Part 2 – Structure and Succession in Nigerian Pentecostalism
Precious Agbai and Daniel Breakforth
Under the leadership of Pastor R.A. George, Gospel Faith Mission established a branch in Ibadan and after the establishment of the Ibadan branch, the merger experienced a crisis and it was abolished in 1963. The Mushin Church reverted to its former name – “Gospel Mission”, while the Iwaya Church retained the new name – “Gospel Faith Mission.” Pastor R.A. George remained in the newly established branch at Ibadan. At this time, the Church already had 3 branches in Iwaya, Bariga and Ibadan, with 3 full-time pastors. The Church leadership later realized that there was no longer a need to seek affiliation with other Churches as she could now trust in God’s strength for survival.
On 9 October 1967, the Gospel Faith Mission became an incorporated body under Pastor George’s leadership. In 1965 the Church was established at Fiditi, along Oyo Road and at Okitipupa, George’s hometown in February 1967 with branches established at Ile-Ife in 1967; at Ikot-Ekpene, Kano and Abeokuta in 1972; at Benin City in 1973; at Akure in 1974; at Sapele in 1978; at Effurun in 1979; at Warri in 1980; at Ikpoba in 1983 and at Afashio, Ekiti in 1985. Under Pastor George’s leadership, the Church spread to Ghana, Benin Republic, Ivory Coast and Liberia. In 1983, Gospel Faith Mission International spread to Europe and by 1984, it had spread to the United States of America (U.S.A) with different branches across America.
GOFAMINT’s first branch in the U.S.A was established in 1985. Pastor George acquired a vast area of land for Church use in the Ojoo area of Ibadan and another parcel of land in the Igbo Oloyin area of Ojoo, as convention grounds for the Mission. Church Gist. The Mission’s headquarters were eventually located at the Ojoo Site. He also led the Mission to establish secular schools and theological training schools. A publication department was also established for publishing Christian materials and God’s Word for the growth of the Church and the Body of Christ in general.
On 9th November 1987, he passed on to glory at the age of 61 and an interdenominational funeral service was held in his honour at the Interdenominational Gospel Center of the Gospel Faith Mission in Ojoo, Oyo Road Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria on 19th December 1987. Church Gist. After Pastor R.A. George’s transition, his deputy at that time, Pastor (Dr) E.O. Abina took over the mantle of leadership as the General Overseer of the Church and assumed office on 8th January 1988.
In 2007, through an initiative of Pastor (Dr) E.O. Abina to take the Gospel through GOFAMINT to all the Continents of the World; this led to the birth of the Church in the Philippines, Mexico and Australia. The Church has a theological Seminary and has extended to the Irish Republic with 3 branches in Dublin. Church Gist. Church Gist. The Mission’s Theological Seminary, Reuben George Theological Seminary (formerly Gospel Bible College) has campuses in Ondo State and Gospel Town, Ibadan, Nigeria. The service departments of the Church include: Christian Education, Women’s Ministry, Men Fellowship, Music Ministry, Missions, The Power House, Youth Fellowship, Gospel Students Fellowship, Operation Identification among others. GOFAMINT has a Comprehensive High School, a secular post-primary school and a number of Heritage Nursery and Primary schools spread across some Districts of the Mission. There are also Schools of Evangelism and Missions.
GOFAMINT in the U.S.A has grown into twenty-six (26) branches. GOFAMINT North America with its headquarters at Hope House acquired a 2 million dollar landed property to serve as the GOFAMINT North America Gospel City. The Church’s International Office is situated at Gospel City, Kilometer 40, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, Aseese, Ogun State Nigeria. The National Office remains at the International Gospel Centre, Ojoo, Oyo Road, Ibadan, Oyo State. Church Gist. The annual convention of the Church has been held at the Mission’s campground, Gospel Town, Igbo Oloyin Road, Ojoo Ibadan, Nigeria since 1990. As a result of numerical growth, the Church acquired the Gospel City of over 800 acres of land located at Ogunmakin, Ogun State Nigeria used for her annual conventions since 2017.
SOURCES:
GOFAMINT Constitution
Dictionary of Africa Christian Biography
Gospel Faith Mission International Websites (Australia and North America)
Church Gist Archive
Gospel Faith Mission International Facebook Page
Interview with Pastor Taiwo Holo
#ChurchOfTheWeek
#GospelFaithMissionInternational
#GOFAMINT
#ChurchGist
