Abstract:
Prophet Michael Olowere (PMO) is one of the foremost prophets within Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Nigeria. Existing works on CAC have focused mainly on its origin and growth, contributions of its alms, other CAC prophets and leadership crises, with little attention paid to the contributions of PMO. The contributions of PMO to the expansion of CAC in Ibadanland, from 1978 to 2015, were examined with a view to determining his ministerial significance.
Wilmot Blyden’s approach to evangelization in Africa which postulates the inclusion of African agency for rapid expansion of Christianity in the continent, and Peter Berger’s theory of socio-economic development which emphasises symbolic relationship between faith and development were adopted. A key Informant Interview was conducted with PMO and In-depth Interviews were conducted with 50 purposively selected respondents: 30 functionaries of the Church (11 Pastors, nine Elders, 10 aged Church leaders), and 20 non-members of CAC. Copies of a questionnaire were administered on 567 respondents across forty eight churches planted by PMO. The Church records were also consulted. Data were subjected to historical analysis.
The contributions of PMO to the expansion of CAC were establishment of church assemblies and activities, a theological institute, health centres, and socio-economic empowerment. Between 1978 and 2015, PMO established 48 church assemblies in Ibadanland and a bi-weekly interdenominational programme tagged “Automatic Prayer” in November 1995. He advanced ecumenism by his financial contributions towards the mission works in other denominations and counseling of ministers from other churches through counseling. He promoted theological education through the establishment of Thy Will Theological Institute (1997). He also engaged in ministerial tutelage: a unique concept derived from what existed in other seminaries, and through it, over 2000 ministers were trained between 1997 and 2015 in the art of effective ministering. He emphasised gender equality in church ministry by engaging 18 prophetesses and 32 lady evangelists in active church ministry. In the field of health, he founded 13 mid-wifery centres in Ibadan between 1978 and 2015; and established three cura divina based healing centres in Kajola (1989), Ashi (2000) and Olodo (2005). Olowere’s ministry contributed to infrastructural development: building of two guest houses at Ashi (2005) and Olodo (2010) which gave job opportunities to people; donation of a police post at Olodo (2013); construction of roads in Agbowo (1989); digging of a borehole at Agbowo (2004); organisation of Workers’ Cooperative Society at Ashi (2002); supply of electricity at Ashi (2006); and economic empowerment of 50 youths and 60 widows. These were achieved in spite of educational constraints, insufficient funds, and heavy local levies.
The contributions of Prophet Michael Olowere significantly expanded Christ Apostolic Church in Ibadanland by establishing new churches, fostering ecumenism and engaging the female gender. Other Church leaders could imbibe this evangelism approach for expansion.
