“God gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11, 12).
God has blessed the Conference with persons with supernatural gifts, people to proclaim kingdom message effectively to unbelievers and to train other believers in evangelism, thus making it possible for all Christians to be a part of the implementation of the Great Commission. All believers with these skills have proved that the endowment of God upon their lives is a valuable instrument for kingdom expansion.
This chapter covers the Conference principal officers, beginning from the anchormen from February 2010 to September 2010, the leadership of Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Adebayo Awotunde (30th September, 2010 to 14th January, 2020), Rev. Dr. Julius Adedayo Omomola (15th January to 30th April, 2020) and Rev. Dr. Matthew Olawale Awujoola (1st May, 2020 to date). During these 10 years under review, the Lagos East Baptist Conference was led by some leaders: two anchormen, chairmen, presidents as well as others. However, the rationale of this report of the leadership of the Conference between September 2010 and 2020 will be discussed under three sessions: the anchormen- leaders, other officers, and the period under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Adebayo Awotunde, Rev Dr. Julius Adedayo Omomola and Rev Dr. Matthew Olawale Awujoola.
Anchormen: The election of Rev. Emmanuel Alfred Oguntunji Oguntokun and Dn. Adeniyi Adesola was of immense blessings to the Conference. Rev. Oguntokun, a theologian and a tested administrator, was sent from First Baptist Church, Broad Street, Lagos to start The Ajayi Dahunsi Memorial Baptist Church, Ilasamaja and thereafter became the Church Pastor. Besides, he was the Chairman of the Lagos State Baptist Conference at the time of the assignment. He was well respected and held in high esteem by the pastors and laymen. He served together with Dn. Adeniyi Adesola. Dn. Adesola is a chartered accountant, an administrator and an ordained deacon of First Baptist Church, Kosofe. He is well noted for his managerial skills, which he applied in discharging the assignment. Both oversaw the Nominating and Conference Secretary Search Committees and thereby midwifed the Conference from 12th February to 24th September, 2010.
Revd. Peter O. Olanisebe, the then Pastor of First Baptist Church, Ibafo in Ogun State and Gideon 1 Baptist Association representative was the Nominating Committee Chairman, while Bro. Moses Babatunde Ajao, a member of Christ Solid Rock Baptist Church, Eyita, Ikorodu, Association Secretary/representative of the Abundant Life Baptist Association served as the Secretary to the committee. Both led 16 other committee members to produce principal officers, committee chairmen and members of the Conference. The committee worked assiduously to elect right people into different positions.
Rev. Dr. Sola Aworinde, a New Testament scholar, and the then Pastor of Agape Community Baptist Church, Surulere and a representative of The Great Commission Baptist Association was the Chairman of the Conference Secretary Search Committee. Dn. James Oluremi Adegbanke, an ordained deacon of Mushin Baptist Church, Asabi, Mushin and Gideon1 Baptist Association representative served as the Secretary to the committee. He is an accountant and a successful entrepreneur. The duo led other 16 committee members to search for the Conference Secretary (now President). The committee worked diligently to discharge their duties, despite the devil’s efforts to undermine what they had laboured for. With God on their side, they were able to produce the Conference Secretary (now, President), Rev Emmanuel Adebayo Awotunde.
Rev. Emmanuel Adekunle Ayeni, the one-time Education Minister of the Lagos State Baptist Conference during the time of Rev. Isaiah Oluwafemi Bamimodu was elected as the Conference Chairman. He was the Pastor of First Baptist Church, Ojota and Gideon 1 Baptist Association Consultant by the time he was elected. He served as the pioneer Conference Chairman and served meritoriously from 30th September 2010 to 31st December, 2014.
Rev Israel Oluwale Jesuniyi, the Pastor of Okota Baptist Church, Okota and the Consultant of Itesiwaju Baptist Association was elected as the 1st Vice Chairman. He acted as the Conference Chairman from 1st January to 30th September, 2015 when Rev. Dr. Emmanuel A. Ayeni retired from pastoral ministry in December 2014.
Rev Dr. Julius Adedayo Omomola, a pastor, a teacher, a church planter and a church growth expert with special interest in church revitalisation, was elected to succeed Rev Israel Oluwale Jesuniyi as Conference Chairman on 1st October, 2015. He served as Acting Conference President from 15th January to 30th April, 2020 when Rev. Emmanuel A. Awotunde retired on 14th January, 2020.
Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Adebayo Awotunde led the Lagos East Baptist Conference from 30th September, 2010 to 14th January, 2020. He was born at Itasa in Iwajowa Local Government of Oyo State into the family of Pa Peter Mosobalaje Ajekigbe Awotunde and the late Madam Salome Idowu Awotunde on 14th January, 1955. He started his primary education at Baptist Day School, Iganna and gained admission into Baptist Secondary Modern School, Okeho (now Baptist High School) in 1971. He attended Baptist College, Iwo from 1975 to 1978. He also studied at the prestigious Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso (NBTSO) and ECWA Theological Seminary, Igbaja (ETSI) where he obtained degrees up to the Doctoral of Ministry.
Rev. Dr. Awotunde began his pastoral ministry as a student pastor at Boys’ Approved School, Iwo, Osun State from 1976 to 1978 and at Araromi/Ayetoro Baptist Churches, Oke-Awo, via Ogbomoso, Oyo State from 1981 to 1983. Besides, he served as a vacation pastor at First Baptist Church, Adabeji, Odo-Ona, Ibadan, Oyo State from June to August, 1981 and June to August, 1982.
After his seminary graduation, he served as the Pastor, Alafia Oluwa Baptist Church, Fiditi, Oyo State, from 1st June, 1983 to 31st July, 1988 during which he was ordained into the full gospel ministry on Saturday, 23rd November, 1985. He was led by the Holy Spirit to accept the call to be the under shepherd of First Baptist Church, Somolu from 1st August, 1988 to 2010. He served the church as the under shepherd for twenty-two and a half years without any conflict. He became the pioneer Conference President of the Lagos East Baptist Conference from October 1, 2010 to January 14, 2020.
He served the denomination in different capacities, such as the Assistant Moderator, Moderator of Bowen Association, Moderator and Consultant of the old Gideon and Gideon 2 Baptist Associations, 1st Vice Chairman and Chairman, Lagos State Baptist Conference. He was among the pioneer members of Board of Governors of the Baptist College of Theology, Lagos and he was a member of many committees of the Convention.
The name of God be praised for how He used Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Awotunde to contribute positively to the physical and spiritual growth of the Conference during his tenure.
He led the Conference to replace Conference-in-Session with Kingdom Life Assembly. Each year assembly was enriched with spirituality. The assembly focused more on digging deep into God’s Word, prayer session and revival hours. Churches involved more in church planting, which grew the number of churches from 166 in 2010 to 285 as at 14th January 2020. The number of associations within the period was also increased from nine to 14.
The Faith of Our Fathers Conference was inaugurated and Rev. Dr. Awotunde led the Conference to enter into partnership with El-Rehoboth Leadership Foundation to reposition Christian faith in 2015. The foundation had Rev Timothy O. Olonade as the team leader of M2414 Initiative in equipping the body of Christ to hasten the Great Commission. This is a programme for spiritual empowerment of church members who care to attend. The programme intends to evaluate the faith of the patriarch of faith and encourage believers to follow suit. It is mainly for spiritual renewal and reawakening. The maiden edition took place at Christ Baptist Church, Gbagada, while New Heritage Baptist Church, Somolu remains the venue to date. It is held in the last week of May and early June.
Infrastructure: Lagos State Baptist Conference Technical Committee asked us to pay Sixteen Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N16, 500, 000.00) to the Conference Secretariat at Obanikoro. In order to own the Conference Secretariat, Rev. Dr. Awotunde led the Conference to pay Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N5, 500, 000.00) to each of the two other conferences, Lagos Central and West, in order to take the possession of the Conference Secretariat. The Conference was responsible for the remaining balance of Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N5, 500, 000.00). Rev. Dr. Awotunde also led the Conference to acquire the property of the children of the late Gbadebo Ola situated at 1, Akinsanya Street, off Shipeolu Street, Somolu. The Conference purchased the two storey building at the cost of Twenty Million One Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N20, 100, 000.00). The building was renovated and it serves as the Conference President’s residence pending the time a befitting building will be built or purchased.
The old Afurugbin Baptist Association was motivated by Rev. Dr. Awotunde’s leadership to donate a parcel of land jointly owned by the leadership of Afurugbin, Abundant Life (Abundant Grace and Life) and Christ Love (The Christ Love and Amazing Grace), for mission project, to the Conference.
Mission Trip: Rev. Dr. Awotunde’s leadership encouraged the Conference to embark on an annual mission trip to Mali International Mission Field (2011-2015) and Burkina Faso Mission Field from 2016 to date. The Conference also visited Okigwe Home Mission Field in 2012. The purpose was to revitalise the work of Christ in these places . The visitation provided leadership support for those facing persecution as a result of their Christian faith and encouraged them to stand firm in the Lord, not minding the Boko Haram insurgency.
