The Church is situated
at Ise - Junction, Oke’ kere, Ikere Ekiti. It was founded in 1929 and organized
in 1932 during the pastorate of Rev J. O Falua.
Founding fathers where
late Madam Janet Duduyemi Remilekun, late Merrrs Mose Jaiyeola, David popoola,
Abraham Onileaja, George Elegbeleye, Joseph Adewale, Simeon Owa, Ezekiel
Arifayan, Emmanuel Asho, Madam Janet Iyalode and Madam Mary Onileaja.
The circumstances of its
establishment where that one of the founders of the church, late Madam Janet
Duduyemi Remilekun was a member of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Ikere – Ekiti.
Her mother died and she wanted to give her pagan mother a befitting Christian
burial. Due to her position as Matron for the church of band group, she
requested for the church drum during the burial of her mother and it got
spoilt. She was asked to repair of pay for the drum and she felt like she was
insulted and she left St. Peter’s Anglican Church for some reasons not
acceptable to them. Amoung those people were late Moses Jayeola and late
Abraham Onileaja. They started having meeting and later changed to worshipping
at Chief Josaya Olute’s residence but were yet to decide whether to join
Methodist or Baptist Church. It was then that Late George Elegbeleye went to
Pokoto in Abeokuta, Ogun State to know more about Baptist Doctrine. At Abeokuta
he was directed to Rev J. O. Osayomi at Ilesha who later came for evangelism at
Ikere. From there, he planted FIRST
BAPIST CHURCH, IKERE IN 1929.
The enrolment
statistics in its inception were early converts of about eighty four (84) that
were baptized at Etiapon stream which has now increased to two hundred and
seventy five (275) members.
The major historical
and laudable event since establishment is that, this is the first time in
history that Oba, the Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom and his second in command, Chief
Sapetu of Ikere Kingdom emerges from thesane church, First Baptist Church,
Ikere.
The pastorate Ministry
of the Church, past and present are as follows:
The first Pastor of First Baptist Church, Ikere was
Rev Micheal Bamidele (1930). He was the first person to establish Primary
School in 1931 with some pupils up to standard three. After the departure of
Pastor Gabriel W. Alofe, Pastor J. O Faula became the Pastor of the church. It
was during the time of Pastor Falua that primary school advanced to standard
four. He was the first person that studied at Ogbomosho Theological Seminary
posted to Ikere Baptist Church. He spent only a year and after he left the
church, the church was without a Pastor for some years.
The
teachers in the Primary School and some devout members of the church took over
the management of the affairs of the church until Pastor S. O Obakeye assumed
duty as the Pastor of the Church in 1943. As soon as he left the church, he was
succeeded by Pastor Adeniyi in 1945. He spent just a year because of his
illness.
After
the departure of Pastor Adeniyi, Reverend J. O. Ajetomobi became the Pastor of
the Church on 13thJanuary, 1946. He stayed for a short period of time and left
for Ebenezer Baptist Church, Ikare Akoko on 13th January 1947. It was during
that time, Pastor J. O. Olagunju pastured the church between 1947and 1949. Rev
J. O. Atomobi came back in 1950 and left in 1958. Before he left, the
foundation lying of the presence Church Auditorium was laid and construction of
the church building till roofing level was nearly completed before he left.
Thereafter,
Rev W. S. Jayeola, a native of Ikere Pastored the Church between 1959 and 1989.
In the past, during the time of Rev W. S. Jayeola, it was the practice of many
Baptist churches in Yoruba land to appoint some anchor-person to assist their
Pastors in directing religious affairs and growth of their respective churches.
This church was then not an exception to the practice which became defunct in
the Nigerian Baptist Convention shortly before Rev. Dr. E. A. Dahunsi became
the first Nigerian to serve as the president of Convention in 1964. Rev (DR)
Taye Adamolekun succeeded Rev W. S. Jayeola on 1st August, 1989. It was during
his time that Ogo Oluwa Baptist Church was established in Mooshod road on
4thAugust 1991, while Oore – Ofe Baptist Church was established at Ayetoro
Ikere Ekiti on 4thAugust, 1996.
` When
Rev Taye Adamolekun left the church after serving for eight years, Rev (Dr) S.
O. Ayodele was called to assist the church pending the time the church would
have a new pastor and he agreed to work without any wages whatsoever; Ogo Oluwa
Baptist Church was led by Deacon D. Abe before Pastor Adamolekun came to pastor
the church while Deacon J. A. Ojo handled the administration of Oore – Ofe
Baptist Chruch.
`When Rev Ayodele knew that there was too much of
load for the only deacon in first Baptist Church was too much, he ordained
second set of Deacons and Deaconesses for the church on 13thJune 1998.
After
thorough screening, Rev Moses Awotoro was called to Pastor First Baptist Church
Ikere – Ekiti. He led the church to record some impressive achievements one of
which was the establishment of Baptist High School along Ise Road. During Rev
Moses Awotoro’s Pastorate, the church choir was increased from one to three:
1. Church
Choir now; Glorious singers
2. Adult
Choir now; Golden Singers
3. Junior
Choir now; Gracious Singers
He left in 2008 after
pasturing the church for about nine (9) years.
After
the departure of Rev. Moses Awotoro, a search committee headed by late Mr. S.
A. Ayodele was constituted by the executive council of the church. The
committee succeeded in identifying three Pastors. The three of them were
thoroughly screened before Rev. Jacob Omojola, a native of Oyin – Akoko in Ondo
state assumed duty as the pastor of the church on 1st March, 2009.
As soon as he assumed duty in pasturing the church,
he revealed his visions including; preservation of lives and preparation of
church members for Christ’s second coming, having members of the church
becoming top in all places, building of modern mission house, big modern church
Auditorium, and to ensure that peace reigns amoung members of the church and
people of Ikere – Ekiti. He has strongly pursued the vision from his resumption
date.
Since
Rev J. O Omojola has assumed the pastorate of the Church, there has been
increase in new converts, increase in attendance of the weekly programs like
bible study, Prayer meetings and other services of the church. God has used
Pastor to establish some spiritually enriching programs like
Widows Retreat
3 days mighty Hands of God program coming upon the
three days of month
Church Workers hour of refreshing every last Monday
of the month
Church worker’s prayer, every Sunday between 8:00am
and 8:20am
