Rev. Dr. Noah Ayanlere
Minister
19, Mogaji street, Ijeshatedo
08083850669
About Church
It all began in February 1967 when Deacon E. O. Oluleye (presently at Emmanuel Baptist Church llorin, Kwara State), was saddled with the responsibility of organising a Baptist Church at Ijeshatedo. The Evangelism Department of Gospel Baptist Church, Ebute-metta met on Monday 17th February 1967 and appointed Deacon E. O. Oluleye as the Church Leader while Mr. D. A. Akande (now late Deacon Akande) and Mr. G. A. Akinyemi were both appointed as his assistants.
On February 21st 1967, the entire members of the Evangelism Department came to Ijeshatedo for the first time and worshipped under a tree in front of Late Mr. Ogunlana’s house together with Late Madam Deborah Oloruntowo and Mr. Adewale being the first set of people to become members of the church.
At the following Sunday, the 28th February 1967 Deacon E. O. Oluleye, Late Deacon D. A. Akande, Mr. G. A. Akinyemi assumed the duty of preaching from house to house with the cooperation of Late Mr. Adewale. Late Oloruntowo gave the church a room which was used as a worship centre. In 1968, the Evangelism Department and two delegates together with their representatives who were in charge of the preaching station met with the chief of Ijeshatedo, at the first instance, they appealed to the chief for allocation of landed property to the church at any given amount.
The church continued to grow from strength to strength and members were added. Then the thought for the purchase of a landed property arose again. The team from Gospel Baptist Church, Ebute-metta, Late Mr. Adewale and one Alhaji Aguntasolo went to speak about the need of land to one man known as Baba Yaba. After some time, The Evangelism Department of Gospel Baptist Church along with Late Mr. Adewale and Alhaji Aguntasolo visited Baba Yaba again, who later informed them that a plot of land was being sold for N40. Few days later, the amount for the landed property was paid to Baba Yaba by the Evangelism Department of Gospel Baptist Church Ebute-metta and a portion of land was allocated.
Deacon. E. O. Oluleye was transferred to Ilorin in 1969. Brother J. A. Oguniran (now Bishop) was appointed to replace him as the Church Leader, assisted by: late Deacon. D. A. Akande as an assistant to Late Madam Oloruntowo (the first church treasurer), while Mr. G. A. Akinyemi and Mr. O. Oluajo were the first church secretary and the first choir master respectively.
ORGANIZATION
The church, Gospel Baptist Church Ijeshatedo, Lagos was officially organised into a full-fledged member of the Nigerian Baptist in 1973 by Revd. E. A. Atilade (Now Arch-Bishop) with 36 Baptised members.
CHANGE OF ASSOCIATION
During the 1974 Annual Baptist Convention in Lagos State. The issue of Gospel Baptist Association’s demanding for Gospel Baptist Conference was presented for discussion and was totally rejected by the convention family. The rejection of this proposal made the chairman of the Gospel Baptist Association, Bishop E. A. Atilade, to announce the breaking away of the Gospel Baptist Association from the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
CHANGE OF NAME
Sequel to the foregoing, Gospel Baptist Church, Ijeshatedo changed her name to First Baptist Church, Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos. The name was officially changed and published in the Daily Times of Nigeria of 1st of June 1974 on page 18, also published in the Nigerian Baptist Magazine of November 1974.
THE CALL OF PASTOR AND MRS. S. B. AKINLAWON
The leaders and the elders in the church sensed the need for a full time pastor. This led to the call of pastor and Mrs. S. B. Akinlawon, Late Dn. D. A. Akande handed over the church to pastor Akinlawon in 1974. He was inducted on the 9th February 1975.
THE CHURCH AUDITORIUM AND PASTORIUM
The building committee under the chairmanship of Mr. S. A. Oke saw the need for a good worship auditorium and pastorium. Therefore in 1975 the church pastorium was formerly dedicated to the glory of God and to the use of God’s servants. Meanwhile the church auditorium was already under construction. In order to have a befitting building, a launching service was organised which took place on Saturday 6th March 1976 at 3:00pm. The guest preacher of the day was Revd J. A. Olaniyan, the Undershepherd of Union Baptist Church, Lagos.
ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER PASTOR S. B. AKINLAWON
The societies formed under Pastor S. B. Akinlawon were as follows: Omo Ogun Kristi, Ore Jesu, Ireti-ogo (now divided into two namely; Ifelodun and Bomode Oku), Itesiwaju, Egbe Agba, now Ibukun, Egbe Agba Obinrin, now known as Ore-ore, Youth fellowship and Opo Kristi Okunrin.
ORDAINED INTO FULL MINISTRY
Pastor S. B. Akinlawon was ordained as a Reverend in November 1977. His leadership witnessed the formation of the First Preaching Station called Festac Baptist Church, 23, Festac Road in 1977, led by Dn. J. A. Adebayo and assisted by late Madam Fatunbi. The church was organised in 1982.
THE UNDERSHEPHERD – REVD. (DR) NOAH ADEMOLA AYANLERE
The office of the pastor was left vacant when Rev. J. O. Akinola went on retirement. Deacon Timothy O. Ogungbire was recalled back from Ebenezer Baptist Church 32, Sesan Moyegun Street, Ijeshatedo, to lead the church. He assumed the leadership role in 1997. In 1998, pastor search committee of six persons was constituted and saddled with the responsibility of getting a pastor. The committee comprised of Mr. Wale Kolawole, Mr. D. D. Dada, Dn. P. S. Omotosho, Mrs. Felicia Bolarinwa, Mrs. Adeniji and Mr. Isumanu. They met with the current Undershepherd; Pastor Noah Ademola Ayanleke Ayanlere who was called into the church’s pastorate.
Pastor Noah Ademola Ayanlere assumed pastorate of Church on 14th June 1999 and was inducted on 4th September 1999.
The ministry has been greatly supported by Pastor Dorcas Olaronke Ayanlere, who became the associate pastor of the church in June 2001.
There have been outstanding achievements steeped in souls winning for Christ, exemplary management, justice and forthright leadership of First Baptist Church, Ijeshatedo.