Plans are in top gear for the week-long activities marking the 120th anniversary of First Baptist Church, Isia, Okeho, Oyo State. The anniversary will commence on Sunday (tomorrow) with the grand finale on 26th August.
According to a statement co-signed by the Under-Shepherd of the church, Rev. (Dr.) T.G Olawuwo; Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr. J.A Makinde; and the committee’s Secretary, Mr. J.T Ogunjimi, ordination of new sets of Deacons is the first activity of the anniversary celebration on Sunday.
Other programmes are: Anniversary Prayer on Monday; Rally/moving round the city (Tuesday); Anniversary Lecture to be delivered by Rev. (Dr.) Richard Adetola (Wednesday); Health Talk to be delivered by Dr. T. O. Oyewusi (Thursday); Praise Night (Friday); Anniversary Celebration by President Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev (Dr.) Israel Adelani Akani (Saturday); and Anniversary Thanksgiving Service (Sunday).
First Baptist Church, Isia was established in 1903, through Baptist missionaries, Rev and Mrs. L. M. Duval, who settled and approved Saki as the second mission station after Oyo in the Oyo Division. Duval visited Okeho town on 23rd August 1902, and discovered Christianity had reached the area. The following year, Duval sent one of his workers who was already a Christian, John Idowu Aro, to start the spread of the gospel in Okeho as the first Pastor.
In 1907 during the period of Pastor James Odetayo, there were three converts in Okeho – Mr. and Mrs. Albert Idowu and John Ayinde Idowu who later became the church pastor in 1964.
Notable religious leaders, political office holders, business tycoons, academics, traditional rulers, eminent sons and daughters of Okeholand are among guests expected at the anniversary.
