The Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, is set to bid farewell to two of its most prominent leaders, Bishop David Olatunji Abioye and Bishop Thomas Aremu, who will retire from service this October 2024.
Their retirement aligns with the operational guidelines of the Liberation Commission, commonly referred to as the Mandate, which serves as the church’s constitution.
Bishop David Abioye’s farewell ceremony will take place in Durumi, Abuja, on Friday, October 18, 2024, while Bishop Thomas Aremu’s valedictory service will be held at Living Faith Church Basorun in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
Bishop Abioye has been a pivotal figure in the church’s growth since its inception, having taken charge of one of the first five branches established in 1987. His consecration in 1993 at the Garden of Faith in Barnawa, Kaduna, made him the youngest bishop in the history of the church at just 32 years old.
Bishop Aremu, who transitioned from a successful career as an accountant to full-time ministry, is notable for being the last remaining bishop among the seven consecrated in November 1999 at the Garden of Faith in Kaduna. His significant contributions to the church’s development have earned him deep respect within the congregation.
This occasion is particularly significant as it marks the first time Living Faith Church will publicly celebrate the retirement of its pastors.
According to the revised Mandate, the retirement age for bishops has been adjusted from 60 to 58. While the Founder, Bishop David Oyedepo, retains the privilege of lifelong service, future church leaders will be limited to one or two seven-year terms, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.