General overseer of the Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM) Obiora Ezekiel has died at the age of 78, his church announced on Sunday.
Coordinator, CPM Imo State, Rev. John Ezeh, who is also a member of the board of trustees, announced the death in a statement posted on the church’s Facebook page.
The statement read, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am saddled with a responsibility to all sons, daughters, friends and lovers of Christian Pentecostal Mission International (CPM) to make an official announcement by the authority vested on me by the National/International Coordinator of CPM International, that our father, mentor, our General, our Field marshal, the man that saw the vision, the man that began the race, the man on whose shoulder we’re all climbing, the Founder and General Overseer of Christian Pentecostal Mission International, REV. DR. O. EZEKIEL, has gone to be with the LORD just a few days ago.
“Before his departure, he had been telling us to keep the vision alive, and the fire burning: that the mantle is with us; the glory is with us while he goes to wait for us to come over when the time is ripe.”
Ezeh said the church’s founder had left his mantle with them “to move CPM to the next level.”
President Muhammadu Buhari, in a condolence message released by his spokesman Femi Adesina, said he believed Ezekiel had demonstrated love, peace and joy in pursuing his passion for soul winning.
He added that the deceased had also worked assiduously for the growth and spread of the gospel within and outside Nigeria, holding outreaches.
The president noted Ezekiel’s role in raising many spiritual sons, who had also moved on to mentor pastors, evangelists, and teachers, commending his vision for founding the Pentecostal Christian Fellowship (PFN).
President Buhari called for prayers for the family of the departed, particularly his wife and spiritual partner, Rev. Mercy Ezekiel, praying that the Almighty God would receive the soul of the renowned evangelist.
