Assemblies of God is the mother of Pentecostal Movement in Nigeria. This is because this church was born out of strong desire by a group of believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongue. The church has no President and Founder. There was indeed a heavy outpour of the Holy Spirit upon these men, who later got affiliated with the Assemblies of God church in America.

It all began in 1930 when Mr. Augustus E. Wogu who was working with the Nigerian Marine Department at Port-Harcourt was converted from the Anglican Church to the Faith Tabernacle Church. His conversion was felt by everyone who came in contact with him. In January 1931, he visited home and preached to George M. Alioha who became his first convert. Other earlier converts were Ebenezer Eborgu, Augustus Asonye, Abel Nwoji, James Nwoji and Godwin Akwarandu. All mentioned here thus became the members of Faith Tabernacle Church. In 1934 a faction of the members of Faith Tabernachle led by Augustus E. Wogu, who could no longer remain with the church because of their belief in the doctrine of the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongue were asked to leave the church because of their belief.

Augustus O. Asonye was appointed the first pastor of the new church which was called “The Church of Jesus Christ”. In September 1934, the power of the Holy Spirit came upon this new group. In 1935 Rev. G. O. Oyakhilome – one time General Superintendent in Assemblies of God caught the fire and in 1937 he invited his Pastor – Augustus O. Asonye to help plant and pioneer the church at Ewu. The Church of Jesus Christ later sent Ebenezer Eborgu to Ewu as the first pastor. In 1939, the Church of Jesus Christ and another group holding in Calabar were affiliated with the Assemblies of God in the United States of America.

From 1941 – 1945, Pastor G. O. Oyakhilome was the leader of the churches planted at that time in Midwest region under the name “Church of Jesus Christ” and in 1945 the Midwest Area of Assemblies of God was inaugurated with A. E. Frink as the Supervisor. A. E. Frink worked in conjunction with other Missionaries from 1946 – 1950. Rev. G. O. Oyakhilome again became the leader as the Supervisor known as District Superintendent from 1951 – 1958. From 1958 – 1961, Rev. O. Okhirhia was the District Superintendent. Again from 1961 – 1969, Rev. G. O. Oyakhilome was the District Superintendent. Rev. F. O. Negbedion was the District Superintendent from 1969 – 1986. It was during his time that the Headquarter was moved from Ewu to Benin City in February 1984. The former Midwest District had its headquarters at Ewu in Ishan division for 43 years. In a Council Meeting held at Ewu in 1986, Rev. S. I. Oshoakpeme became the District Superintendent of the defunct Midwest district.

In 1990, under the leadership of Rev. S. I. Oshoakpeme, Edo District came into being from what used to be called the Midwest District. It was during this year that Edo District was divided into three administrative units – Edo, Delta and Anioma. Edo and Delta were called districts while Anioma was called an Area.

Assemblies of God church was first planted in the present Edo/Edo East Districts in the year 1956 with its first branch at Igun Street, Benin City. The branch was later moved to Eweka Memorial School owned by one Chief Akpata. It later relocated to the defunct Public School II along Upper Mission, Benin City. Finally it settled at Edo Avenue now known as Benin I branch of the Assemblies of God Edo District.

The first Pastor at the inception of the church was late Rev.Stephen Anebokhai from Ewu in present Esan district. The second pastor was Elisha Ebohon. He later handed over the church to late Rev. O. M. U. Okpo of Uyo District in Akwa Ibom State. It was during the ministry of Rev. O. M. U. Okpo that the later renowned preacher – Archbishop Benson Idahosa of Church of God Mission was converted. Rev. S. K. Okereke later took over as the next resident pastor.

It is worthy of note that the first Sunday School Superintendent at that time was Bro. John Idahosa – elder brother to late Archbishop Benson Idahosa. The late Archbishop Benson Idahosa was the second Sunday School Superintendent after the exit of his brother, John.

 

FOREMOST CHURCHES PLANTED IN EDO/EDO EAST DISTRICTS

In their order of establishment, Benin I church was planted in 1956 with Rev. Stephen Anebokhai as the first pastor. This was followed by Ogida I church in April 12 1972 with late Rev. Sam Aliote as the first Pastor. Benin II came next in October, 1973 with late Rev. C. Aniemeke as the first pastor. The next was Benin III with her first pastor as Rev. Emma Ikechuno and then Ogbe branch whose first pastor was late Rev. E. A. Omoluabi.

 

ADMINISTRATION OF THE DISTRICT

Rev. S. I. Oshoakpeme took over from Rev. F. Negbedion as the District Superintendent of the old Midwest District at a District Council held at Ewu in 1986. Before this time, the district under Rev. F. Negbedion acquired the District Headquarter at 1st Federal Road, Benin City. In 1990 it became necessary to split the district for administrative convenience and so Edo, Delta districts and Anioma Area were born out of the old Midwest district. (As a result of the carving out of Delta District and Anioma Area from the defunct Midwest district in 1990) Rev. S. I. Oshoakpeme became the first Edo District Superintendent in 1990. Members of the first Edo District cabinet were:

Rev. S. I. Oshoakpeme     -     District Superintendent
Rev. R. Ebuade                 -     Asst. District Superintendent
Rev. E. A. Omoluabi          -     District Secretary
Rev. C. U. Ataga               -     District Treasurer
Rev. R. O. Okhirhia           -     Member

Two other members of the old Midwest District were appointed to head the work in the newly created Delta district. Rev. E. T. Omole was appointed as the new Delta District Superintendent while Rev. W. O. Akakabota was appointed a member. The two units of Delta district and Anioma Area carved out from the then Midwest district started with Protem executives pending elections into various offices later in 1990.

