How it landed in Nigeria
The Story
The Organization now spread across 2064 branches in Nigeria was the result of a Foursquare missionary family in the persons of Rev. H.J. Curtis & Mrs Faye Curtis and their two sons.
This family arrived on the shores of Nigeria on November 4, 1954, from the United States of America with the clear goal of starting the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria. From all available records, it took about one year before an official stamp was given to the individual work of this Godly couple. The work effectively started in 1955. The records indicate that Rev. H.J. Curtis, on arrival to Nigeria rented a flat at King George Avenue (now Herbert Macaulay Street) where he started a Vocational Bible School in his apartment frontage from where the movement’s first pioneering students and eventual national leaders were discovered and trained. These were; Rev. James. A. Boyejo, Rev. Friday C. Osuwa, Rev. Samuel O. Odunaike and a few others.
Working hand-in-hand
Vocation Bible School
At this Vocational Bible School, God also granted the Curtis’ the privilege of working with another independent foreign missionary sister, Margaret Season, who also graduated from the LIFE Bible College in Los Angeles in 1948 to assist in lecturing the students.
All the pioneering students and close associates who were undergoing training at the Vocational Bible School (VBS) were not actually converted freshly by the Curtis’ as they were believers who had given their lives to Christ in their various denominations. Rev. F.C. Osuwa was in fact already an ordained minister of God with the Assemblies of God Mission. The street meeting was actually one of the street meetings held by Rev. Harold Curtis in several places in Yaba. It was at one of these meetings that Bro. Boyejo first met Rev. Curtis in December, 1954.
The First Citadel
First Place of Worship
As a result of several street meetings that brought about a great crowd, Rev. Curtis rented a building which was formerly used as a beer parlour. It was during the semester break when after the discovery, rental and renovation of 68, King George Avenue, then known as the Yankee Bar, the inauguration exercise took place on Saturday, October 31, 1955. The occasion was colorful. The frontage of the building was lit brightly with several fluorescent lights and with chairs set up in the open air.
The following people actively took part in the never – to be forgotten historical event:
Rev. Harold J. Curtis
Bro. Odunaike S.O
Ronald Curtis
Mrs. Faye Curtis
Bro. Boyejo J.A
Gerald Curtis
Rev. Margaret Season
Rev. F.C Osuwa
Other Bible School students
Inauguration Service
The open air Inauguration Service begun at about 7.00pm with an announcement and invitation to passersby. This was followed by Gospel Music from the trumpet played by Ronald Curtis and the accordion played by Bro. Odunaike. Gospel songs followed. The sermon was preached by Rev. Harold Curtis and interpreted by Bro. Boyejo. At the end of the message, altar call was made and many souls gave their hearts to Christ. The meeting closed with an invitation to everyone, to attend the first Sunday school and church service at the same venue the following day, which was Sunday.
The Creed
Our Doctrine
THE SAVIOR
THE BAPTIZER
THE HEALER
THE SOON-COMING KING
We believe that
Jesus Christ is the saviour of the World
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him…” – Isaiah 53:5
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” – Titus 2:14
We believe that
Jesus Christ is the baptizer of the Holy Spirit
for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Mathew 8:17
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? ” – Mark 16:17-18
We believe that
Jesus is the healer
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying: Himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases..” – Mathew 8:17
“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[a] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will.” – Mark 16:17-18
We believe that
Jesus is the soon-coming king
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ”
– 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
“So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” – Hebrew 9:28
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” – Titus 2:14
God’s General
Our Leaders
Time Line
Over the Years
1998
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2004
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2015
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