Elijah Oludele Abina is a Teacher, Pastor, Author, Father, Mentor, General Overseer of Gospel Faith Missions International (GOFAMINT) and one of the founding fathers of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). He was born on the 16th of June, 1935 in Aradagun, Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria. He was born to Pa Abraham Akowanu Abina and Madam Omoloto Abina. As at the time he was born, his parents were not Christian and gave him the middle name “Ogundele” which he later changed to Oludele, renouncing his ties to idol worship. He had his Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education in Lagos State.
After his Tertiary Education, he worked at Arbico Limited, Apapa, Lagos. He later resigned after a conviction from God to go into full-time Ministry. Known as someone who is very dedicated and committed to God’s word, he served at GOFAMINT. He was a founding member of the church alongside Pastor Reuben George (the former General Overseer) and wife, Dupe George, David Akinremi, Meshack Akinola, Iwaku Bagere, Daniel Aluko, Olusegun George, Elkanah Obideyi, Solomon Kudoro, Richard Akapo, Dorcas Adeyemi, Mary Kudoro, Felicia Akinremi (who later became his wife), Janet Oke, Dupe Akapo. This fellowship later grew to become the movement that it is today.
Pastor Abina became a full-time minister with the Gospel Faith Mission International in October 1962. He was first, the pastor-in-charge of the GOFAMINT Iwaya Church in 1963, then pastor-in-charge of the GOFAMINT Mushin church in 1966 and was later, promoted to become the District Overseer. Pastor Reuben George, the then General Overseer later appointed him as his deputy, a position he faithfully served until Pastor George passed on to glory in 1987.
After Pastor George passed on, Pastor Abina who was the Deputy Overseer at the time assumed the leadership of the church after a unanimous agreement by the members of the Church’s Executive Council. He was installed on the 8th of January, 1988 at the GOFAMINT International Gospel Centre, Ojoo, Ibadan Oyo State.
Under the leadership of Pastor Abina, the Gospel Faith Mission International has witnessed tremendous growth spiritually, exponentially and numerically. Today, the Mission has expanded from having 50 assemblies to over 2000 assemblies in Nigeria and in many parts of the world. The Church have assemblies throughout Nigeria, most African countries and in four continents of the world including Australia, Europe, South America and North America.
Pastor Abina is also an Author of books, especially the popular “A Lesson in Humility” where he captured his story.
Pastor Abina got married to Felicia Abina (nee Akinremi) on the 30th of March, 1961. Together, they have six children. Matron Felicia Abina passed on in June, 2014.
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