IFAKI CHURCH

THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH, IFAKI -EKITI

          The Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Ifaki-Ekiti Came to being as families affairs as Adventist members worshipped in their different places or residence on Saturdays. On the 5^th day of January, 1991, the families of Elder J.A Agboola and Mrs F. D. Oluwatoba came together to worship of the residence of Elder Agboola. The place of worship then was No12, Imose Street, Ifaki Ekiti. They worshipped at Elder J. A. Agboola’s residence for about two years. The Church was operating under Ayetoro District. Pastors E A Okunlola and Adegbite used to visit the worshippers at Ifaki.

          The Pioneer members were; Elder J. A. Agboola, Mrs D. M. Agboola, Mrs F. D. Oluwatoba, Master Adedoyin Agboola, Alice Ibidun, Master Segun Oluwatoba, Miss Jumoke Tosin, Miss Ponmile Agboola, Miss Sade Oluwatoba, Master Remi Agboola, Master Wunmi Agboola, Miss Joke Agboola, Miss Nike Agboola, and Master Wole Agboola.

          On the 25^th of May 1995, two Pastors came from Ado-Ekiti to visit the church in Ifaki. They were Pastors E. A. Adeleye and Alabi. They advised the members to look for a more suitable place for church activities.

          Elder J. A. Agboola and Pastor J. A. Adesina helped to get one big cocoa store. It was rehabilitated and made fit for worshipping. On 17^th June 1995, five families worshipped together in the new venue and that was the beginning of full worship as Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Ifaki-Ekiti.

          The Families in attendance were those of Elder J.A. Agboola, Mrs F. D. Oluwatoba, M. A. Babatunde, Mrs Adetiloro and Pastor J.A Adesina.

          By the special grace of God, the church continued to grow and increase in membership. This made members to look for a more spacious building. The church moved to Mr. Adeosun’s residence along Ifaki/Iworoko Road and later Iwore Town Hall. A retreat was conducted and thirty (30) souls were baptized. As the church continued to grow members decided to look for a plot of land where a church building could be built. After the departure of Pastor J. A. Adesina, two other lay preachers came to Ifaki. They were: Mr M. O. Ajibola (now a Pastor) and Mr S. O. Ogunmola (now an Elder). They both contributed to the growth of Ifaki Church.

          To enable the work of God to continue, Elder Michael Olu-Ajayi was sent from Ado-Ekiti to Ifaki-Ekiti Church and his coming was quite timely. Another person from Ado-Ekiti was Elder Adeniyi who did a lot for the construction of the church building under the supervision of Elder M. Olu-Ajayi

          Elder S. O. Olaseinde, a teacher in Ifaki Methodist Girls High School, was a useful vessel in the hand of God because he contributed immensely to the development of Ifaki Church. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members also came in each year to worship in the church.

          On the 3^rd of August, 1995, Adventist Women Ministry came in for a retreat at Ifaki while Pastor E. A. Adeleye conducted a weekend revival there on the 10^th of October, 1996. The church had its first baptismal service conducted by Pastor J. O. Wojuade on the 12^th of October, 1996. The three souls baptized were Elder M. A. Babtunde, Mrs D. O. Babatunde and Miss Adenike Agboola. The first harvest thanksgiving of the church took place oon 15^th December, 1996. The Adventist Youth Ministry held their retreat at the Methodist Primary School hall, Ifaki-Ekiti from October 31^st to November 2^nd 1996.

          Ifaki church has steadily continued to grow under the grace of God.