There have been mixed reactions as Jimmy Odukoya, the first son of the late Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, emerged as the new General Overseer of the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos.
The development was made known on Sunday at the outing and thanksgiving service to round off the burial rites of the foremost minister of God.
According to the announcement made by the Church’s Board of Trustees during the Sunday Live Service by Elder Rotimi Okpaise, a member of the trustee, Jimmy Odukoya was announced as his late father’s successor in accordance with the constitution of the Church. The installation service has been scheduled for September 30, 2023.
Pastor Daniel Taiwo Odukoya died on August 7 in the United States and was buried on September 9.
“Pastor Jimmy is now our senior pastor, and he is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees,” the board member told the cheering congregation.
Jimmy, who is a Nollywood actor, got his education at Oral Roberts University in the United States.
There have been torrents of mixed reactions as Jimmy Odukoya, the Nollywood actor first son of the Church founder, Pastor Daniel Taiwo Odukoya was announced as the successor to his father’s much coveted pulpit.
The appointment might have been taken in good faith save some of the social life and dressings of the new General Overseer.
The newly appointed General Overseer, Pastor Jimmy Odukoya from several images recovered from Social Media revealed that he wears dreadlocks which he was not born with, wears ear rings and tattoos all over his body.
In the same development his sister, the first daughter Pastor Tolu Odukoya-Ijogun has been appointed as the associate Pastor of the Church. Pastor Tolu will be the Senior Associate Pastor and Vice Chairman of the BOT.
In some of the reactions, some wonder if Church has become a business to be inherited by the biological children of the founder.
Somebody asked, “Is Church a business to be inherited?” Another person, “Longe Bankole, answered, “Because the government had mandated the owners to form and register it as a business under CAC, (Corporate Affairs Commission), using Board of Trustees, invariably Church is business by law.”
Another observer commented, “With this kind of hairstyle? Are you sure this one is born again? He is an actor though I don’t think church should be inherited.
Chas Ideho, a media practitioner on his social media page equally trumped up a discourse, where he asked, “Is the body of Christ in Nigeria ready for a dreadlocks and tattooed General Overseer of a prominent church?, which attracted different reactions from his followers. To which Awe Laolu replied, “We are ready oo.”
Another responded, “I wonder o. I call it Gen Z era of a Nigerian Church. I will be watching how the adults with serious African mentality will adjust.”
Lucky Joe submitted that Pastor Jimmy “should not be judged by his appearance or the dreadlocks of a thing but his inner mindset towards humanity which God is concerned about.”
Ebenezer Success Adebola wrote, “If he’s naturally Dada, (a Yoruba child born with dreadlock), it’s ok, but artificial noooo, tattoo mba!”
Osagie Agbode said, “There are some dreadlocks that are natural which is okay but the one that is invented or artificial is ungodly according to the bible. Tattoo, men putting on earrings is outlawed by the bible, there is no new generation bible or God’s standard no matter what anybody say or think. Very soon, they will say, sin is not a big deal, grace is what matters, once you are saved you are saved. Nonsense.”
Some people likened his hairstyle to that of Samson, a Nazarite by birth who should not cut his hair. This also stirred reactions. According to Dickson Omoikhoa Abayomi Isaac, “Who is Samson? God choose Samson for a purpose. He was a Nazarite. One of his physical traits was long dread, long hair to do the supernatural. We look at the outward appearance but God looks on the inside ..
“To me what is inside of him – the power of the Holy Spirit but to do the will of God is all that really matters. We have had clean cut debonair preachers do some atrocities .. leave the young man, let God be his guide.”
Prince Ebitimi Weigha also asked, “Does God change? If God does not change if He is the same yesterday, today and forever .. if He granted Samson auction and power He will grant Pastor Jimmy the same.”
The practice of handing over church to children or wife of late founders has been gaining ground in the Church space. While some Churches take it in good faith it has always been a tug of war in many other Churches.
A Church was thrown into public fight some years back when the children of the founder decided to take over the control of their father’s church from a set of successors who were the associates of the founder, by bringing in men in uniform, miscreants and area boys to fight their battle.
Recently, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo had publicly handed over the control of his church in London to his son, Pastor Tobi Ashimolowo.
At the handing over ceremony, the Founder of the Kingsway International Christian Centre, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, appointed his first son, Tobi Ashimolowo, as Resident Pastor 2 of the KICC in London.
This was the way he put it in a service suggestive of his retirement at 70 years.
“Tobi will be assisting his mother, Yemisi Ashimolowo, who has been the resident Pastor at the church for a long time.”
He later prayed that his son would be anointed and favoured by God, and that God would use him to draw his own generation to God, and to shake systems.
Who is Pastor Jimmy Odukoya?
Jimmy Odukoya is a Nigerian actor, gospel musician, motivational speaker, relationship coach, and cleric who is fondly called “Pastor J”. He played the role of Oba Ade in the 2022 movie “The Woman King” alongside Viola Davis.
Jimmy’s call to ministry happened while living in Tulsa Oklahoma when he became very active in a local church called Greenwood Christian Center under Bishop Gary and Debbie McIntosh (now Transformation church). He got involved in church operations, speaking at quarterly conferences, and assisting in the growth and development of the ministry.
In 2009, Jimmy became a licensed Minister in the state of Oklahoma and later that year he was ordained by his father Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, as a Pastor at the Fountain Of Life Church.
Jimmy served as the Associate Pastor of Church 3:16; the youth expression of the Fountain of Life for two years and later became the Coordinating Pastor in February 2012.
In May of 2019, following the mandate of his father, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, to reach a younger generation across the state, Jimmy and Kemi started The CAVE; a safe place for people to come as they are to find God’s love while being transformed into their purpose and calling without fear of judgment or restriction of man-made doctrines.
Jimmy is a gifted teacher and his sermons are full of insightful and practical ways to live a spirit-filled life here on earth. He has the gift of faith and prophecy and has seen God move in powerful ways. He loves to worship and he depends on the Holy Spirit to minister to the people.
Jimmy as a gospel singer
Jimmy grew up singing, dancing, and acting in church, which led to a passion for performing arts from a young age.
From primary school all the way through to university, Jimmy was always involved in activities that allowed him to express his creativity and was fondly known for it.
He had such a huge impact on his music programme in secondary school that he was employed upon graduation to become an assistant music teacher for a year.
From starting a dance group to performing in theatre productions whilst living and studying in the US, the performing arts have always been a major part of his life.
Jimmy aka PJ is a multi-award-winning artist who began his music career in 2010 when he relocated to Nigeria launching his debut Single “Show Ya Self”.
This single earned him multiple nominations and awards and announced his arrival to the gospel music industry in Nigeria.
In 2011, PJ followed up with another single “Conqueror” which again raised the bar for the gospel music industry.
PJ took some time off to focus on ministry and family in 2012 and 2013 and returned with a hit single called, “My Way” featuring RnB crooner Shaydee.
He then started his media company called Firehouse Records in 2014 when he released other hits singles including, “Mr. Wonder” and “Attention” featuring Lynxxx in 2016.
His passion for music continues to grow, as he continues to release inspirational music that conveys the message of faith, hope, and love.
Education
Jimmy Odukoya studied Business Administration (Advertising minor) at Oral Roberts University, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States.
He returned to Nigeria in 2010 and was made the assistant pastor of Church 3:16, The Youth Ministry of The Fountain of Life Church.
Marriage
Pastor Jimmy Odukoya is married to Oluwakemi Folashade Banjoko, now Kemi Odukoya. Their wedding was in London on March 9, 2013.
The marriage is blessed with two children – a boy and a girl.
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