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About SOTSM

A home of faith, love, and transformation — committed to sharing the light of Christ and building a family rooted in purpose and hope.

Our Story
Our Beliefs

Our Scripture

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” – John 1:4

About Christ Life Church

We are a vibrant community of believers dedicated to spreading love, faith, and hope through Christ. Our family is built on compassion, prayer, and transformation — raising disciples to impact the world positively for Jesus.

OUR MISSION
  • To lead people to Christ massively worldwide and establish them in the grace of God.
  • To establish vibrant churches strategically worldwide that will plant other vibrant churches.
  • To make this world a better place through practical application of the gospel of Christ.
  • To make heaven our home at last.
OUR COMMISSION
  • To lead at least 100 million souls to Christ.
  • To plant at least 10,000 churches for Christ.
OUR VISION

We proclaim JESUS, the CHRIST, as Lord of all as we teach the undiluted Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit, leading people to experience the Christ Life, and to walk in dominion on the earth and to make heaven their home at last.

Brief History of Christ Life Church

A journey of faith, prayer, and divine guidance from 1984 to a global church impacting lives
worldwide.

The Beginning

1984 -1988

The Beginning and Gathering of People

In 1984, Brother Francis Wale Oke, as he was known then, brought together a team of seven (7) Spirit-filled believers, including his wife Victoria, to meet every week to serve as the prayer back-up for his nation-wide evangelistic programmes and crusades.

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These included the two staffs of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries at that time. The meeting was held at the Ministries’ office at No. 46, Old Ife Road, Loyola, Ibadan.

Brother Francis made it a point of duty to return home from the field of evangelism to teach this group about prayer and to lead them to pray. His second book and best seller “Alone with God” was a product of these early prayer meetings.

Before long, this small team began to grow, until it was over eighty (80) people meeting every week. Brother Francis then disbanded them, asking them to go to churches around because, according to him, he did not want to be a pastor. He however, retained the original seven (7) so that the prayer fire could continue to burn to support his evangelistic effort nationwide.

The group began to grow again with a new set of converts, added each week as the man of God ministered. After disbanding the group the second time, the Lord gave His servant a revelation, rebuking him for sending His people away who were hungry for the bread of life, which the Lord had given him to distribute. From that time, he was no longer going to send people away.

1989 - NOW

The Word Came

In the first week of February 1989, while ministering in Lagos, Bishop Francis Wale Oke was praying in the guest house where he was lodged (ECWA Guest House, Yaba), when the Lord told him that the time had come for the Church in Ibadan to start.

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In 1984, while studying the scriptures, the Lord spoke from II Chronicles 36:23 about raising a great church in Ibadan, his Jerusalem, which will impact the whole world.

2 Chronicles 36:23

“Thus saith Cyprus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord God of heaven given me; and He hath charged me to build Him a house in Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all His people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.”

The church did not start that year. But the fellowship continued with an introduction of Wednesday as a prayer meeting, while Monday became Bible Teaching time. By late 1988, this fellowship had grown to over 500, with people coming from the farthest end of the city of Ibadan to 46, Old Ife Road, to receive the word of God through His servant.

The announcement was made the following Monday to the Fellowship, and on Sunday, 12th February 1989, Christ Life Church started at 46, Old Ife Road, Loyola, Ibadan. The first service had about two hundred (200) people in attendance, and Bishop Francis Wale Oke took his text from Matthew 16:18. The topic was I will build my Church.

Matthew 16:18

“And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

By the time the young Church celebrated its first anniversary in February 1990, there were over one thousand worshippers. By 1993, satellite churches were opened in places like 46, Old Ife Road, Old Bodija, Eleyele, Akobo, Monatan, Agugu and others. By February 2011, the church had over 250 vibrant churches in Nigeria and internationally in Guinea, the UK, USA and Canada.

OUR FAITH

WHAT WE BELIEVE

The Word of God & the Godhead

The Holy Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God and the final authority in faith and conduct. We believe in one God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  • Inspired Scriptures
  • The Trinity
  • Divine Authority
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The Lord Jesus Christ & Redemption

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, born of a virgin, sinless in life, and the only Saviour through His atoning death and shed blood. We believe in His resurrection, ascension, abiding intercession, and His imminent return in glory and power.

