As preparations gather momentum for the 2026 annual Imeko Pilgrimage Convocation of our Church in Imeko, Ogun State, the newly appointed Chairman of the Convocation Committee, Special Superior Evangelist Akintola Julius has called on Celestians across the world to rally behind the committee and support the assignment, particularly through prayers, active participation and financial contributions.
In an exclusive conversation with Celestial Prerogative News, Special Superior Evangelist Akintola explained that the annual gathering at Imeko is more than an ordinary church programme. According to him, the December pilgrimage is rooted in the divine instruction received by the Founder Rev Pastor Prophet S.B.J. Oshoffa, that Celestians should gather at Imeko every December for prayers, thanksgiving and praises to God.
He therefore stressed that the responsibility of sustaining and advancing the Imeko pilgrimage should not be regarded as the duty of the committee alone, but as a collective responsibility of all members of Celestial Church of Christ worldwide. The Chairman made a strong appeal to Celestians everywhere to support the committee financially, noting that adequate resources are essential to achieving the objectives set for the 2026 convocation.
He explained that while the committee is committed to giving the convention a better organisation and maintaining the spiritual significance and standard established over the years, such objectives can only be effectively achieved with the cooperation and support of the church’s members.
According to him, financial contributions from individuals, parishes, districts, dioceses and other church structures will enable the committee to provide the necessary facilities, programmes, logistics, security arrangements and other requirements for a successful convocation. He appealed to Celestians not to see their contributions as donations to a committee, but as an investment in the continuation of a spiritual assignment handed down through the founder of the church.
S/S/E Akintola also acknowledged the testimonies and positive experiences recorded by Celestians during previous Imeko conventions. He said the present committee is determined to build upon the achievements of previous committees while introducing additional programmes that will make the 2026 gathering more spiritually enriching, organised, inclusive and impactful.
The proposed programmes will place emphasis on prayers, praises, thanksgiving, empowerment, seminars, evangelism and other activities designed to meet the spiritual and practical needs of members. One area the Chairman said the committee intends to give particular attention to is the youth of the church.
He described the youth as the future of the church and stressed the importance of deliberately preparing and engaging them in the life and mission of the church. According to him, special seminars and programmes will be organised to address issues affecting young Celestians, strengthen their faith and encourage them to become responsible ambassadors of the church.
He further emphasised the importance of evangelism, noting that Celestial Church of Christ is a Bible-believing church and that spreading the gospel must remain an important part of the church’s mission. The Chairman also indicated that the committee would pay attention to the welfare and security of children attending the Imeko gathering.
He explained that the large number of people expected at the annual pilgrimage makes proper organisation and security particularly important. The committee, he said, is therefore working towards putting appropriate measures in place to ensure that the convention is conducted in a safe, orderly and welcoming environment for everyone, including children and families. He further reiterated that the Imeko pilgrimage belongs to the entire Celestial Church of Christ and should therefore receive the collective support of Celestians around the world.
He called on individuals and church organisations to support the committee in whatever capacity they can, while giving particular emphasis to financial support because of the significant resources required to accomplish the committee’s objectives. He expressed confidence that with the cooperation of the church, the 2026 Imeko Pilgrimage Convocation can be a memorable gathering marked by prayer, praise, thanksgiving, evangelism, youth development, empowerment, unity and spiritual renewal.
The Chairman concluded with an appeal to all Celestians to rally around the assignment and support the committee as it works to sustain the vision associated with the Imeko pilgrimage. The message from the 2026 Convocation Committee is therefore clear: the Imeko pilgrimage is a collective spiritual responsibility.
As Celestians prepare for the December gathering, the committee is seeking the prayers, presence, cooperation and financial support of members worldwide to ensure that the sacred purpose of the annual pilgrimage continues to flourish.
For Special Superior Evangelist Akintola Julius and his team, the task is not simply about organising another annual convention. It is about preserving a spiritual heritage, strengthening the church, engaging the next generation and keeping alive the vision associated with Prophet S.B.J. Oshoffa and the Imeko gathering.
