GOFAMINT HISTORY

   



The Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT) is a major Christian denomination from Nigeria founded by Reuben Akinwalere George in Iwaya Yaba in 1956.[1]
The Gospel Faith Mission International is present in numerous countries, such as Britain since 1983[2] and the United States since 1985.[3]
GOFAMINT's International Office is situated at Gospel City; Kilometer 40, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, Aseese, Ogun State. While the National Office is at International Gospel Centre, Ojoo, Oyo Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Beginning

It all began with Brother Reuben Akinwalere George (later Pastor (Dr) R. A. George), a member of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) and a dynamic leader of the Christ Army Band of the CAC then at 83, Lagos Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, who had always felt a deep conviction of the call of God on his life.Thus in 1956, they started first as a small fellowship and Bible Study Group led by Brother R.A. George at his residence at No 9, Omotola Street, Iwaya Yaba, Lagos. The fellowship group then included the late Sister Dupe George, Brothers David Akinremi, Meshack Akinola, Iwaku J. Bagere, Daniel Aluko, Olusegun George, Elijah Oludele Abina, and Elkanah Obideyi. The other members of the group were Brothers Solomon Kudoro, Richard Godonu Akapo, one Mrs. Dorcas Adeyemi,Sisters Mary Kudoro, Felicia Akinremi (later Matron Felicia Abina), Janet Oke, Dupe Oju (later Dupe Akapo), among others.
The Church began to grow, and later moved to her first building at 22, Balogun Street also in Iwaya and from there, gradually spread to Bariga, Mushin, Salvation Army Road in Ibadan, and the rest of the world. Pastor George was ordained as Pastor in 1959 and he transited into glory in 1987 after which his deputy all along at the time, Pastor (Dr) E.O. Abina took over the mantle of leadership in the same 1987. Pastor Elijah Ogundele Abina resigned his appointment in the secular work at Arbico Ltd. Apapa Lagos and took up pastoral duty as Pastor i/c of G.F.M. situated at No. 22, Balogun Street, Iwaya Lagos assembly from Saturday 29th September 1962. And on 22nd Dec. 1963, Pastor E.O. Abina was ordained as Pastor, No. 22, Balogun Street, Iwaya, Yaba Lagos. It is worthy of note that The Gospel Faith Mission International became an incorporated body in Nigeria in October 1967. The first Annual Convention held at 22, Balogun Street, Iwaya from 4 to 7 November 1966. Attendance then was 300 and there was free feeding for participants. The convention now holds at the Mission’s campground, Gospel Town, along Igbo Oloyin Road, Ojoo, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria since 1990.


Expansion

The Church that started with barely 20 people has grown so large today with over 2000 branches under over 15 Administrative regions headed by Regional Pastors. The Regions are further sub-divided into Districts and Areas which are equally headed by District and Area pastors respectively. Branches have also been established in many African countries such as Benin Republic, Togo, Gabon, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Liberia, South Africa, Botswana among others.
In Britain, the Church, which was established in 1983 has extended to the Irish Republic with a branch in Dublin. GOFAMINT’s first branch in the United States of America was established in 1985. This has grown into well over ten branches today. Equally, the Church now has branches in Calgary, Canada and Turnhout in Belgium.
In 2007, GOFAMINT was birthed in the Philippines, an initiative of the General Overseer, Pastor (Dr) E.O. Abina to take the gospel, through GOFAMINT to all the continents of the world. Through this initiative, GOFAMINT has launched evangelistic campaigns in Mexico, Australia, and Brazil. The Church also has presence in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, etc.[4]

Ministries

With growth and expansion, different departments and ministries were created. They include Christian Education, Women Ministry, Men Fellowship,[5] Music Ministry, Missions, The Power House, Youth Fellowship,[6] Gospel Students' Fellowship, Operation Identification, Gospel Partners Forum, Child Evangelism Unit, Audio Visual Unit,[7] GOFAMINT Online Team, GOFAMINT Drama/Film Ministries[8] among others.
The Mission also has a Theological Seminary, Reuben George Memorial College of Theology, (formerly Gospel Bible College) with campuses in Okitipupa in Ondo State, at Gospel Town, Ojoo Ibadan with annexes in Lagos. There are also Schools of Evangelism and Missions.

