Meet One Of Gods Generals: Bishop Margaret Bola Odeleke

 

History is the strength of the future. Some will say experience is the best teacher, not necessarily your own experience. The birth and depth of Christianity for ages even after the departure of Jesus Christ can be traced to the believers of old which is well captured in the Bible in Hebrews chapter 11 where the writer stated the experience of past believers in God and how they burnt bridges behind and won the battle of life with God on their side. 

Such is the life of this great general of our time, A woman of God, an enigma, a mentor, a mother and an adviser to many priests, pastors, and kingdom workers, both male and female, an inspirational singer, a pacesetter, A leader with strides - Bishop Margaret Omobolanle Kofoworola Odeleke, founder and Senior Minister of Power Pentecostal Church, in Lagos Nigeria.

Bishop Bola Odeleke was born into the family of Chief & Chief (Mrs)  Aboderin from Ibadan Oyo state Nigeria on June 19th, 1950. She had her primary and secondary education in Ilesa, Osun state. She later got married to her childhood friend, Late General Lasun Odeleke, a pastor and an army officer in 1973 at Christ Apostolic Church, oke-Anu. Before this time, Lasun Odeleke grew up in Ibadan where they met. He was the founding president of Christ Message Ministry.  Bishop Odeleke received a call into full-time Evangelical ministry in 1974.

She lost her husband in an accident while he was traveling to Abuja in his official car on November 20,1990. Late General Lasun James Odeleke was a member of the then Provisional Ruling Council in the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. They had seven children together - Abiye Olubunmi, Segun, Kayode, Funlola, Joshua, Eniola, and Damilola. 

She started her Evangelical ministry activities using the name Lady Evangelist Odeleke and her crusade team. She is the founder of Power Pentecostal Church, which started as Christ Apostolic Church Agbala Agbara Olorun Kiibati in 1993. Bishop Odeleke was consecrated as a Bishop of International ministerial council of Great Britain (IMCGB) and PPC Worldwide by the council in Britain(like CAN in Nigeria). The Archbishop of Canterbury, Late Arch. Bishop Douglas signed her certificate of consecration. She became the first Female bishop in Africa.

Bishop Bola Margaret Odeleke, a mother, a mentor, and an inspirational singer, has some wonderful music albums to God's glory. She has several awards, from the Peace Ambassador award by Camping for Peace international to bagging an Honourary Doctorate degree and several others.

The great woman of God had encountered different challenges, apart from losing her husband, She lost one of her children. At a time in her life when she remarried, people began to leave the church. Another encounter is when she changed from Christ Apostolic Church to Power Pentecostal Church. In her words, "I only found out that people are interested in being blessed through my ministry but were not interested in my happiness".

Today, after 72 years of her life she is still in Christ despite all challenges and losses. Her ministry has grown more than ever, A visit to the church will convince you of her giant strides and nearly impossible accomplishments. The church is located by Cele bus stop, Okota road, Lagos.