Prophet Suru: Celestial Church of Christ's spiritual head is dead

Prophet Paul Suru Maforikan was appointed Pastor and spiritual leader of the Celestial Church of Christ following the death of Gilbert Oluwatosin Jesse in October 2003. He was accepted as leader only by one faction of the church, with another faction considering that Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa was the leader.

Maforikan was born on 19 September 1930 in Ajase, Benin, where his father had moved from Badagry, Nigeria. He was a member of Christ Apostolic Church before joining the Celestial Church Of Christ in 1948 shortly after its foundation. He followed the Pastor Founder S.B.J. Oschoffa to Nigeria. He was Oyo State Evangelist for 10 years before being appointed a Deputy Pastor in December 2002. He was proclaimed Pastor of the Celestial Church Of Christ Worldwide within two days of the death Gilbert Jesse.His appointment was made by the council of superiors of CCC Worldwide.

Report says the prophet died after a protracted illness. He is 86 years old.

May his soul rest in perfect peace.