Celestial Church mourns as three pastors die suddenly on new year day

The Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) is in mourning following the deaths of three notable clerics on January 1, 2025.

The loss of Evangelist Oladotun Elusanmi, Shepherd Olumuyiwa Michael, and Assistant Venerable Superior Evangelist Johnson Olajuwon has left the church community in shock and sorrow.

Evangelist Elusanmi served as Shepherd at the Orisun Ayo Parish in Ilupeju, while Shepherd Michael led the Christ Testimony Parish in Ikorodu. Prophet Olajuwon held the esteemed position of spiritual head at the Celestial Church of Christ, Saint S.B.J. Oshoffa Cathedral, the church’s International Headquarters in Ketu, Lagos.

Superior Evangelist Kayode Ajala, Secretary of the Pastor in Council and Head of Media and Publicity for CCC worldwide, confirmed Olajuwon’s death through an official announcement on the church’s website.

“The death has been announced of Assistant Venerable Superior Evangelist (Prophet) Johnson Olajuwon (JJ). He was, until his death, the prophet of the Celestial Church of Christ, Saint S.B.J. Oshoffa Cathedral, International Headquarters, Ketu,” Ajala wrote.

He added, “The suddenness of his passing has left many in shock, as he had read the second lesson at the crossover service and was bubbling with life until his death early on the first day of the new year, 2025.”

Members of the church have expressed their grief on various social media platforms, paying tribute to the late pastors. Shepherd Olatosho Oshoffa of the CCC International Headquarters described Olajuwon as a “dedicated, loyal, and truthful servant of God” in a Facebook post.

The Christ Testimony Parish in Ikorodu confirmed Michael’s passing on Wednesday morning via its Facebook page, while Elusanmi’s death was announced on the Instagram account “Celestialgeneration.”

Amid speculations about the coincidence of the deaths, Ajala cautioned against attributing any superstitious meaning to the events, emphasizing that such interpretations contradict Christian faith.

“Death is a necessary end, and it will come at the appropriate time for everyone. People die every day. If three people die in a church as large as Celestial, coincidentally on the same day, I don’t understand why people are making a big deal of it,” Ajala said.

He continued, “The Bible says there is a time to be born and a time to die; a time to laugh and a time to cry. People shouldn’t attach superstitious meaning to their deaths. We all have our time to go.”

Ajala also extended condolences to the families of the deceased, assuring them of the church’s support.

“The leadership of the church commiserates with the families. As a church, we will continue to pray against sudden death. The church is in mourning. We are deeply pained by this loss, but at the same time, people should not attach any superstitious meaning to it,” he concluded.