Good News Baptist Church, Surulere, Lagos marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its Platinum Jubilee anniversary.
The momentous occasion culminated in a Thanksgiving service held on February 4, 2024 at the church auditorium.
This also saw the renaming of the multipurpose hall of the newly constructed educational and administration building in honour of Deacon Gamaliel Onosode.
The Guest preacher of the day, Rev. Sunday O. Oke, President, Charis Equip Foundations, delivered an inspiring message, titled: “The Silver Trumpet and Kingdom Advancement,” drawn from Numbers 10:1-10.
Oke exhorted the congregation to press forward and not relent in their pursuit of God’s purpose, emphasising that while the church’s history is rich with testimonies, it should serve as a springboard for greater endeavours in advancing God’s kingdom.
He said: “Forty years is a sacred number and should not be taken for granted.
“It is a number of exodus, new beginnings, deliverance and transition unto newness.
“All of these should revitalise the church on all sides.
“The church should be regenerated and continually stand in God’s presence.”
Oke said as a Christian soldier, you should be ready to be summoned to worship, instruct and advance towards the Promised Land.
During the service, Dr. Christopher Onosode read the testimony by the late Deacon G.O. Onosode, titled: “The Beginnings of Good News Baptist Church,” earlier published in 2006, which recounted the humble origins of the church’s inception when the first act of corporate worship was held on February 1, 1984 with only three residents of the Onosode household gathered for a prayer meeting.
The church began as Adelabu Street Baptist Church under the leadership of Deacon Onosode and later Pastor and now Rev. Kayode Ilupeju and has led the church to grow exponentially.
The article chronicled the first set of members and leaders of the assembly.
In 1994, the church was renamed Good News Baptist Church.
In his own testimony, titled: “Learning by Doing: A Foundation Member’s Chronicle in GNBC,” Deacon O. K. Belo said that the 40 years he has spent in the church so far represents the longest period he has spent with any human organisation except his genetic family.
Belo, who was also the first church secretary and the first and only Chairman of the Building Committee of the church, noted the evolution of various arms of the church such as Sunday School, Discipleship Programmes, Home Fellowship Ministry, Couples Fellowship, Single Parents Fellowship amongst others.
He said: “It is fit and proper to celebrate the vision that God gave to Deacon Gamaliel and Mrs. Susan Onosode 40 years ago today that has continued to grow and develop in the hands and lives of a new generation.”
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Good News Baptist Church has been deeply committed to missions since 1995, both locally and internationally, and remains dedicated to fostering spiritual growth, community, and purpose among its members.
The Platinum Jubilee celebration also featured various events, including an Anniversary Prayer Meeting, Donation and Opening of Community Projects, and a Variety Evening to commemorate the church’s rich legacy and vision for the future.
