Release Me and Let Me Go
God sent Benson Idahosa to meet with S.G. Elton, a missionary in Ilesha, Nigeria. Elton arranged for him to train at Gordon Lindsay’s Bible School in the United States. However, Idahosa did not complete the two-year course. After one year, he told Gordon Lindsay, “Why should I be sitting here in a classroom when Africans are dying? Release me and let me go.”
A private consecration was held for him—the only student ever personally released by Gordon Lindsay. Before the rest of the students graduated, Gordon Lindsay passed away. Upon returning to Benin City, reports circulated that those who came to welcome him collapsed under the power of God from twenty yards away. Idahosa’s open-air meetings saw many people healed from epilepsy and other sicknesses. News of these miracles quickly spread to nearby villages, prompting more evangelistic activities. To reach remote areas, he purchased a motorcycle for long-distance travels.
The Start of Church of God Mission International
Idahosa initially served under Pastor Okpo of the Assemblies of God Church but soon followed his personal calling. God instructed him: “Raise up an army for Me, to go with the gospel to all nations. Gather those I have called, and I will send them with the fire of My Spirit.”
In 1962, he formed a prayer group named Calvary Fellowship, inaugurated in 1965 by Rev. Edgar Perkins. By 1968, the group had grown significantly. God gave Idahosa a vision of crowds rushing from Iyaro, inspiring him to build a church in 1970. On 18th September 1974, this church was officially registered as the Church of God Mission International.
Street Evangelism and Open-Air Crusades
The church actively engaged in street evangelism and open-air crusades, adding new believers daily and planting more churches across Nigeria. In 1973, Idahosa laid the foundation of Miracle Centre, initially designed to seat 500 worshippers, but it was expanded to a 700-seater by 1975 and dedicated by Freda Lindsay. Idahosa stated, “No man can take the glory for what you see today. God gave me a team to train, build and establish.”
First Pentecostal Bishop and Stadium Church
In 1981, Idahosa became the first Pentecostal Bishop in Nigeria, ordained by David Du Plessis. In 1983, God directed him to construct Africa’s first stadium church, which was dedicated in 1986 with a seating capacity of over 20,000.
To be continued…
Tale Tuesday 148
Date: 23rd September, 2025
Title: : Benson Idahosa (part 2)
Source: Africa God’s Generals The Soul Winners
Author: Eddie Sempala
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