BRIEF HISTORY OF GOFAMINT PPS OSOGBO
The first attempt at starting The Prosperity Pace Setters (PPS) Assembly of the Gospel Faith Mission international (GOFAMINT) in Osogbo, took place in 1998 when some members from the PPS Dominion Centre Ile-Ife (Mother Church) rented and met at an apartment at Olonkoro, Osogbo on weekly basis. However, the fellowship meetings initiated by PPS Dominion Centre, Ile- Ife could not be sustained for two main reasons.
- The then hired Pastor who was to be the pioneer Pastor was snatched by another prominent Church.
- The bank at the ground floor of the building accommodating the church resisted having a church with it since it was considered a security threat to the bank.
The second attempt which became successful began as house to house fellowship which was being held on rotational basis among the pioneer families (Okunlola, Adetuberu and Owoseni). The Okunlola and Adetuberu were former members of GOFAMINT PPS Dominion Centre, Ile-Ife while the family of Owoseni was from GOFAMINT Koiwo Assembly, Modakeke. These families had relocated from Ile-Ife to Osogbo in the heat of Ife-Modakeke crisis of year 2000.
During their second round of house fellowship in mid 2000, the representatives of the mother church in Ile-Ife (Pastors H.B Olaniyi and A. Oluyemi who later became Professors at Obafemi Awolowo University) visited Osogbo. Prior to their visit, the visitors had discussed with Evangelist Omonije who had just relocated from Abuja to Osogbo on God’s instruction on the latter having found a place of worship for the church. It was during this visit that payment for two year rent was made and two dozens of chairs were purchased for the use of the church. The families of Okunlola, Adetuberu, Owwoseni and Omonije teamed up and started worshipping in the newly rented apartment located at Rasco Hall, Okefia, Osogbo in year 2000. The fellowship meetings continued among these families until later in September of the same year, when Evangelist Omonije was appointed as the Assembly Pastor by the leadership of the Mission. Evangelist Omonije started first as a volunteer Pastor receiving support from mother church (PPS, Ile Ife).
The pioneer members were the families of Okunlola, Owoseni, Adetuberu and that of Pastor Omonije. Within the first five years of the existence of the church under the leadership of Pastor Omonije and by the help of the Lord, the church grew to 80-100 members range, including the children. Among the first families that were added to the church are the families of Jide Adefioye, Bunmi Jalekun, Fred Olatunde, Moses Eluyemi, Oluyonbo Olabimtan, Jide Ige, Michael Fabusoro, Adeniji, Tim-Mich Adenle and Olaoye Festus. The singles in the church then were Bro Augustine, Bro Segun Owoseni, Bro Ayo Owoseni, Bro Akin Ajiboye (now Elder Ajiboye), Sister Olusola Edeyokun (now Mrs Obajuwonlo), Sister Toyin (now Mrs Jayeola) to mention but a few.
Two major programmes that really helped the church as inspired by the Lord were:
- Monthly Hour of Fulfilment usually held on last Thursday of the month. This was characterized with prophetic revelation and declaration, and
- Discovery Hour Bible studies, which were captivating to every attendee.
In addition to this, during the tenure of Pastor Omonije was the procurement of the land where PPS church is today. The foundation was laid under his leadership before he was transferred to Port Harcourt effective March, 2005. He handed over the baton of leadership to Pastor John Babawale Okunlola (then Deacon Okunlola). The church was led by Pastor Okunlola between 2005 and March 2020 before his transfer and eventual elevation to the rank Assistant District Pastor for Ring Road District, Osogbo. Under the leadership, the church grew further due to his teaching grace and the priority given to membership development and discipleship. The church building also made tremendous progress under his watch and relocation to the site took place in 2010. The church has produced a few Elders (Eluyemi, Jalekun, Ige, Adefioye, Olabimtan, Ajiboye), Deacons (Fred Olatunde, Fabusoro, Oluwasola, Aderemi, Oni, Odebowale) and Deaconesses (Owoseni, Okunlola and Adetuberu). Some of the elders have been ordained and posted out to pastor other assemblies of GOAMINT.
Consequent upon the transfer of Pastor Okunlola in 2020, the incumbent (Pastor Moses Kehinde Opatola), was posted to from Ofatedo Assembly to lead the church. He is presently being assisted by Elder Jide Adefioye. The church has continued to wax stronger under the present leadership. The construction works on the church auditorium received massive face lift. The children church donated by the Obajuwonlo family was dedicated and new members have been added to the church. The church has one of the best edifices in the District and has continued to wax stronger. Indeed, the church is marching on and the gates of hell cannot overpower it.
Hallelujah!