From its humble beginnings in 1955 to a global movement spanning thousands of assemblies, the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria gathered for its 70th Annual Convention. It was a full week of worship, reflection, and recommitment to purpose.
The theme, “Completion & Perfection,” set the tone: gratitude for the past, hope for tomorrow.
Rev. Sam Aboyeji, the General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, described the milestone as “a testimony of God’s faithfulness through generations.”
As he quipped during his opening message,
“Seventy years is not just a number. It’s a story of sacrifice, revival, and unbroken faith. We have seen God move through every challenge, and now we stand on the threshold of a new dawn.”
From a Mission to a Movement
The story of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria begins with a missionary couple, H.J. Curtis and Faye Curtis, who arrived in Nigeria on November 4, 1954 with the goal of planting the church, which had been founded in the U.S. by Aimee Semple McPherson in 1923.
Working alongside early Nigerian pioneers such as Rev. and Mrs. Boyejo, they eventually laid the foundation for what would become one of the nation’s most structured Pentecostal denominations.
A year later, the movement became more formally established in October 1955.
From its early days in Yaba, Lagos, the church grew rapidly fueled by evangelistic zeal and an emphasis on sound doctrine.
By the 1970s and 80s, the Foursquare Gospel Church had spread across all regions of the country, becoming known for its balanced teaching, integrity-driven leadership, and commitment to community service.
Today, with the local assemblies numbering in the thousands and strong missionary presence in more than 30 countries, the church continues to build on that legacy.
Key Milestones
- 1954: Rev. and Mrs. Curtis, along with their two sons, arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, to begin the work of the Foursquare Gospel Church.
- 1955: A vocational Bible school was started by Rev. Curtis in the frontage of his rented flat in Lagos. From these initial students, the movement’s first national leaders were trained.
- October 31, 1955: The first official Foursquare place of worship was inaugurated in a renovated building that had previously been a bar. The occasion followed a series of successful street evangelism meetings.
- 1966: The Foursquare Gospel Church was officially registered in Nigeria.
- 1974: Rev. S.O. Odunaike became the church’s first indigenous General Overseer.
- 1986: The church established its own theological college to train future leaders.
The Founding Fathers and Their Enduring Vision
The 70th convention served not only as a celebration but also as a solemn remembrance of the founding fathers whose faith shaped the church’s journey. Names like Rev. & Mrs. R. E. Boyejo, Rev. Osueke, Rev. Samuel Odunaike, Friday Chinyere Osuwa, and others were mentioned with deep reverence during the tribute segment.
According to official church history, Rev. Odunaike, the first indigenius General Overseer, laid the framework for Foursquare’s structured administrative system, while Rev. Boyejo championed indigenous leadership at a time when most churches were missionary-led.
The following individuals have served as the General Overseer for the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria:
- Rev. Harold Curtis (1955–1974)
- Rev. S.O. Odunaike (1974–1985)
- Rev Gabriel Farombi (1985–1999)
- Rev. Wilson Badejo (1999–2009)
- Rev. Felix Meduoye (2009–2018)
- Rev. Sam Aboyeji (2018–present)
In a special tribute service, Rev. Aboyeji said, “We are standing on the shoulders of giants. These men and women carried the torch of the gospel with integrity, discipline, and love for the Word.”
A Gathering of Nations
This year’s convention was more than a routine assembly. It was a festival of faith that brought together local and international delegates. Worship sessions, teaching seminars, youth gatherings, and leadership workshops filled the week-long event.
The grand opening service was a sight to behold: thousands of worshippers lifting their voices, waving flags from various Foursquare districts across Nigeria. The atmosphere was electric, filled with gratitude and joy.
Among the distinguished guest speakers were:
- Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG),
- Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel),
- Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC),
- Bishop Francis Wale Oke, President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), amongst a notable few.
Not forgetting Reverend Randy Remington, the International President of the Foursquare Gospel Church, USA, who also joined the event virtually.
In his goodwill message, Remington said, “The Nigerian Foursquare movement remains one of the strongest in the world, which makes it a beacon of revival and faithfulness to the gospel.”
Honoring Leaders and Transitioning Legacies
One of the convention’s most emotional highlights was the celebration of past leaders who had served faithfully through the decades. Awards of recognition were presented to former General Overseers, state overseers, and missionaries who had contributed to the church’s expansion and national influence.
Rev. Felix Meduoye, a former General Overseer, in his reflective address, said,
“When we began, we prayed for strength to sustain the vision. Today, seeing the fruits of those labors, we can only bow our heads in gratitude.”
The convention also spotlighted the church’s community impact initiatives. Through the Foursquare Foundation and various social outreach programs, the denomination continues to invest in education, health, and humanitarian relief.
In partnership with local governments and NGOs, the church has established schools, hospitals, and skill development centers. During a side session titled “Faith in Action: The Church and Nation Building,” panelists discussed how the church can strengthen its involvement in civic responsibility and youth empowerment.
One of the youth delegates, 26-year-old Grace Ojo from Kwara District, asserted,
“This convention rekindled my sense of purpose. Seeing leaders who’ve served faithfully reminds me that Christianity is not just about belief; it’s about impact.”
The Foursquare creed ; Jesus Christ the Savior, Baptizer, Healer, and Coming King; remains central to its theology. This foundation has allowed the movement to maintain doctrinal integrity while adapting to modern realities.
As Rev. Aboyeji reminded attendees during the final service, “Our nation’s hope is not in politics but in the hands of God’s people who dare to live out the gospel.”
Looking Ahead
The closing night of the convention was a blend of gratitude and anticipation. Fireworks lit up the sky as worshippers sang “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”
In his closing remarks, the General Overseer charged the church to step boldly into the future:
“The next seventy years will not be built on nostalgia but on renewed obedience. God has done great things; now we must do greater.”
This wasn’t just another anniversary. It was a sacred reminder of what faith, unity, and vision can accomplish when a people choose to stand firm through time.
References
- Foursquare Convention official site (Platinum Convention 2025 — Completion and Perfection).
- Wikipedia: “Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria” (founding date, founders, headquarters address).
- Dictionary of African Christian Biography — James Abayomi Boyejo profile (founding father biography).
- LIFE Theological Seminary history (origins & Curtis missionary work).
- Foursquare Church Nigeria official site / national pages (organizational information).
- The Punch.ng (https://punchng.com/i-waited-for-22-years-before-i-remarried-to-allow-my-kids-mature-farombi/)
