Ogunbomehin, the man who founded CAC Camp goes home in style
Pa Isaiah Ogunbomehin
November 15, 2019, was a remarkable day. It was the day people from all walks of life and faiths gathered together in unity to celebrate the life and times of Prophet/Pastor Isaiah Olufayobi Ogunbomehin.
The venue was Mount of Joy Grace Church, 14 Saratu Street Agege.
Pastor Ogunbomehin died at 82 on July 21, 2019. He was in the ministry for 59 years. He had ministered in his church till around 2 pm on Sunday, July 21 hale and hearty. But 10 p.m on the same day he had gone to rest in the bosom of the Lord.
He is reputed to be the pioneer builder of the CAC Joseph Ayo Babalola Memorial Miracle Camp at Ikeji Arakeji in Osun state. He was a community leader and had a tradition of reaching out to people of other faiths. While alive, he celebrated his birthday every year, using it as an opportunity to minister to people who come from different faiths and social leaning.
Little wonder that the burial service of this icon of faith attracted top-ranking men of God from different denominations and other faiths. Prominent among these dignitaries are the Methodist Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Bishop Ogunlere. Very Reverend Obaselu of Methodist Church Ibadan, Reverend Olusegun Mebude of the Methodist church lrolu Remo, the hometown of the deceased.
Ogunbomehin, a unique Ijebu indigene
In his sermon at the burial service titled: ‘What Will Be Your Gain’, Rev. Mebude enjoined the congregation to emulate the life of humility, gentleness, and forbearance lived by Pastor Ogunbomehin.
He said, “For 59 years he served God faithfully. He was an icon to be appreciated. He was a man who touched the lives of every human being he met”
While appreciating the family of Ogunbomehin for giving him the opportunity to preach he said, ” Ogunbomehin loved the Methodist Church. He contributed to the development of Irolu his hometown.”
He recalled that the Methodist Church Irolu in conjunction with the Irolu Development Association organised a commendation service for Pastor Ogunbomehin in Irolu. “It was the first of its kind in Methodist Church, as it was the first time such would be organised for a non-member of the church. Also it was the first time, IDA, the major association in Irolu would collaborate with a church to honour anyone in the town, as they sponsored the pamphlets, banners, and food for the occasion. Also apart from arriving at the occasion early, Oba of Irolu gave a powerful testimony on how Pastor Ogunbomehin impacted his hometown, Irolu.”
He then urged the congregation to live a life that is worth emulating.
The Regional Superintendent of the Akinyele Region of Christ Apostolic Church comprising of Lagos, Ogun and Cotonou, Pastor M.O Yusuf in his sermon during the outing service described late Ogunbomehin as an unusual Ijebu man who gave generously.
Pastor Yusuf ministering at the event
He said, “We Yorubas from Oyo area always make jest of the Ijebus, we say, “ljebu lahun” meaning Ijebus are stingy. It was then a big surprise to me to learn that a philanthropist like Pastor Ogunbomehin was an Ijebu man. This is an example of what the gospel of Jesus can do in the life of a true believer.”
Pastor Yusuf who disclosed that he is the son of a chief imam said he was impressed by the testimony of the Chief lmam of the mosque in front of Pastor Ogunbomehin’s church during the Wake and the presence of Muslims from the mosque in the church for the outing service. He described the life of tolerance of the late cleric as worth emulating.
He emphasized the immeasurable impact of the life of Pastor Ogunbomehin in Christ Apostolic Church with the building of Joseph Ayo Babalola Memorial Miracle Camp Ikeji Arakeji.
According to him, before Pastor Ogunbomehin initiated the project, CAC had nothing. Today the church can boast of a university in that Ikeji location.
He commended and recommended the selfless, sacrificial life of Ogunbomehin “who could have built housing estates for himself, or name the Camp after himself, and start making money from it, like some men of God did. With all the resources at his disposal, he had no personal building anywhere in Nigeria or abroad, and had one Tokunbo car.”
Pastor Yusuf who was the representative of the CAC authorities at the occasion apologised for the absence of the principal officers of the CAC Church due to some crucial assignments that took some of them out of Nigeria. He came with a delegation that includes the DCC Superintendent of CAC Ikeja Anifowose, Pastor J.O Ogunwuyi, the DCC
Superintendent of CAC Agege, Pastor Eyebiokin, who turned out to be the MC of the occasion.
Also present at the occasion were the lmam and Muslim faithful from Fiwakesin Mosque located directly in front of Pastor Ogunbomehin’s church. With their Muslim regalia, they sat with the congregation and were enthusiastic in shouting a halleluiah when they were introduced. Ministers from Foursquare, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mountain of Fire and Miracles MFM and other evangelical churches were present at the event including a seasoned marriage counsellor, Pastor Bisi Adewale.
the congregation at the burial ceremony
The king of Pastor Ogunbomehin’s hometown, Onirolu of lrolu- Remo, Oba Sikiru Adeyiga, the King of Ipo- Ikeji Arakeji, a town that benefited from the life of the deceased, titleholders of Agege community who graced the occasion in uniform attire, made the occasion unique. It was a gathering of people with different persuasions, leanings and religions. Young boys and girls in the environ where the church is located came to pay their last respect to a man they called ‘baba’.
The burial service attracted about a thousand people with the whole street closed to traffic. But all those who came had a fill of the goodies served at the event. It was a shock to many that it did not rain until the programme had ended. That rekindled the faith of the people that indeed, Pa Ogunbomehin was God’s servant.
