000 amended constitution of the church recognize only one unified body of Christ.
He outlined the officially recognised headquarters of the church as the Supreme Headquarters in Porto Novo, Republic of Benin; the National Headquarters and Archdiocese in Makoko, Yaba, Lagos; the International Headquarters in Ketu, Lagos; and the World Headquarters in Imeko, Ogun State, alongside regional, area and district headquarters.
Oshoffa also called on all shepherds who have not registered their parishes with the recognised church authorities to do so within six months. He added that parishes already registered are required to undergo a fresh registration process.
According to him, certificates of registration will be issued to parishes upon completion of the process, noting that the exercise will be conducted free of charge. A timetable detailing registration schedules for regions and states in Nigeria, as well as dioceses in the diaspora, will be released in due course.
He further reaffirmed that Imeko in Ogun State remains the designated annual convocation ground for the church’s Christmas celebrations and other major spiritual gatherings. Imeko also serves as the final resting place of the church’s founder.
Oshoffa warned that organising alternative gatherings for the December convocation in other locations within Nigeria would be contrary to the established spiritual directives of the church.
He also cautioned members against receiving spiritual anointing from individuals not divinely authorised, describing such practices as spiritually harmful and urging members to exercise caution.
The cleric concluded by appealing to all members and church leaders to prioritise unity and spiritual discipline, stressing that leadership positions within the church should not compromise their spiritual calling or eternal purpose.
He expressed hope that members across all factions would embrace reconciliation and return to a unified structure within the next six months, in the interest of peace, unity and spiritual growth of the Celestial Church of Christ worldwide.
