Welcome!
The Celestial Church of Christ is a church “born of the Holy Spirit” brought into being in the same manner as the first century church.
It is God’s heavenly church on earth and is established by the blood of Jesus and by the reason of His word as illustrated in CCC hymn 330 (verse 2).
Its founder Rev. Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa was a Methodist lay person. He received the power of the Holy Spirit and began his preaching in a small West African country called Dahomey (now called Republic of Benin) in 1947 after a period of three months in the forest during which an angel appeared to him and commissioned him to teach people to rely on the Almighty God and the ministry of Jesus Christ alone.
He heard the voice of God giving him the following mandate;
“I wish to send you to the world on an errand of preaching and exhortation. Many Christians in their lifetime seek after fetish priests and other powers of darkness for all kinds of assistance when confronted by problems and difficulties of this world. On their death, they think they are Christians, but they do not realise that they are no longer Christians because Satan has left his mark on them. For this reason, such people, after death, cannot see Christ.
I want to send you to the world on a mission of preaching and exhortation. The world will not believe you but miraculous works of holy divine healing will be wrought by you in the name of Jesus Christ. Men will listen to and follow you, these works of divine healing and God’s spiritual mark on you will testify to the fact that God sent you.” (See section 24 of CCC Constitution).
The Celestial Church of Christ extended beyond the shores of Africa in 1968 and settled in Canada since the early 1990s. The church has spread round the world deep into Europe, North America, Middle East, Australia and Asia. Celestial Church of Christ Gathering of the Saints Parish Edmonton is the first Celestial Church in the Province of Alberta. It was established in Edmonton, Alberta Canada in 2014.
The Church believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and has completed the work of redemption and salvation by His death and resurrection. It is based on the Christian creed, the ordination of ministers and the sacraments. The Church also believes in the infallibility of the scriptures as the guide to the Kingdom of God and in the Holy Spirit as the enabling power of believers for divine life.
Church ministries include: Shepherd, Evangelism, Prophetic, Youth, Music, Ushering (Onibode) and women’s ministries. Prophecy is especially important; some are visioners, dreamers / divine voice hearers. Their role is to make known to the people the will and mind of God and make revelations unto them (Amos 3: 6).
The liturgical worship consists of prayers, hymns, Bible readings, sermon, offerings and sacraments. Programs include revival services, outreach, bible fellowships, musical ministrations and symposia. The hymns of the Celestial Church have a special authority as they were descended through prophets and prophetesses via the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Worshippers wear white garments (sign of the priesthood of all believers) and take off their shoes when wearing that attire. Shoes are also not worn within the confines of the church as it is deemed as holy land unto the Lord. Clergy, depending on their hierarchal position wear colourful garments. Holy water, incense and other spiritual items are used in the service.
Holy Communion is shared occasionally but specifically during the Christmas Eve service and on Maundy (Holy) Thursday after the washing of the feet. The other sacraments include christening, baptism and marriage. All members must be baptised at an appropriate time; those coming from other denominations will receive another baptism.
We encourage our members to use Christ as their shield, as it is He that saves. Throughout the member’s journey with Christ in the church, depending on their spiritual maturity, they are elevated in the hierarchal linage of the church to enable them to become more active as soldiers for Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has established the Celestial Church for the salvation of mankind and to cleanse the world from all satanic influences. To this end the Church is clothed with enormous spiritual power and miracles are a common feature.
In addition, we believe that all Christian denominations must work together and unite under the banner of Christ in order to collectively win souls for the Kingdom of God. You can join any of your church groups; a place where you can feel comfortable to use and develop gifts and talents that the Lord has given unto you. Even if you seek for such gifts, the Lord is faithful to give according to your heart’s desire.
