The spiritual children of Rev Dr Tunde and Rev Mrs Ebun Joda came together on Sunday (February 28) to honour their parents at Founders' Day 2010. Venue was the auditorium of Christ Chapel International Churches, Joy Centre, in the Surulere area of Lagos.
On hand to celebrate the man they love to call "the coach," and his wife, forever fondly known as Sister Ebun, were many former members of CCIC who have since "graduated" from the Joda school to higher heights in ministry and various other callings. Conspicuous among them was Bishop John Osa-Oni, a Joda protege, who is General Overseer of Vineyard Christian Centre on Osolo way, Ajao Estate, Lagos. He joined in cutting the celebration cake.
Of course, all the centres of the church from across Nigeria, were fully represented at the dinner, with the overflow crowd running into hundreds. There were tributes galore verbally delivered at the dinner and many more published in the commemorative brochure. One thread that ran through the tributes was the pivotal role the teaching and mentoring by the man and woman of God played in moulding them into the godly and successful men and women they have become. It was also generally acknowledged that there are very few churches and ministries, if any, where you won't find a Chapelite in a key role.
Dr Joda, who returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom, where he had been holidaying with the family, his first vacation in about 25 years, was all smiles throughout the three-hour event. He successfully resisted the urge to do what he's so widely acknowledged for, teach, choosing instead to thank his doting children (including this reporter) for the honour done him.
Founders' Day is an annual event in CCIC, but Dr Joda's peripatetic apostolic calling had made it rare to have him and his UK-based wife in attendance over the years.
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