The Conference assisted Internally Displaced Christians who escaped to Lagos as a result of the insurgency between 2014 and 2016 with accommodation, clothing and feeding through Godiya Baptist Church, Kosofe. Through the church, believers with Muslim background were empowered in skills acquisition and discipleship by the Conference.
Mission training were held to equip members to witness to Muslims and believers with Muslim background. The training were organised at Four Square Camp, Idimu, Ire Akari Baptist Church, Isolo and First Baptist Church, Alapere.
Mission Projects: The leadership of the Conference, through the President, paved the way for the purchase of landed properties for Godiya Baptist Church, Kosofe and four plots of land for Glory Baptist Church, Ipoyewa at the rate of Sixteen Million Naira Only (N16, 000, 000.00) and One Million Six Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N1, 600, 000.00) respectively. Likewise, two plots of land were jointly purchased for Bethel Baptist Church, Mojoda, Epe, while the Conference erected a worship auditorium for Treasure Baptist Church, Olorunda.
Pastoral Assistance: The Conference has encouraged independent church planters with a monthly stipend of Thirty-Five Thousand Naira Only (N35, 000.00). Some churches and associations received funds from the Conference to complete their mission projects. The release of such funds to the churches and associations is based on merit. Besides, since the inception of the Conference, financial assistance has been given to people of Lagos East origin and others as scholarship assistance.
Pastors’/Deacons’ Retreat: The maiden edition of the retreat took place at Shepherdhill Baptist Church, Obanikoro on Saturday, 16th November, 2019. This is to build interpersonal relationship among the New Testament Church officers and to serve as a refreshing course for the pastors and deacons in the Conference. The new Conference President should sustain this retreat.
Kingdom Investment Scheme: It was put in place in 2015 to meet the financial needs of churches in the Conference. The scheme runs exactly like a cooperative society. The only difference is that membership is restricted to churches, associations and ministries that identify with our vison and the Conference. The scheme has started giving loans to its members and it is managed through a committee.
Mission Endowment Fund: The fund was launched in 2012. It is to raise Fifty Million Naira (N50m) to be invested and used yearly to execute mission work. The Conference has raised Seventeen Million Two Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty-Five Naira Only (N17, 247, 165.000.00) “through its promotion.
Lagos Baptist Conferences Schools: Rev. Dr. Awotunde contributed to the management of Baptist Model High Schools in Agbowa, Ijegun, Ikola and Isolo. He joined in the efforts to secure the release of Lagos Baptist Secondary School (LABASCO) to the Baptist family as promised by the Lagos State Government during the administration of ex-Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN. The re-purchase of five acres (30 plots) of landed property of the Youth Fellowship of the defunct Lagos State Baptist Conference and full possession of the land at Itohun and fence were executed.
Conference President Search Committee: Rev. Dr. Awotunde led the Conference to elect and inaugurate a14-man Conference President Search Committee, with Rev. Dr. T. Bode Babalola and Bro. Moses Babatunde Ajao as Chairman and Secretary respectively. Below is the membership of the committee:
Rev. Dr. T Bode Babalola, Chairman, The Great Ola Oluwa Baptist Association.
Bro. Moses Babatunde Ajao, Secretary, Abundant Life Baptist Association.
Dns. Olubunmi O. Oludemi, Member, Abundant Grace Baptist Association.
Rev. David Adebisi Ogunniyi, Member, Afurugbin Baptist Association.
Dn. Dr. Gabriel Akinbode, Member, Amazing Grace Baptist Association.
Bro. Seun Adewara, Member, Christ Kingdom Baptist Association.
Barr Paul Eyisan Okome, Member, Evangel Baptist Association.
Sis. Doyin Akanji, Member, Gideon 1 Baptist Association.
Rev. Mrs. Abigail O. Oluniyi, Member, Gideon 2 Baptist Association.
Rev. Mrs. J. Ayonike Gabriel, Member, Hebron Baptist Association.
Bro. David Mayowa Falade, Member, Hephzibah Baptist Association.
Rev. Olafimihan Oyelade, Member, Itesiwaju Baptist Association.
Dns. Oluwafunsho M. Adewuni, Member, Irepodun Baptist Association.
Sister Adeshola Adekoya, Member, The Christ Love Baptist Association.
The Conference President Search Committee, in compliance with the Conference Executive Committee’s resolution, was mandated to produce a candidate that was not more than 55 years old on resumption by 1st May, 2020. It shortlisted those to be invited for interview. Out of the 11 candidates , seven were interviewed for the post of the Conference President.
