Bishop Lawrence Osagie, Founder of Powerline Bible Church is dead. He died on Sunday, September 10 at the age of 65 according to a statement issued by the Church on Tuesday, September 12 made available to Church Times Nigeria
Osagie celebrated his 65th birthday on May 6 .
The church, located along the Oshodi-Mile Two express road by Cele Bus stop was founded 35 years ago. Osagie was one of the close associates of the Late Archbishop Benson Idahosa and a great player in the Word of Faith Movement.
Osagie was a staff in Christ Chapel International Churches founded by Rev Tunde Joda. He was in charge of the graphics department of the church and was reputed to have designed the He Reigns sticker which Christ Chapel was known for. The payoff of Christ Chapel then was He reigns. Members used to greet themselves with the slogan, He reigns. Osagie however left the church in some controversial circumstances to start Powerline Bible Church in 1988.
His ministry career
Reflecting on his ministry career when he was 60, he said in a report that, “The journey has been good. It has been like a whirlwind: rough and tough, but I have absolutely nothing to regret. Every day, we hear people’s testimonies, which are the things that make us go on; that there is a God Who answers prayers.
“They testify that God and His word are real and that God is Who He says He is. We have had it for 30 years and He has given us the opportunity of life and health, and we will spend it serving him and serving the people – that is the joy.
It’s been beautiful and there is absolutely nothing to regret in the past 30 years of ministry. God has blessed me.”
Succession
He also dropped a hint on his succession plan for the ministry in the report. When asked who will take over the ministry from him he said, “That is a very simple thing, because I do not own the church. On several occasions, I have said this openly, and that is still the same situation. God is the One Who raises people and puts them in authority and He is also the One Who brings people down from authority. I believe that God is grooming somebody to replace me.
“When I started 30 years ago, my plan was to step down from pastoral office and probably go into teaching and preaching ministry upon hitting 55. However, when I was 55, I discovered that I had not even scratched the surface, and now I am 60.”
He passed on five years after the interview. The church noted in the statement that he would be greatly missed.
A good fight of faith
Quoting the words of Paul in 2 Tim 4v7-8, the statement concludes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing”