The Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) commenced the year 2025 with a profound sense of loss, mourning the passing of three prominent clerics on New Year’s Day. Evangelist Oladotun Elusanmi, Shepherd of Orisun Ayo Parish, Ilupeju; Shepherd Olumuyiwa Michael, Shepherd In-Charge of Christ Testimony Parish, Ikorodu; and Assistant Venerable Superior Evangelist (Prophet) Johnson Olajuwon of the CCC International Headquarters, Ketu, all in Lagos State, Nigeria, transitioned on the same day, leaving a void within the Celestial community. The news spread rapidly through social media, with members expressing their grief and disbelief at the sudden loss of these respected figures. The coincidental nature of their deaths on the first day of the year sparked speculation and concern within the community, prompting the church leadership to address the situation.
Prophet Johnson Olajuwon’s passing was particularly poignant, given his active participation in the New Year’s Eve crossover service just hours before his death. He had read the second lesson, seemingly full of life and vitality, making the news of his sudden demise even more shocking. Superior Evangelist Kayode Ajala, Secretary of the Pastor in Council and Head of Media and Publicity for CCC worldwide, officially announced Olajuwon’s death on the church’s website, expressing the collective shock and sadness that reverberated throughout the church. Olatosho Oshoffa, Shepherd of CCC International Headquarters, Ketu, further paid tribute to Olajuwon, describing him as a dedicated, loyal, and truthful servant of God on his Facebook page.
The announcements of Shepherd Michael and Evangelist Elusanmi’s deaths followed shortly after, further deepening the sense of loss within the Celestial community. The CCC Christ Testimony Parish, Ikorodu, announced Michael’s passing on their Facebook page, while news of Elusanmi’s death circulated through the ‘Celestialgeneration’ Instagram account. The convergence of these three deaths on the same day understandably generated a wave of emotion and discussion amongst church members, prompting a response from the church leadership to address any potential misinterpretations or superstitious beliefs surrounding the tragic events.
Superior Evangelist Kayode Ajala, speaking to Saturday PUNCH, cautioned against ascribing any supernatural or superstitious meaning to the coincidental deaths. He emphasized that such interpretations were contrary to the Christian faith and urged members to view the events through the lens of faith and acceptance of God’s will. Ajala reiterated that death is an inevitable part of life and that the timing of one’s passing is ultimately determined by God. He underscored the fact that people die every day, and while the simultaneous loss of three clerics was undoubtedly painful, it should not be interpreted as anything other than a natural occurrence.
Ajala further explained that associating superstitious meaning to the deaths was incompatible with Christian teachings. He referenced biblical scriptures emphasizing the cyclical nature of life – birth and death, joy and sorrow – as ordained by God. He stressed the importance of maintaining faith and trust in God’s plan, even in the face of difficult and seemingly inexplicable events. He urged members to avoid resorting to superstitious explanations, which he believed could undermine their faith and understanding of God’s sovereignty.
The church leadership, while deeply saddened by the loss, aimed to guide the community through their grief with a message of faith and reassurance. Ajala conveyed the church’s condolences to the bereaved families, promising support and prayers during their time of mourning. He reiterated that the church’s prayers against sudden death were ongoing and emphasized the importance of focusing on faith rather than succumbing to fear or superstitious beliefs. While acknowledging the collective pain and mourning within the church, he urged members to find solace in their faith and to remember the deceased clerics for their service and dedication to the Celestial Church of Christ.