 

GROWTH IN THE DISTRICT

Edo district took off with a total number of 227 branches and 231 ministers. It grew in lips and bounds both in attendance and in finance through the years under the leadership of Rev. S. I. Oshoakpeme and members of his cabinet include:

Rev. M. A. Otobo                 -     Asst. District Superintendent
Rev. E. A. Omoluabi             -     District Secretary
Rev. C. U. Ataga                  -     District Treasurer
Rev. A. O. A. Okakah           -     Member
Rev. D. Nnadi                       -     Member
Rev. (Pastor) I. O. Chiejina -     Member

By 1996, the number of Ministers had increased to 436 with 430 branches across the length and breath of the district. About this period, the district acquired a vast plot of land measuring 21.25 hectares at Ikhueniro village, off Benin/Agbor Road for a Camp ground. As a result of the tremendous growth evidenced in the increase in number of churches and members across the length and breath of the district, it became necessary again to split the district into three units for administrative convenience. As a result, one other district (Esan district) and an Area (Afenmai Area) were born. Esan district was inaugurated on 18th March, 1997 with Rev. M. A. Otobo appointed as the Chairman of the new district. Others appointed also were: Rev. E. O. Jatto – Secretary, Rev. D. I. Nnadi – Treasurer, Rev. S. O. Oyakhilome and Rev. M. I. Okoegbele as members respectively. At inauguration, Esan district had 41 ordained/retired ministers; 63 Licenciate Ministers; 32 Exhorters; 22 Christian workers and 11 Lay preachers. At inauguration, Esan also had 17 sections, 3 Groups with 86 non set-in-order churches and 67 set-in-order churches respectively. It had a total attendance of 25,300 members.

Afenmai Area was inaugurated on 20th March, 1997 and at inauguration had 8 sections, 2 Groups, 44 set-in-order churches, 42 non set-in-order churches with 10 ordained/retired ministers; 29 Licensed ministers; 19 Exhorters; 15 Christian workers and 14 Lay preachers with a total attendance of 10,111 members. Afenmai Area Counseling Committee members were as follows:

Rev. P. I. Ikhana - Chairman, Rev. P. E. Akpasubi - Secretary, Rev. G. O. Esechie - Treasurer, Rev. A. O. Imhanrobobhor and Rev. G. U. Anih as members.

Consequently, the total ministers in Edo district dropped to 170 while the number of churches stood at 192. Also, there were 17 sections and 4 groups during the period.

In 1999, Rev. A. O. A. Okakah was elected the District Superintendent. Other members of the presbytery include:

Rev. S. E. Oyaletor                 -     Asst. District Superintendent
Rev. (Pastor) I. O. Chiejina     -     District Secretary
Rev. C. U. Ataga                     -     District Treasurer
Rev. A. A. Edomwonyi             -     Member
Rev. D. A. Oseghale                -     Member
Rev. G. A. Ehiremen                -     Member

As the district continued to grow both physically and spiritually, it became necessary to split Edo district again and this finally gave birth to Edo East district in the year 2006. At the election conducted to choose leaders for Edo East district the following were elected:

Rev. C. U. Ataga             -     District Superintendent.
Rev. A. A. Edomwonyi     -     Asst. District Superintendent
Rev. E. I. Onaburekhan   -     District Secretary
Rev. J. Okoene                -     District Treasurer
Rev. G. A. Ehiremen        -     Member
Rev. E.A. Ijeoma             -     Member
Rev. Nkwele Mesue         -     Member

In February 14, 2006 the following presbyters were elected in Edo district to pilot the affairs of the district:

Rev. A. O. A. Okakah             -     District Superintendent.
Rev. S. E. Oyaletor                 -     Asst. District Superintendent
Rev. (Pastor) I. O. Chiejina    -     District Secretary
Rev. Rev. D. A. Oseghale      -     District Treasurer
Rev. O. F. Edogiawerie          -     Member
Rev. J. A. Okogele                 -     Member
Rev. P. T. Ekeasi                    -     Member

In November 13, 2006 another election was conducted to choose a Treasurer after the demise of Rev. D. A. Oseghale the then District Treasurer. At that meeting, Rev. J. A. Okogele, a member of the presbytery became the Treasurer while a new member – Rev. J. E. Ehigimetor had to be elected as member. Thus, the new presbytery were:

Rev. A. O. A. Okakah             -     District Superintendent.
Rev. S. E. Oyaletor                 -     Asst. District Superintendent
Rev. (Pastor) I. O. Chiejina    -     District Secretary
Rev. Rev. J. A. Okogele         -     District Treasurer
Rev. O. F. Edogiawerie           -     Member
Rev. P. T. Ekeasi                     -     Member
Rev. J. E. Ehigimetor              -     Member

In March 27 2009, Rev. J. A. Okogele at the Council meeting held in Benin I Church, became the District Superintendent. The following members were elected:

Rev. J. E. Ehigimetor             -     Asst. District Superintendent
Rev. (Pastor) I. O. Chiejina   -     District Secretary
Rev. P. T. Ekeasi                    -     District Treasurer
Rev. G. Chime                        -     Member
Rev. V. O. Igbinoba               -     Member
Rev. S. E. Oyaletor                -     Member


Faithfully Compiled by the District Secretary:

Rev. (Pastor) I. O. Chiejina