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I’ve been an ordained pastor since 2009 – Pastor Jimmy Odukoya clarifies

In an interview with BBC Pidgin, he confirmed that he had been officially ordained and granted a ministerial license since 2009. He has served as a pastor for more than a decade, contrary to what many people believed.

Regarding his recent appointment as the lead pastor, announced on Sunday, September 17, 2023, Odukoya stated, “Yes, I am now the head pastor of the Fountain of Life church. I received my ordination as a minister in 2009, and I became a pastor in this Fountain of Life Church in 2012. I’ve been serving as the lead pastor of the youth church, Church 3:16, since around 2020 or 2021. For those who are aware, they know, and for those who are not, that’s perfectly fine. I have been a licensed minister in this ministry since 2009.”

The pastor, who is also an actor, addressed the issue of conflicting interests that emerged when he ventured into the Nollywood entertainment industry. His acting career continued to flourish, culminating in his most prominent role as Oba Ade in the 2022 Hollywood film “The Woman King,” where he starred alongside Viola Davis and John Boyega.

He confirmed that he faced the dilemma of choosing between the two pursuits but is committed to pursuing both over time, emphasizing that his primary focus is currently on his ministry.

Odukoya remarked, “When I began my acting career, I was told that I had to choose between ministry and acting because people in the church might not accept my acting career. But look at what God has done; I spent six years in the entertainment industry, an industry notoriously difficult to break into. This showed me that with God, nothing is impossible. However, now that my father has passed away, my main focus is on the church. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that I can’t act anymore; once an actor, always an actor, you know.”

This development followed his appointment as the head pastor of the church after the passing of his father, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, in August 2023. The news of his appointment elicited mixed reactions on social media, with some expressing joy and others showing skepticism due to his acting career.

Nonetheless, Odukoya has made it clear that his primary commitment is to his ministry as the pastor of the church, which was established in 1992.

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