The Advertisers of Jesus Christ Grace International Mission (AJCGIM) has marked 50 years of ministry, with pastors, founding members and former ministers recounting how the church shaped their Christian journeys and influenced their lives.
The golden jubilee celebration, held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at AJC Church, 17 Calvary Baptist Church Street, off Ekoro Junction, Abule Egba, Lagos, also commemorated the 11th anniversary of the passing of the ministry’s founder, late Evangelist Bola Sanni Jeje, whose remembrance fell on November 5.
The celebration connected members and guests beyond the Lagos venue, as attendees joined virtually through Zoom from different locations, including Ilesha, where the ministry’s headquarters is located. Members of the late founder’s family, who are based abroad, also joined the programme through the online platform.
Preaching at the event, Servant of Christ, Pastor Adegunwa, urged Christians to understand their identity as children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than seeing themselves only as forgiven sinners. He said the ministry’s mission was to expand God’s Kingdom on earth and continually remind believers that they are children of God and joint heirs with Christ.
Drawing from biblical passages, including John 1:11–14, John 10:23–36, Ephesians 1:3–6 and 1 John 4:15, Adegunwa stressed the importance of understanding and holding firmly to the ministry’s vision and mission. He explained that God’s purpose was not only to forgive sinners but also to make them His children. He urged members to carry this understanding into their daily lives and Christian service.
Reflecting on the ministry’s history, Pastor Basil Aponinuola, who leads the Abule-Egba Assembly of AJCGIM, recalled joining the ministry in 1985 while serving as a corps member.
Aponinuola said he had given his life to Christ in November 1982 before becoming involved in the ministry. He described the late founder as his first spiritual father and recalled how his involvement in the church also shaped his family life.
He said he met his wife through the ministry, and they married in 1992. He also spoke about the ministry’s growth from a small fellowship, expressing gratitude to God for sustaining him and his family through the years.
Another founding member, Pastor Moses Jagboro, expressed gratitude for being alive to witness the ministry’s 50th anniversary. His reflection highlighted the significance of the milestone to those who were part of its early years.
For Pastor Timothy Aduroja, a former minister of the church, AJCGIM remains the place where his Christian foundation was established. Aduroja, who said he gave his life to Christ through the ministry about 40 years ago, described it as his spiritual home. He said the lessons he received there continued to influence his Christian life even after moving on to serve elsewhere.
He also spoke about a programme in his present church, known as Heaven Consciousness, which he has organised for more than 20 years. He linked the programme to the Christian teachings and foundation he received during his time at AJCGIM.
Deaconess Cecilia Aponinuola, who said she had spent over 30 years in the ministry, reflected on her experience as a pastor’s wife, her marriage and raising her children within the church.
Her role in the ministry and influence on others also featured in the testimony of Evangelist Deborah Aina Johnson, a missionary and coordinator of RMOGT Mission Agency.
Johnson recalled that in 2015, while mobilising for her first missions campaign seminar and workshop, she visited AJC Abule-Egba Assembly and met Deaconess Aponinuola, who accepted her invitation on behalf of the church. Aponinuola also led the team that attended the seminar and workshop, an experience Johnson said strengthened and encouraged her in the early stages of her ministry.
She further recalled that AJC Abule-Egba Assembly gave her the opportunity to preach on missions from a church podium for the first time.
Johnson said her message focused on missions and the advancement of God’s Kingdom. It was during that preaching engagement that she met the late founder, Evang. Bola Sanni Jeje, who prayed for her and encouraged her to remain focused on her missionary work.
The anniversary programme also featured testimonies coordinated by Mummy Adegunwa, with members recounting experiences of spiritual growth, family support and personal progress.
One of the contributors, Brother Boye, credited the ministry’s prayers and support for significant milestones in his life. He recalled securing employment as a driver through a connection with the pastor and later building a house. He also encouraged younger members to remain faithful and prayerful.
Another testimony speaker recounted how members supported her family when her sister became seriously ill. She said church members prayed and brought food and other provisions during the difficult period. She also recalled the support they provided to the family during her sister’s burial.
A further testimony came from a woman who said she had been part of the ministry for 14 years. She explained that the church’s teachings helped strengthen her faith, particularly during the period her husband was away from Nigeria.
As AJCGIM marked five decades, the experiences shared by its pastors, former ministers ,members and other believers offered different perspectives on the ministry’s history, from its early beginnings to the personal faith journeys, family experiences and missionary work connected to its community.
The anniversary provided an opportunity not only to remember the spiritual influence and personality of late Evang. Bola Sanni Jeje but also to consider how the vision he established would continue to be understood and carried forward by succeeding generations.
Emiabata Deborah Oluwabusiolami
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