Tribute to Special Apostle, Prophet (Dr.) Olubunmi Fakeye, General Leader/Chairman, Cherubim And Seraphim Movement Church, Surulere by Sina Thorpe

Late Fakeye

THERE is no doubt that God used Moses Orimolade to establish the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, while the revelation of the Church was through Special Apostle, Prophet (Dr.) Gabriel Olubunmi Fakeye.

The Cherubim and Seraphim Church used to be one of the most misunderstood and vilified Churches in Nigeria.  But that has changed.  This Church of God has found a respectable place in the community of Churches in Nigeria. 

Thanks be to God for one man; Gabriel Olubunmi Fakeye, Special Apostle for Evangelism, the District Chairman/General Leader of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Surulere, Ayo ni O, who joined the saint triumphant early on Sunday, 11th January, 2015.

Leader, as we fondly called him gave a voice to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church.  He was able to convince many otherwise antagonists that the ‘babalawos’ in white garments with their strange and offensive ‘eto adura’ (prayer arrangements) do not represent the Church neither the prophets who take other peoples’ wives to rivers for spiritual cleansing or use their visions to create divisions in homes and amongst friends and relations.  That it was not the Church of magicians, occultists and curious practitioners.

 But a Church of God whose foundation is in Christ the rock, with very strong evangelical learning. A Church well endowed in the manifestation of prophetic and other spiritual gifts coupled with effective prayers for total salvation of men, including emancipation from the powers of darkness, spiritual wickedness in high places. 

Special Apostle Prophet Dr. Olubunmi Fakeye, personified that persuasion, a great prophet of God who took evangelism with vigour.  Baba Fakeye was one of the pioneers of Radio Evangelism in Nigeria with the Church Evangelical outfit ‘Edidi Iye’ meaning ‘Seed of Life’.  His manner of evangelism was simple, direct and impactful.  It met with the needs of saints and sinners.  People of diverse religious persuasion and disposition were eagerly glued to the radio every Sunday morning to get spiritual direction and revelation through this great man of God.

The ‘Psalmist’ as he was fondly called made the Psalms of David came alive, practical and reference point for efficious prayers and supplications.

Long, when it was taboo for Pastors and Imams to sit together, G. O. Fakeye saw and preached religious harmony and tolerance.  This is without losing sight that he was an Apostle of Christ and a firm believer that indeed, Christ is the way, the truth and the Life.

If the world gained tremendously from Fakeye, we the direct beneficiaries, old and young worshippers in ‘Surulere’ and the branches were the best for that.   Seeing a swamp and the habitation of dangerous reptiles turned into a magnificient worship place helps to build our faith.  The emergence of spiritual-filled, well endowed and perhaps, the most celebrated Choir in Nigeria, the Asaphs of our time with landmark, albums including ‘Lehin Jesu, Ko Seni Kan’, ‘Oke Mimo’ and the likes are great testimony of God’s grace manifested through the leadership of Fakeye.

With great administrative skills which birthed numerous male and female bands committed to spiritual and welfare needs of teeming members of the Church, a great Youth Fellowship, a Disciple of Christ Ministry and English Chapel Children Ministry. Fakeye led a Church that became a big tree with sufficient shades for spiritual growth and self actualization of members.

In spite of the unprecedented phenomenal growth of the Surulere District, the General Leader and the other elders remained committed to the Movement Arm of the Cherubim and Seraphim denomination. He diligently served as Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of that body and worked tirelessly to unite the different arms of Cherubim and Seraphim Church into one body in leadership, liturgy and worship.  He was a strong believer in the unity of the Church believing truly as Jesus Christ said that all believers shall be one.

He was God’s own General, a spiritual mentor to many who raised many soldiers for Christ in and outside the Cherubim and Seraphim Church. He was until his death, a national executive member of CAN, the President of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), and a very active member of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).

A person of manifest devotion to God, family and friends, in recognition of his service to evangelism, Prophet Fakeye was conferred with one of the Nigeria’s Highest Religious Honours “The Sower Award” in 1980.  He received numerous other honours and awards from various civic organizations in Nigeria and from number of countries in Europe and America. 

He was a true elder who fed the Church of God, taking the oversight not by constraint not filthy lucre but of a ready mind neither as being lords over God heritage but examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:2-3) and he was indeed an example in faithfulness, utmost reliance of God at all times, worshipping with a heart of sincerity, spirit and in truth.

He loved embraced, encouraged and promoted education as well as pursuit of personal growth, both spiritual and secular.  His commitment to the realization of the Moses Orimolade University was profound. 

The youth of the Church gained tremendously from him.  He taught us to be zealous for God, to worship God with passion.  He never failed to remind us of directing the strength of our youth to that which is godly, righteous and edifying.  We remember this great man of God who will sit at the back of the Church to ‘inspect’ our programmes unobstructively refusing many a times to be acknowledged.  He was simply simple and humble. He loved us passionately, assist us greatly and never disappointed us.  We were not just his children, he treated us as friends.  He prayed for us, admonished us, chastised us but he loved us with the love of God.  He was indeed, a Special Apostle for the Youth and we miss him sorely.

It could be truly said that God used Saint Moses Orimolade Tunolase to establish the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, the Revelation of the Church was however through Gabriel Olubunmi Fakeye who gave ‘Serafu’ a voice, respect and an identity.

Sina Thorpe is the Asst. Director, Press/Public Relations, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation.