CACMA SHORT HISTORY

BY
PASTOR P. O. BANDELE (CACMA worldwide Chairman)

INTRODUCTION:  I write this short history to narrate the incipience about Christ Apostolic Church Men Association (CACMA) for the benefit of all CACMA members and others, especially all married men who must be members of this noble association, so that everyone will surely understand the beginning of CACMA in brief.

The purpose and good intension of our fore-fathers, the Authority of this Church and the Elders that instituted CACMA was to raise up the hands of Moses of CAC up – Exodus 17:8-13, and to act like the Church in Antioch – (Acts 13:1-5).

WORKERS TRAINING:   At the beginning of Christ Apostolic Church - (CAC), immediately the revival at Oke-Oye, Ilesha began through our late father, the Great Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola, the Church started to spread widely, all over the country almost everyday.  The problem of ministers to work in the Churches planted became apparent.

At the early stage of this Church, our founding fathers used to put people who are interested in God’s work under a senior pastor to train them as students for the period of three to six months before they could be posted to assume duty in Churches.

In “Section B” such students were called “tule” in Yoruba, meaning, learners who are to weed their masters’ farms.  Also, they used to carry the boxes of our forefathers.  In “Section A” such students were called “half leaders;” and after the completion of their studentship of three or six months course, they will be called “leaders.”

After continuation of this programme as it was for many years, our forefathers, the Authorities of the Church and few of the Elders from both “Section A” and “Section B” would meet and deliberate on a uniform kind of training for the Church Ministers throughout the federation.  This prompted the establishment of a Bible College, called “Bible Training College” (BTC) at Ede, in the year 1952.  The first principal for the college was our father Late Pastor D. O. Odubanjo.

INSTITUTION OF CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH MEN ASSOCIATION
Immediately the Bible Training College started lectures, all other methods of teaching or training students by staying with the senior pastors ceased.  The only exceptions left were those following our forefathers, especially Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola.

Instantly, the Christ Apostolic Church Authorities and the Elders in both “Section A” and “Section B” met to deliberate on the emoluments or remunerations of staff and how to cater for students and smooth running of the college.  This made our forefathers, the Authorities agreed with the then elders to institute Society called Christ Apostolic Church Men Association (CACMA) in the year 1952.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF CACMA

(a) Monthly Contribution:  The aim and objective of the institution of this society (CACMA) is to be contributing money (one shilling) monthly for each man (CACMA member) in this church, to be sent to Bible Training College, Ede, to serve the purpose of funding and administering the school.  The money was always sent to the Church Secretariat at Ibadan every month; and the school authority (BTS) used to send representatives to Ibadan to collect their stipend and other expenses.

(b) CAC Printing Press:  As the society (CACMA) was progressing, it occurred to it to establish the CAC Printing Press to facilitate printing of church publications and serve as an investment for the church.  It was accomplished and established at Agege in Lagos.

(c) CAC Bookshop:  The Printing Press objective was achieved.  Again, the CACMA went further to establish a Bookshop at Akure.  The Bookshop did not improve because of staff mismanagement.

THE FIRST CACMA OFFICERS
Without a waste of time, immediately CACMA was instituted, the institutors started to organize officers for the association.  The following are maiden officers:

1. The first CACMA Chairman was PASTOR A. A. HANSON
2. The second Chairman was PASTOR I. D. DEGUN
3. The third Chairman was PASTOR A. O. A. OLUTIMEHIN
Other Chairmen that have directed CACMA are Pastors J. A. Adedeji and D. I. Ojo.  The current CACMA Chairman is Pastor P. O. Bandele.

4. Mr. Alabi from Akure and Pastor S. A. Babatunde from Ile-Ife were good Secretaries of CACMA for many years.

5. Elder D. O. Makanjuola, the Patron of Christ Apostolic Church, Latona, Oshogbo was the CACMA treasurer for thirty-four (34) years.

CACMA MEMBERSHIP:  Since the inception of CACMA, the Authorities and the Elders of Christ Apostolic Church resolved that the eligible and accredited members of this association should be all Christ Apostolic Church Ministers and all married men.

CACMA CURRENT COMMITTEE:  Presently, the Association is embarking on building a gigantic structure for Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary at Ile-Ile in Oshun State.

The building when completed will accommodate about five hundred students (500 students).  CACMA had spent more than “Three Million Naira (N3,000,000.00)on this project work in progress.  Today, CACMA is increasingly growing from strength to strength.  Praise the Lord!

CURRENT OFFICERS

1. Pastor P. O. Bandele  - National Chairman
2. Pastor G. A. Babatope  - National Vice Chairman
3. Pastor L. O. Olajuyin  - National Secretary
4. Elder G. O. Adesoji  - National Vice Secretary
5. Elder E. A. Olayinka  - National Treasurer
6. Elder Bayo Oladosu  - National Financial Secretary
7. Pastor J. A. Olabode  - National Publicity Secretary

NATIONAL PATRONS

1. Pastor EHL Olusheye  - President, CAC Worldwide – First National Patron
2. Pastor DOA Oloye  -  Gen. Supt., CAC Worldwide – Second National Patron
3. Pastor J. Olu Alokan – Gen. Evang., CAC Worldwide – Third National Patron
4. All DCC/Zonal Chairmen are Patrons of Zones/DCC.
5. All District Superintendents are Patrons of Districts.