WELCOME TO CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST LULI PARISH

THE FOUNDER
Rev.S.B.J.Oshoffa is the Founder of Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide.
Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa was a carpenter born in Dahomey, now called Benin in 1909 to Pa Osofa Senior and Mama Alake Iyafo after a long wait for a male child. In accordance with Methodist practice, Papa Oshoffa was blessed in the church and later christened as Samuel Bilewu. Samuel being a Christian name with biblical meaning “gift of God” and Bilewu being an indigenous name in Yoruba language as “Bi ile aye ba wu o kogbe” meaning “if the world pleases you , you can live” Papa Oshoffa was in the forest in Dahomey to purchase Ebony wood when he was called to found this Holy Church in 1947. By divine ordinance he is called "Prophet" and he is also called Reverend, Pastor, and Founder as he was the spiritual and supreme head of the church and was responsible through Jesus Christ for the church coming into being. As "The Pastor" he had ultimate and unchallengeable authority in doctrinal and disciplinary matters. Papa was 38 years when he was called to found Celestial Church, He worked miraculously and tirelessly for another 38 years before he was called to the “right hand of God Almighty”. He was a transparent and honest founder of this church. He was led by the spirit of God throughout his lifetime. He’s married with children both biological and spiritual.

ABOUT THE CHURCH
Celestial Church of Christ is a spiritual, united, indivisible worldwide Holy Church which came to the world from heaven by DIVINE ORDER on the 29th September, 1947 in Porto Novo, Republic of Benin through the founder of the church Reverend, Pastor, Founder Samuel Bilewu, Joseph Oshoffa. The church is well known with Parishes, all over the world had has its International Headquarters in Nigeria. God called Rev. Pastor Prophet Oshoffa on the day when a total Eclipse of the sun occurred in West Africa. He was in the forest of Dahomey(now Republic of Benin),to purchase Ebony wood being a carpenter and timber trader, just like his father. He was in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights, just as our Lord Jesus was led into the wilderness for forty days and forty nights(St.Matt4:1-11, Mark1:12-13, Luke4:1-13).Just as our Lord Jesus started his mission of redemption alone so also did our highly respected Rev, Pastor Founder S.B.J Oshoffa started alone on the 29th September, 1947.

THE SPIRITUAL MESSAGE
During the eclipse of the sun, the disappearance of light from the sun caused Papa Oshoffa some anxiety as he was alone in the forest. As he knelt down to pray he heard a voice saying Luli, Luli, Luli. (Luli means the Grace of Lord Jesus Christ). In the deep mystery of divine appearance, during prayer on the 19th September 1947, a winged Angel bathed in intense light, stood before him and the angel of the Lord delivered the following message to Papa Oshoffa in Egun language. “Peace be unto you! It is the wish of God to send you on an errand of preaching into the world. Many nominal Christians when confronted by difficulties and problems of this world, run after fetish priest and other power of darkness for all kinds of assistance. Consequently, on their death, they cannot see Christ because by their action, Satan has left his spiritual mark on them. To assist you in your work so that people may listen to the fact that God has sent you, divine and miraculous works of healing will be carried out by you in the name of Jesus Christ. The name of the church “Celestial Church of Christ” was revealed by the Holy Spirit through a prophet (Alexander Yanga) who was held in trance for seven days. He saw the name of the church in a rainbow and wrote it down in French as“Eglise Du Christianisme Celeste”.

ALTAR OF CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST
Altars in Celestial Church holds 7 burning candles. These candles are lit during Sunday and New Moon services and whenever there are important services in the church e.g. Marriage, end of the year’s services etc. These 7 lighted candles symbolises the seven spirits of God. Rev 4:5. An anointed Elder always lights the candle while the congregation sings Hymn No. 2 Yah Rah Sarah (Kindle the light divine from heaven above). The candle stand is placed inside the Inner altar which is referred to as Holy of Holy. Only the Pastor, Supreme Evangelist and 1 or 2 Superior Evangelists are allowed to sit in the inner altar. Inner Altar is within the main altar where all other qualified anointed Elders can sit according to their ranks. The whole church MUST be sanctified before every Sunday service and every elder going or sitting in the altar MUST be in spirit, sanctify themselves, and keep off from all impurities for 3 days prior to the Lord’s Day or any other service days when the main altar is used(Exodus 19: 10-15). All elders must keep the altar Holy as expected of any Priest ordained by God.