Leadership

The Church is being directed by the Holy Spirit through the Executive Council, which is headed by the current General Overseer, Pastor (Dr) Elijah Oludele Abina.[9][10]

Statement of Purpose

  • To preach the Word of God and to bring people into membership of God's family;
  • To teach the Word of God to enhance freedom, promote Christian maturity and bind the people to God for service, and
  • To live the word of God to demonstrate the new life in Christ to the World, and ensure the security of the believer[11]

Fundamental Beliefs

Belief in:[12]
  1. In the divine inspiration of the Holy Bible - 11Tim.3 vs. 16-17; 1Pet.1vs 20,21.
  2. In the trinity of the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - Matt.28 vs.19; Matt.3 vs. 16-17; Deut.6 vs. 4; 1 Cor.8 vs.6; Mk. 12 vs. 28-30
  3. In the total depravity of the human race - Rom.5 vs. 12; Gen.6 vs. 5-7; Rom. 1 vs. 28-32; Ps.51 vs. 5
  4. In the plan of redemption through the blood of Christ - Jn.3 vs. 16; Lev.17 vs. 11
  5. In repentance and restitution - Acts 3 vs. 19; Ezek. 18 vs. 21; Lk.19 vs. 8-9; Matt.21 vs. 28-32; Lk. 15 vs. 11-32; Isa. 55 vs. 7
  6. In justification and new birth - Jn. 3 vs. 3; Rom.3 vs. 23 – 24
  7. In entire sanctification - Heb.10 vs. 10
  8. In water baptism as a testimony to salvation - Matt. 28 vs. 19; Heb. 8 vs. 26 - 38; Matt. 3 vs. 16; Acts 2 vs. 41; Rom.6 vs. 3 – 14
  9. In the Lord’s supper - Matt.26 vs. 26-29; 1 Cor. 11 vs. 23 - 32; Exo. 12 vs. 27 - 51; Lk. 22 vs. 19
  10. In baptism of the Holy Spirit - John 7 vs. 32 - 39; Acts 2 vs. 2-13; Eph. 5 vs. 18; Rom. 15 vs. 16; Acts 10 vs. 46, 49; Acts 19 vs.1 - 6; Acts 2 vs. 39
  11. In the gifts and fruits of the Spirit - Rom. 12 vs. 6 - 8; 1 Cor. 12 vs. 1 - 12; Eph. 4 vs. 7 - 8, 11, 13 - 16; 1 Peter 4 vs. 9 - 11; Gal. 5 vs. 22 - 24
  12. In New Testament standard of gifts, offerings and tithes - 1 Sam. 9 vs. 5 - 10; 2 Kings 4 vs. 7 - 10; Mal. 3 vs.8 - 12; Lk. 21 vs. 1 - 4, Matt. 23 vs. 23; 1 Cor. 8 vs. 1 - 9; 9 vs.1 - 12
  13. In the biblical principles of marriage - Matt. 5 vs. 31 - 32, 19 vs. 9; Mark 10 vs. 1 - 12; Lk. 16 vs. 18; Rom. 7 vs.:2 - 3; Mal. 2 vs. 13 - 16; Gen. 2vs. 18; Matt. 19 vs. 4 - 6; 1 Cor. 7 vs. 10 – 11
  14. In divine healing and present-day miracles - Jas. 5 vs. 14 - 16; Isa. 53 vs. 4; Matt. 8vs. 8
  15. In the civil government - Rom. 13 vs.1 - 5; Exo. 22 vs. 28; 1 Pet. 2 vs. 17; Acts 5 vs. 29
  16. In the resurrection of the body - Rev. 20 vs. 5; John 11 vs. 25 - 27; Deut. 12; 1 Cor. 15
  17. In the second coming of Christ - 1 Thess. 4 vs. 16 - 17; 1 Jn 2 vs. 28 (NLT)
  18. In the tribulation - Matt.24 vs. 21 - 28; Rev. 6 vs. 7
  19. In eternal heaven and hell - Matt. 22 vs. 31 – 46
  20. In the judgement seat of Christ for saints' rewards - Matt. 16 vs. 27; 25 vs. 31 - 46; 1 Cor. 3 vs. 10 - 15; 2 Cor. 5 vs. 10; Rev. 22 vs. 12
  21. In the millennial reign of Christ - Dan. 7 vs. 13 - 14, 18; Rev. 20 vs. 1 - 5; Rev. 19 vs. 11 - 21
  22. In the final judgement and in the endless punishment of unbelievers - Rev. 20 vs. 10 – 15
  23. In the new heavens and the new earth - Isa. 65 vs. 17 - 18; Rev. 21 vs. 1 - 3; Rev. 21 vs. 1 - 3
  24. In the endless ages when God the Father of all shall be all in all - 1 Cor. 15 vs. 24 – 28

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