VINEYARD CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES INCORPORATED
Vineyard Christian Ministries was established by inspiration and leadership of God with the vision to raise people of destiny, faith and prosperity on 3rd April, 1988. Vineyard Christian Ministries is headquartered at 34/36 Osolo Way, off Int’l Airport Road, Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos – a 7,500-seater cathedral. Archbishop John Adebayo Alagbala Osa-Oni is the founder of Vineyard Christian Ministries.
Archbishop John Adebayo Alagbala Osa-Oni was born on 13th July 1956 in Usen, Edo State and got saved on 13 February 1972. The call of God upon his life was confirmed by Pa S.G. Elton in 1985 after he returned from abroad to Nigeria on God’s instruction. That same year, Pa Elton also connected him to Archbishop Benson Idahosa (of blessed memory). After his encounter with Pa Elton in Ilesha, he came to Lagos. On 1st January, 1986 he quit his secular job and went into full-time ministry under Rev. Dr. Tunde Joda of Christ Chapel International Church (CCIC) as one of his Associate Pastors. He got married to Rev (Mrs.) Enitan Olusola Osa-Oni, a Chartered Accountant and Educationist in 1986 while serving as Associate Pastor.
In February 1987, John Osa-Oni heard the voice of the Lord to leave Dr. Joda and Christ Chapel International Church (CCIC). He obeyed and quit working with CCIC on 2nd February 1987. April 1988, a year and about two months after he quit working with Dr Joda, Vineyard Christian Ministries was born. God ministered to him while on 40 days prayer and fasting, “I want you to start Vineyard” and gave him Scriptures from Matthew 20:1-16, Matthew 21 and Isaiah 58 and the name came up – “Vineyard.” The Church was called Vineyard Christian Center – Vineyard Christian Ministries Incorporated also known as The Glorious Church. Archbishop Osa-Oni is commissioned with the mandate to get people out of poverty and bring them to the standard of Christian virtue. The Church started in an uncompleted building at No. 16, Owo Street, off Layi Oyekanmi Street, Mushin. Five years after the birth of Vineyard Christian Ministries, Archbishop Idahosa along with Bishop Iloputaife (both of blessed memory) and Bishop David Oyedepo consecrated Reverend John as Bishop.
Vineyard Christian Ministries over the years has grown to it’s present cathedral located at Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Lagos. The land for the cathedral was secured with the help of the then Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) received. The 7,500-seater Cathedral was dedicated on Saturday, 22nd August 2015 by Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM). He was joined by Archbishop Joseph Alexander, Dr. Tunde Joda of Christ Chapel International Churches; Dr. Mercy Ezekiel of Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM); Pastor Paul Adefarasin of the House on the Rock among other renown clerics.
Vineyard Christian Ministries has spread across some states in Nigeria with over 11 branches and some affiliate ministries both in America and England.
Archbishop Osa-Oni hopes to hand over the reigns of Leadership of the Church to a successor in the next few years and definitely before he clocks 75 in 2031.
Sources: interviews with Archbishop Osa-Oni
Vineyard Christian Ministries Churches’ Facebook pages
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