Bishop David Abioye on Friday, October 18 retired from the Living Faith Church after an impressive valedictory service that had in attendance a coterie of church leaders across the country.
The event turned out to be a time to pay homage to Bishop Abioye who was profusely grateful to his father in Faith, Bishop David Oyedepo for the privilege of service.
An excited Abioye told the congregation at the Abuja Goshen City venue of the event that the lessons he had learnt from staying under Bishop Oyedepo’s tutelage had provided him for him the security of destiny.
He said, “for now me and my wife, the lessons learnt so far in the Living Faith Church have provided for us security of destiny. I stand here with a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation to the Lord for the grace he has rested on me which puts me in continuity in the path of exploits.”
While expressing gratitude to God for the privilege to serve on the platform of the Winners Chapel since inception, he said, “My adventure in ministry is not a subject of being desirous or having an ambition but simply fulfilling purpose. Coming from a humble background under my parents I simply find myself growing up loving God and the things of the kingdom”
He acknowledged his biological father, who is now late while also noting that his mother and mother-in-law along with many of his family members were at the valedictory service.
Oyedepo’s impact
Abioye, 63, said God had used Bishop Oyedepo to impact his life in no little way. His words, “My wife and I have been well fed with the word of God by Bishop Oyedepo. He has been used by God to guide us on the path of destiny. As a trailblazer, he has inspired us in the pursuit of the divine plan and as a prophet he has provided us adequate covering in the journey of life. Meeting with God’s servant became like entering into a school and life-transforming lessons have been learnt.”
He emphasized that there is no self-made man in life and added that God uses men to transform people’s lives.
Abioye said further, “Such is the story of my adventure with Bishop Oyedepo. Greatness is not a thing to wish for. But a journey to make by following, which by God’s help I have engaged myself since my first encounter with him in January 1980. Then I was about to be 19 years old.”
The retiring Bishop expressed the belief that his meeting with Bishop Oyedepo was “orchestrated by the Holy Spirit to fulfill divine purpose. Today, people look at me with admiration as a full-fledge duplicate of grace that is upon the life of my prophet, pastor, teacher, and mentor, Bishop David Oyedepo”
Making reference to his forward in a recently published book on Oyedepo, Abioye said, “What you earn is into your pocket, but what you learn goes into your future”
He noted that his relationship with Bishop Oyedepo which has spanned close to 45 years is quite extensive and deep. He then promised that the relationship would continue in his post-retirement years.
Tribute
In his tribute at the event, Pastor Paul Enenche noted that making a difference is superior to making a living. “That is what I found about the life of Bishop Abioye,” he said
Abioye’s life according to him is about “making meaning not just making money. Making impact not just making income. The struggle to make a mark, not a struggle to make a name. The struggle to know not the struggle to be known.
He said Abioye has worked tirelessly adding that there is never a wasted labour.
Earlier in his tribute, Pastor Faith Oyedepo inspired hope in Abioye assuring him that better days are ahead.
Bishop Oyedepo spent time praying profusely for the retiring bishop and his wife while also praying for all those in attendance.