Joseph Olanrewaju Obembe: Quintessential preacher (1956-2019)

Archbishop Joseph Olanrewaju Obembe was the Presiding Archbishop of El-Shaddai Bible Churches World-wide. He was born in 1956. He went to Yaba Government Technical School now known as (Federal Technical College). He became born again in 1979 at Foursquare Church. Shomolu. He later became a dynamic youth leader under the then Assistant Pastor, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo in the Church.

He pioneered Foursquare Church, Okota from his residence in Ire-Akari Estate, Isolo in Lagos. After the Okota chuch had grown a bit and had employed a Senior Pastor, he moved to Jakande Estate to pioneer another Foursquare Church at Oke Afa, Isolo. The Jakande Estate Church had grown and is now a district Headquarter Church.

He was called into ministry by the Lord in 1983 while he was working in Lagos State Development and Properties Company (LSDPC). He was involved in the construction of Jakande Low Cost Housing in Amuwo Odofin and Oke-Afa Jakande House Estate before he ventured into the private construction business.

He registered and started Church of First Born (El-Shaddai Life Ministries Inc. in 1983.

He was a qualified Engineer, admitted into the Associate Membership of the Institute of Engineers (London) in August 1985. He answered the full call of God in April 1986.

He earned with distinction, three doctorate degrees from three notable theological institutions
He was later led by the Holy Spirit to start a literature Ministry which pioneered the printing of Amplified English Bible locally for the first time in Africa in 1987.

The El-Shaddai Bible Church which began from a humble beginning of seven people in a Nursery School has grown extensively through divine enablement to affect people of diverse tongues, cultures, and civilization. He had a weekly “Hour of Empowerment” television programme that brought tremendous healing, deliverance, miracle, and blessings to many homes and lives.

He was a former Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos Chapter (2002 – 2005) and held other positions.

Obembe wrote many books including Breakthrough Prayers, The Miracle of Praise Divine Cure among others.

The wife, Oluremi Ayotunde Obember described him as brother Joseph, a man that knew his God and indeed did great exploits with his knowledge of his God and the exploits turned Brother Joseph into Archbishop Joseph Olanrewaju Obembe that was known and celebrated.

The General Overseer, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (world-wide), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye described Obembe as a great man of God, a visionary leader, a powerful preacher of the Word of God, one of the great vessels of our time, a dear servant of God with passion and fire, a true man of God that demonstrated living peaceably with all men, a great inventor reputed to have pioneered the printing of Amplified English Bible among others who gave his best.

Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners described Obembe as a man who had sweet spirit, while the Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Dr. Mike Okonkwo described him as a man of incredible gift to the kingdom while the National President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Felix Omobude said Obembe lived an impactful life with immense contributions to the body of Christ.

Lagos State Chairman, PFN, Bishop Olusola Ore described Obembe as a Pentecostal hero that shone like a thousand stars in the dark horizon of leadership lethargy.

The former General Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Wilson and Rev. Mrs. Yinka Badejo called him a once friend and co-labourer in the vineyard of the Lord while Mathhew Ashimolowo of KICC described Obembe as a man of great faith, a giver, man with unusual grace, a unifier, a good man who finished well…

who served the Lord with all his heart and mind.
Presiding Bishop, Rhema Christian Church & Tower, Bishop Taiwo Akinola described Obembe as one who was a pastor of pastors, a father of fathers and a spiritual leader to many leaders as well as a soldier of the cross.

A big vacuum has been created in the fellowship of the Lord’s army generals here below by the departure of Obembe.