Sunday School

Sunday School had been operating in some local assemblies in Christ Apostolic Church such as Mushin and Olorunsogo, in Lagos State, Oniyanrin and Olugbode, both in Ibadan, Oyo State, and in some other places that might not have been immediately known to others, through the individual efforts of some well-meaning brethren/ministers and groups that had tasted of the beauty of the programme, and who wanted the joy extended to others.  It was also in existence in such places as Christ Apostolic Church Ikosi-Ketu assembly, where Sunday School started as early as the commencement of the church in 1974, with Brother F.O. Ojuolape (now pastor), Brother Joseph Ola Osunkoya (now pastor), late Evangelist Kayode, Brother Ebenezer Owodunni (now pastor), Brother Leke Obasoyin (now pastor), Brother John Agbaje (visiting teacher), Brother Dodo, Mrs. Oni, Sister Jumoke, Mrs. Fakoyejo (now midwife), and Elder Adeleke as the pioneer teachers.

These assemblies and individuals and many other unmentioned ones were independent of themselves in the preparation and dissemination of their respective Sunday School lessons. Most of them made use of Sunday School materials from the Assemblies of God, Baptist Church and others. Notable men of God like Pastor M.O. Yusuf and Pastor John Oyebanji are trailblazers in this respect. They took charge of their different assemblies, getting Sunday School pamphlets from other denominations to teach their congregations on Sundays.

The history of organised Sunday School in Christ Apostolic Church cannot be detached from the erstwhile President of the Church, Pastor E. H. L. Olusheye, assisted by Pastor S. O. Akinsulure. When Pastor Olusheye returned from Overseas, with Pastor Akinsulure in 1977, they came over to complement and harmonise these already existing individual efforts into an organised national and international Sunday School programme which cuts across the length and breadth of the Church, at home and abroad.

After the President of the church, Pastor E.T. Latunde gave Pastor Olusheye and his lieutenant the authority to continue with his God-given Christian educational vision, the Church Authority constituted a Committee for Christian Education to oversee the Sunday School matter, and Pastor Olusheye was made the chairman. This was formalised in October 1976, after Pastor Olusheye and Pastor Akinsulure presented their proposed programme to the Standing Committee of the then Christ Apostolic Church Supreme Council, and that was the meeting that officially and finally ratified the establishment of the Sunday School Department in Christ Apostolic Church.

The Sunday School Department programme was fully launched in 1977, to coordinate the affairs of Sunday School in the Church, and to hold annual national rallies to bless the entire Church and the teachers, in particular. Pastor E.H.L. Olusheye was appointed the National Sunday School Superintendent and assisted by Pastor S.O. Akinsulure. They were charged with oversight of the department.

In January 1977, the first Sunday School lecture pamphlet was written by Pastor Olusheye and his assistant, Pastor Akinsulure. It was a miniature replica of the present CAC Sunday School lessons handbook. It came to replace the ones that were formerly being used, published by the Assemblies of God Church. The duo had to write, publish, and distribute at their expense.

The Sunday School Pamphlet is now being published in different languages, including English, Yoruba, Igbo, Efik, Hausa, TIV, French, and Isoko. The lessons also exist in Braille (for the visually challenged) which up till now is given out free of charge by the Authority of Christ Apostolic Church.

Other Sunday School publications are: Sunday School Teachers’ Manual (in English and Yoruba languages), Parents’ Day Pamphlets, Sunday School Day Pamphlets, Children Sunday School manuals and workbook; and the Daily Devotional Book (LIVING WATER and OMI-IYE). The circulation of these publications even extends to other denominations and overseas countries.