FROM VILLAGE ALTAR TO GLOBAL PULPIT: THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF CAC PRESIDENT SAMUEL O. OLADELE

FROM VILLAGE ALTAR TO GLOBAL PULPIT: THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF CAC PRESIDENT SAMUEL O. OLADELE

Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele, President of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Nigeria and Overseas, stands as one of the most enduring and influential Christian leaders to emerge from Nigeria’s Pentecostal movement, with a ministerial journey that spans over five decades of service, scholarship and church administration.

Born on Tuesday, August 30, 1955, at about 9:50 a.m., in Alágbagbà village, Odédá Local Government Area of Ogun State, Pastor Oladele was born to the late Pa Gabriel Oladele and Madam Alice Oladele. He attended Christ Apostolic Church Primary School, Alágbagbà, and entered the Christian ministry at the early age of 14, a decision that would define the trajectory of his life.

His ministerial formation began through local apprenticeship, popularly known as Tuúlè, under notable late church leaders—Pastor J. B. Akande of CAC Ìdí Arere, Ibadan, and Pastor J. O. Ogundiran of CAC Olúgbòde, Odò Ona, Ibadan. In 1972, he proceeded to the CAC Bible Training College, Akure, for formal theological education and graduated in 1974, having trained under the late Mrs O. O. A. Pearce and Pastor M. O. Faloye, both former principals of the institution.

Following his graduation, Pastor Oladele was retained as a tutor at the Bible Training College, becoming the youngest lecturer in the institution at just 19 years old. He served in this capacity until 1977, when he travelled to the United Kingdom for further studies at the International Bible Training Institute (IBTI) in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.

He returned to Nigeria in 1980 and joined the CAC Theological Seminary, Ile-Ife, as a tutor until 1983, when he embarked on another phase of overseas academic advancement in the United States of America. His theological training in the U.S. covered Berean Bible College, San Diego, California; Saint Louis Christian College, Florissant, Missouri; and the International Bible Institute and Seminary, Plymouth, Florida, where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Theology.

Pastor Oladele was ordained a Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church on Monday, March 17, 1980. Upon his return from overseas studies, he served as Assembly Pastor at CAC Oke-Imole, Ijeshatedo, under Itire District in Lagos, and later at CAC Àgbókojó, Ibadan, Oyo State, between 1988 and 1991. In 1989, he participated in the Haggai Leadership Training Programme in Singapore, further strengthening his leadership and administrative capacity.

In November 1991, he was promoted to the rank of District Superintendent, serving at CAC Sanngo District, Ibadan, and later at CAC Oke-Igbala District, Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State. His steady rise in church administration continued in 1996, when he was elevated to Assistant General Superintendent, and in 2002, he became Chairman of the CAC Eleta Districts Coordinating Council, Ibadan.

From January 2004 to 2014, Pastor Oladele served as Chairman of the CAC Oke-Ado Districts Coordinating Council, Ibadan. In 2014, he was elevated to the position of General Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, a role that further placed him at the heart of the church’s national leadership.

On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele assumed office as the 8th President of Christ Apostolic Church worldwide, marking a defining moment in the history of the church and the culmination of decades of faithful service across multiple levels of ministry.

He is married to Mrs Susanna Kehinde Oladele (née Oláwadé), and their union is blessed with children and grandchildren, reflecting a family deeply rooted in Christian values and service.