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Post-Humous Birthday: Checkout Rare Throwback Photos Of Late Iconic Clergyman Benson Idahosa
On this day 83 years ago, Archbishop Benson Idahosa, the late fiery preacher, was born.
Benson Idahosa is regarded as the father of modern-day Pentecostalism in Nigeria. In addition, he was the first President of the Nigerian Pentecostal Fellowship (PFN).
On September 11, 1938, he was born to non-Christian parents in a predominantly non-Christian community. Because he was frail and sickly, his father, John, rejected him.
Idahosa, the Church of God Mission’s founder, was Nigeria’s first Pentecostal Archbishop.
The minister from Edo State was known for his strong faith, boldness, power, and prosperity-based preaching, as well as his strong belief in the supernatural.
Idahosa was a key figure in Nigeria’s strong wave of Christian revival and conversions from animism between the 1970s and 1990s.
T. L. Osborn, a well-known American preacher, referred to him as the world’s greatest African Ambassador of the apostolic Christian faith.
Many prominent Nigerian pastors, including Ayo Oritsejafor, David Oyedepo, Felix Omobude, Fred Addo, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Chris Oyakhilome, and others, were mentored and influenced by Idahosa.
He also kept close relationships with international gospel ministers like Billy Graham, T. L. Osborn, Kenneth Hagin, Benny Hinn, Reinhard Bonnke, Morris Cerullo, and Oral Roberts, among others, and took the gospel to 145 countries during his lifetime.
Benson Idahosa University (BIU) was founded by Idahosa in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
At the time of his death in 1998, he had preached to more whites than any black man and to more blacks than any white man.
Idahosa passed away on March 12, 1998. Margaret Idahosa, his wife, and their four children survived him. His wife was later appointed Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International (CGMI), the Christian ministry he founded.
Check out some of the iconic preacher’s old photos below.
Young Benson Idahosa
Archbishop Idahosa lifts up a child (Barrister Stephen Giwa-Amu) who reportedly got his father to donate the land where the Miracle Centre church is built in Benin city, Edo State
Idahosa with other members of the College of bishops from the International Communion of Charismatic Churches (ICCC) , a body that he was a founding member. In the middle (in suit) is former Governor of the old Bendel State, Prof. Ambrose Ali.
Archbishop Benson Idahosa being consecrated as an Archbishop at the Miracle Centre church, Benin city.
Idahosa being interviewed at an event at Ogbe stadium, Benin city
Idahosa and Dr. T.L. Osborn at the Faith Arena (the International headquarter of Church of God Mission) in Benin city, Nigeria.
Archbishop Idahosa with Richard Roberts
Bishop Idahosa with wife, Margaret, together with Bishop David Oyedepo and wife, Faith
Idahosa with Pastor Enoch Adeboye
Idahosa at the “Crusade of the Century” at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
