Serving God Truthfully Is The Key To Success – Reverend Francis Odonla
It was an unending flow of encomiums at the commemoration of Reverend Francis Folorunsho Odonla’s 62nd birthday celebration in the company of his wife Pastor Roselyn Ibimisan Odonla which held last Sunday at The Zion Bible Church, Ota, Ogun State.
The event which had Pastor Joshua Adegboyega as the Master of Ceremony doubled as a celebration of the clergyman’s birthday and also that of his wife. It was a gathering of the who is who at the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN).
Topping the long list of attendees was Oba Johnson Adeleye who singlehandedly facilitated the raising of funds worth over five hundred thousand naira to help further the ministry of Zion Bible Church.
Oba Johnson was full of praises for the celebrant, describing him as a man full of honorable virtues worthy of emulation and someone who was diligently doing the work of God.
Giving the word of the day, Venerable Ade Festus in a message he titled “God owns your life” implored the congregation to live a life that mirrors that of Christ while showering the celebrants with praises. He described the man of God as a man full of humility and hospitality, echoing what more than half of the congregation had earlier said.
The church, in what was almost uniform had paid endless tributes and testified to the generous and overly giving nature of the man of God and his wife.
Venerable Ade Festus continued, adding that “Pastor Odonla and his wife were the type that give, even under the most uncomfortable conditions”. He said they were the most generous individuals he had come across.
It wasn’t all talks, the congregation and celebrants had the pleasure of dancing to beautiful praise and worship sessions from the numerous choir groups that graced the event. One of such ministration was from the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria Regional choir. The lead singer Mrs. Funmilayo Makinde and her able co singers left the congregation begging for more!
However, the main side attraction came when Mrs Odonla sang her beloved husband’s Praise poetry which in Yoruba language is referred to as “Oriki”
She recited and sang on and on to the admiration of the congregation and her beloved husband.
When it came to the turn of the celebrant to express how he felt on attaining such an age and height, he was all smiles giving thanks to God for helping him get thus far. He said he felt very happy, and that it was by the grace of God that he got that far, especially since he was orphaned at the tender age of seven, having lost his mother to childbirth. He said it was difficult going on from there and he didn’t wish such on any other child.
When asked what the secret of his prosperous ministry was, he said it was because he was truthful in his service to God. Alluding to the Bible, he said serving God wholeheartedly brings success, quoting the popular Bible verse of “Seek first the kingdom of God and every other thing will be added onto you.
He went further, advising young and upcoming pastors to be truthful in their services to God in other to succeed in their ministries.
The event ended on a note of gratitude with the Reverend wholeheartedly giving thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with him and his wife.