Gilbert Oluwatosin Jesse
Encyclopedia
Gilbert Oluwatosin Jesse (17 May 1937 – 7 October 2003) was Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Celestial Church of Christ
(CCC) from 30 December 2002 until his death.
He succeeded Philip Hunsu Ajose
, who had died on 2 March 2001.
There was a dispute over his leadership, with another group declaring that the Reverend Emmanuel Oschoffa
, son of the church founder Samuel Oshoffa
, was the leader.
Following Jesse's death, his faction declared that Superior Evangelist Paul Suru Maforikan
was the new spiritual leader of the church.
Local Government of Ondo State, Nigeria.
He was educated at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, then Lagos City College, Yaba, Lagos graduating with his West African School Certificate in 1958.
He then obtained a job as Clerical Officer at the Prime Ministers Office, Race Course, Lagos State, and then with the Federal Ministry of Establishment.
Jesse retired in 1972 and started work in electronic sales and then vehicle sales.
In 1969, He established a parish in Ikorodu Road, Fadeyi, which he led until 1979.
In 1975 he became a full-time worker with the Celestial Church Of Christ.
In 1979 he set up the Celestial Church Of Christ in Ojota Parish 1.
In 1988 he was appointed Most Senior Evangelist, and was posted as Ogun State Evangelist.
In 1990 he was transferred back to Lagos where he was given charge of the Surulere and Ijeshatedo Districts and of the Shepherd Celestial Church Of Christ, Olajuwon Tejuosho Parish.
Jesse was appointed Chairman of the International Revival Committee, and then became Reverend and Superior Evangelist, Head of Celestial Church Of Christ, Nigeria Diocese.
On 30 December 2002 he was appointed Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Celestial Church Of Christ by the CCC World Council Of Pastor’s Representatives.
The announcement was made the next day a press briefing at the CCC Tejuosho Parish in Lagos, which was attended by all the senior members of the Celestial Church Of Christ.
This followed after Emmanuel Oschoffa
, senior evangelist and son of the founding pastor S.B.J. Oschoffa was appointed the church's worldwide leader on 25 December 2002 by the board of trustees. The leader of the CCC's Shepherds Council, which had appointed Jesse, stated that this council's decision superseded all other appointments
Jess died on 7 October 2003 after less than a year in office.
Even in death, controversy continued, with members of the Burial Committee disagreeing over which company should handle his funeral.
Celestial Church of Christ
The Celestial Church of Christ is an African Initiated Church founded by the Rev. Samuel Biléhou Joseph Oschoffa on 29 September 1947 in Porto-Novo, Benin...
(CCC) from 30 December 2002 until his death.
He succeeded Philip Hunsu Ajose
Philip Hunsu Ajose
Philip Hunsu Ajose was the third Pastor of the Celestial Church of Christ , succeeding Alexander Abiodun Adebayo Bada on 2 October 2000 and being formally declared leader on 24 December 2000....
, who had died on 2 March 2001.
There was a dispute over his leadership, with another group declaring that the Reverend Emmanuel Oschoffa
Emmanuel Oschoffa
Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa is accepted as pastor and spiritual leader of the Celestial Church of Christ by many of the church members, who consider that he succeeded the third pastor Philip Hunsu Ajose who died in March 2001...
, son of the church founder Samuel Oshoffa
Samuel Oshoffa
Samuel Bilehou Joseph Oshoffa was the founder of the Celestial Church of Christ after reportedly resurrecting people from the dead. He founded the church in 1947 after being lost for three months near Porto-Novo in Benin. The church now has its main offices in Nigeria...
, was the leader.
Following Jesse's death, his faction declared that Superior Evangelist Paul Suru Maforikan
Paul Suru Maforikan
Paul Suru Maforikan was appointed Pastor and spiritual leader of the Celestial Church of Christ following the death of Gilbert Oluwatosin Jesse in October 2003....
was the new spiritual leader of the church.
Early years
Jesse was born on 17 May 1937 in Mahin, Ilaje – Ese OdoEse Odo
Ese Odo is a Local Government Area in Ondo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Igbekebo.It has an area of 762 km² and a population of 154,978 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 352....
Local Government of Ondo State, Nigeria.
He was educated at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, then Lagos City College, Yaba, Lagos graduating with his West African School Certificate in 1958.
He then obtained a job as Clerical Officer at the Prime Ministers Office, Race Course, Lagos State, and then with the Federal Ministry of Establishment.
Jesse retired in 1972 and started work in electronic sales and then vehicle sales.
Church career
Jesse joined the Celestial Church Of Christ in 1953 at National Headquarters, Makoko, Yaba, Lagos State.In 1969, He established a parish in Ikorodu Road, Fadeyi, which he led until 1979.
In 1975 he became a full-time worker with the Celestial Church Of Christ.
In 1979 he set up the Celestial Church Of Christ in Ojota Parish 1.
In 1988 he was appointed Most Senior Evangelist, and was posted as Ogun State Evangelist.
In 1990 he was transferred back to Lagos where he was given charge of the Surulere and Ijeshatedo Districts and of the Shepherd Celestial Church Of Christ, Olajuwon Tejuosho Parish.
Jesse was appointed Chairman of the International Revival Committee, and then became Reverend and Superior Evangelist, Head of Celestial Church Of Christ, Nigeria Diocese.
On 30 December 2002 he was appointed Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Celestial Church Of Christ by the CCC World Council Of Pastor’s Representatives.
The announcement was made the next day a press briefing at the CCC Tejuosho Parish in Lagos, which was attended by all the senior members of the Celestial Church Of Christ.
This followed after Emmanuel Oschoffa
Emmanuel Oschoffa
Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa is accepted as pastor and spiritual leader of the Celestial Church of Christ by many of the church members, who consider that he succeeded the third pastor Philip Hunsu Ajose who died in March 2001...
, senior evangelist and son of the founding pastor S.B.J. Oschoffa was appointed the church's worldwide leader on 25 December 2002 by the board of trustees. The leader of the CCC's Shepherds Council, which had appointed Jesse, stated that this council's decision superseded all other appointments
Jess died on 7 October 2003 after less than a year in office.
Even in death, controversy continued, with members of the Burial Committee disagreeing over which company should handle his funeral.