The Celestial Church of Christ has been plunged into mourning following the deaths of three prominent clerics on New Year’s Day 2025.
The clerics, identified as Evangelist Oladotun Elusanmi, Shepherd Olumuyiwa Michael, and Assistant Venerable Superior Evangelist Johnson Olajuwon, passed away on January 1, leaving the church community in shock.
Elusanmi served as the Shepherd at Orisun Ayo Parish, Ilupeju, while Michael was the Shepherd In-Charge of Christ Testimony Parish, Ikorodu. Olajuwon held the position of prophet at the CCC Saint S.B.J. Oshoffa Cathedral, International Headquarters, Ketu. All three parishes are based in Lagos State.
Members of the CCC have taken to social media to express their sorrow and pay tribute to the deceased clerics.
Superior Evangelist Kayode Ajala, the Secretary of the Pastor in Council and Head of Media and Publicity for CCC worldwide, confirmed Olajuwon’s passing in a statement shared on the church’s official website.
Ajala noted, “The death has been announced of Assistant Venerable Superior Evangelist (Prophet) Johnson Olajuwon (JJ). He was, until his death, the prophet of the Celestial Church of Christ, Saint S.B.J. Oshoffa Cathedral, International Headquarters, Ketu. The suddenness of his passing has left many in shock, as he had read the second lesson at the cross-over service and was bubbling with life until his death early on the first day of the new year, 2025.”
In a tribute on Facebook, the Shepherd of the CCC International Headquarters, Ketu, Olatosho Oshoffa, described Olajuwon as a committed and faithful servant of God.
The CCC Christ Testimony Parish, Ikorodu, announced Shepherd Olumuyiwa Michael’s death on its Facebook page, while news of Evangelist Oladotun Elusanmi’s passing was shared on the Instagram account “Celestialgeneration.”
Responding to speculation surrounding the deaths, Ajala discouraged any superstitious interpretations, emphasizing that such beliefs were contrary to Christian faith.
He said, “Death is a necessary end, and it will come at the appropriate time for everyone. People die every day. If three people die in a church as large as Celestial, coincidentally on the same day, I don’t understand why people are making a big deal of it. Everyone has a time to come and a time to go. The Bible says there is a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to laugh and a time to cry.”
Ajala extended condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of the church’s support during this difficult time.
“The leadership of the church commiserates with the families. As a church, we will continue to pray against sudden death. Even when people don’t die, we pray against sudden death. The church is in mourning. We are deeply pained by this loss. But at the same time, people should not attach any superstitious meaning to it,” he added.