The committee reported to the Lagos East Baptist Conference Executive Committee meeting of 19th December, 2020 and approved the recommendation of the Conference President Search Committee that Rev. Dr. Matthew Olawale Awujoola, who scored 80.38%, being the highest mark, was considered and approved as the Conference President- Elect. The Executive Committee presented him to the Extra-Ordinary Kingdom Life Assembly at Yaba Baptist Church on Saturday, 11th January, 2020 where consideration, ratification and approval were given to the report.
Conference Staff: Rev. Dr. Awotunde worked with the four workers the defunct Lagos State Baptist Conference transferred to the Conference in 2010 and one was added to them. Hence, the Conference has five staff members namely:
Rev. Francis Kehinde Adebayo: He is the Outreach Minister of the Conference. He was transferred from Lagos State Baptist Conference after multiplication of 2010. When he received approval for study leave with pay, Rev.
Peter T. N. Dagwat was recommended by him to act on his behalf.
Dns. Elizabeth Olubola Fabunmi: She is the Office Secretary and Secretary of the Conference President. She was also transferred from Lagos State Baptist Conference after multiplication of 2010.
Mr. Titus Olugbenga Ogundare: He is the Conference Driver, but serves as the official driver of the Conference President. He was transferred from the old Conference.
Mr. Akinyimika Akindele Adeoti: He is the Officer -in -Charge of Cleaning Services. He was employed on 1st July, 2017 to replace Mr. Yusuf Temitope Balogun, who took over from Mr. Christopher Ayanbayo Ayantunde, who was transferred from the old Conference. Mr. Ayantunde resigned on 18th December, 2015.
Miss. Rebecca Omolola Kilanko: She began as an Industrial Training Attaché and was later retained in that capacity on compassionate ground to assist her educational pursuit.
Constitution: The Conference first adopted the Constitution and Bye-Laws of the defunct Conference, but quickly set up a seven -man committee comprising Dn. Joseph O. Adebayo, Dn. Adeniyi Adesola, Mr Femi Akinkunmi, Rev. Dr. Gabriel O. Adebayo, Bro. Kehinde Ayodele, Dns. Mopelola Alabi and Rev. Francis K. Adebayo to draft a Constitution and Bye-Laws for the Conference. The work of the committee was presented to the 2nd Kingdom Assembly at First Baptist Church, Mafoluku for consideration and was finally adopted on Thursday, 28th August, 2013 as a legal document of the Conference.
Rev. Dr. Matthew Olawale Awujoola: He assumed the office of the President of the Lagos East Baptist Conference on1st May, 2020. He was handicapped on resumption by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Awujoola was born on 30th June, 1971. He obtained both Bachelor of Theology (2002) and Master of Art in Theological Studies (2011) from the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, while his Doctor of Ministry was obtained from the African International University, Nairobi, Kenya in 2018. He has spent 18 years in pastoral ministry, and 10 years out of this was in the Lagos East Baptist Conference.
He pastored Ajara Baptist Church, Ajara, Lagos from June 30, 2002 to August 1, 2010. Prior to his appointment as the President of the Lagos East Baptist Conference, he was the pastor of Ire Akari Baptist Church, Isolo, Lagos from August 8, 2010 to April 30, 2020. He has held these leadership positions: Christian Education Director, Itesiwaju Baptist Association (2010 – 2014); Pastors’ Fellowship Chairman, Itesiwaju Baptist Association (2016); Moderator, Itesiwaju Baptist Association (2017 till March, 2020); Financial Secretary, Lagos East Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (2015 – 2018) and Vice Chairman, Lagos East Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (2019 till 30th April, 2020).
The sacrifices made by these individuals are numerous. Some sacrificed their God-given endowments to grow the Conference. Others rendered their professional skills without collecting a Kobo from the Conference. When their colleagues in sister conferences charged and collected a stipend, our officers turned down every move to reward them financially. The Conference treasurers, legal advisers, auditors, Infrastructure and Development Committee members and others are appreciated for rendering selfless services. The pioneer Conference President, Rev. Dr. Awotunde, forfeited his entitlements for the stability of the Conference. We know that God is not unjust to forget the work and labour of love which they have shown toward His name and in the way they have ministered to the saints (Hebrews 6:10). The Baptist family is very grateful to God who gave these wonderful kingdom workers to us as gifts and whose contributions have added value to Baptist work in Lagos and Ogun states.