  • Virgin birth & sinless life
  • Atoning death & shed blood
  • Resurrection, ascension & return
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Salvation, Grace & Eternal Destiny

All men have sinned and come short of the Glory of God; salvation (the New Birth) is by grace through repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

  • Salvation by grace through faith
  • Heaven & lake of fire
  • Final judgement & eternal hope
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The Holy Spirit & His Ministry

We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as received by the Apostles, accompanied by speaking in tongues as the initial physical scriptural evidence subsequent to the New Birth.

  • Holy Spirit baptism & tongues
  • Gifts for edification & mission
  • Divine healing by faith
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The Church, Ordinances & Ministry

The Church is the Body and Bride of Christ, with Jesus Christ as Head, tasked to glorify God and take the Gospel to all nations and make disciples.

  • Body & Bride of Christ
  • Baptism & the Lord’s Supper
  • Calling, ministry gifts & discipleship
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Christian Living, Holiness & Stewardship

We believe in sanctification and holiness, and that those who are saved must live holy; we uphold the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God and the reality of answered prayer.

  • Holiness, marriage & prayer
  • Stewardship, dominion & tithing
  • Godly conduct, compassion & mission
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The Word of God & the Godhead

  • That the Holy Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testament, is given by inspiration of God. It is the only infallible and authoritative Word of God and the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
  • In the Holy Trinity – That the Godhead consists of eternally existing three separate and distinct Persons – The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, possessing separate, distinct and recognisable personalities and qualities, and are perfectly united as one in will, purpose and deed.
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The Lord Jesus Christ & Redemption

  • In the virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, triumphant resurrection, ascension, and abiding intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His imminent return in glory and power.
  • That justification, regeneration and the new birth are wrought by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the atoning work He did by the shedding of His blood on the cross at Calvary.
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Salvation, Grace & Eternal Destiny

  • That all men have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. Salvation or the New Birth comes by God’s grace through repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in individual’s heart through the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:8–9; Acts 20:20–21; John 3:3–8)

    That there is a literal heaven, a place prepared by God for all who put their trust in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross; and there is a literal lake of fire where all who reject Jesus as Saviour and Lord will burn forever.

    We believe in the final judgement. (Rev. 19:20; Rev. 21:22)

    We believe in the New Heaven and the New Earth. (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:22)

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The Holy Spirit & His Ministry

  • Holy Spirit Baptism – We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as received by the Apostles, accompanied by speaking in tongues as the initial physical scriptural evidence subsequent to the New Birth. (Acts 2:4; Acts 19:6)
  • That all the gifts and ministry of the Holy Spirit are for the edification of the church, which is the Body of Christ, and for the propagation of the Gospel message all over the earth.
  • That divine healing for all diseases is provided for all in the Word of God and in the atoning work of Christ, and can be received by faith.
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The Church, Ordinances & Ministry

  • That the church is the Body and Bride of Christ, whose task is to glorify God on the earth, and to take the Gospel of Christ to all nations and make disciples of them. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church.
  • That water baptism is by immersion and all who believe should be so baptised in the name of the Father, Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
  • That the Lord’s Supper was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ and all believers in Him might partake thereof regularly to show the Lord’s death till He comes. (2 Cor. 11:22)
  • That the priesthood of all believers in Christ, the reality and sacredness of divine calling, and the ministry gifts of the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers remain for as long as the Church is on earth, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. (Eph. 4:11–12)
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Christian Living, Holiness & Stewardship

  • Sanctification – We believe in holiness and that those who are saved must live holy. (Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:16; Rom. 12:1–2)
  • In the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God, between a man and a woman, that a man should be married to one wife, and both be loyal and faithful to each other in all circumstances. Divorce and remarriage permitted only on the ground of fornication, as clearly stated by our Lord Jesus Christ. (Matt. 19:3–9)
  • In the reality of answered prayer through the name of Jesus. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb. 11:6)
  • That the redeemed man is to walk in dominion over all of God’s creation, and to enjoy abundance and prosperity on earth, through Jesus Christ.
  • Tithing – That the tithe belongs to God and it is our covenant connector for prosperity and open heavens. (Mal. 3:10–12)
  • We believe in total abstinence from all liquor or strong drinks, tobacco, opium, morphine, cocaine, etc., except for medicinal purposes as recommended by qualified medical specialists. Membership of lodges, freemasons, or any secret cult is strictly forbidden; likewise witchcraft, sorcery, the use of juju, charms, talisman or astrology for any reason or purpose whatsoever.
  • We believe in having concern for the hurts and social needs of our fellow men and make positive moves in helping to provide solutions.
  • In using every modern means and methods of communication available to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most effective manner throughout the world.