The eldest daughter of the late pastors Taiwo and Bimbo Odukoya, Toluwani Ijogun, was officially installed as the associate pastor at the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos, while her brother, Jimmy, was named the senior pastor during a ceremony held on Saturday, September 30, 2023.
The Fountain of Life Church, co-founded by Taiwo and Bimbo Odukoya in 1992, witnessed a transition of leadership that saw Tolu and Jimmy taking on pivotal roles within the church. The installation ceremony, held at the church’s headquarters in Ilupeju, was graced by distinguished personalities in the Christian community, including Bishop Mike Okonkwo, presiding over The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, and other revered figures like Wale Oke, president of The Sword of the Spirit Ministries, and Yomi Kasali, senior pastor of Foundation of Truth Assembly.
During the service, Bishop Okonkwo paid tribute to the late Taiwo Odukoya, highlighting his humility and the lasting impact he made. He commended the church for giving the late pastor a dignified burial, reflecting on the founders’ dedicated service to God and the church. He emphasized, “God used Pastor Taiwo and Bimbo Odukoya to found this church, and God is our cornerstone. They spent their years to honor God, and God has done them well.”
The formal installation of the new leaders was conducted by Bishop Okonkwo, regarded as the ‘grandfather’ of the church due to his significant involvement since its inception. He recalled the early days, sharing how he and his wife laid hands on Toluwani and Jimmy’s parents when the church was established. He spoke about God’s choice of imperfect instruments to carry out His work, highlighting that God looks beyond the natural eye’s qualifications.
In a heartfelt prayer, Jimmy expressed his gratitude to God, acknowledging the responsibility bestowed upon him as Pastor Taiwo and Bimbo Odukoya’s son. He recognized the grace that led him to this position and thanked God for his upbringing within the family. He emphasized that being worthy is a testament to God’s grace and their parents’ enduring legacy in faith and service.
