BIOGRAPHY OF THE CELEBRANT

Pastor Dr. Theophilus Mobolanle Olufolahan Akanbi David was born to the family of Elder Jonathan Akinola Akano Olupayimo and Deaconess Ruth Mojoyinola Olupayimo, both of blessed memory. His father was a civil servant, while his mother was a businesswoman. He was born on Saturday April 23rd 1966 to the family while they were living in Iwo town in the present-day Osun State, Nigeria. Although the family hails from Isundunrin town in the Ejigbo Local Government of Osun State, they had for decades settled and lived in Osogbo

Education

Pastor Bola, as he is fondly called, began his primary education at CAC Primary School Gbonmi Area, Osogbo, completing it in 1977. He proceeded to St. James Secondary Modern School, Ayetoro Area, Osogbo (1977–1979), and later attended Saint Charles Grammar School, Ilesha Road, where he completed his School Certificate as a science student in June 1984. He made his papers at one sitting and got all he needed for furthering his studies as he desired, but destiny had something else for him, full-time ministry! Between 1984 and 1987, he wrestled with the call of God into full-time ministry and the pursuit of his dream (and his parents’ dream) to read medicine. In 1987, he yielded to the call to full-time ministry and got admitted into United Missionary Theological College UMCATC, (now UMCATS) where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology in June 1991. He later earned his Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the same institution in 2010 and 2013 respectively. He also holds additional qualifications in Public Relations and Leadership.

Spiritual Life and Ministry

His spiritual journey began in Christ Apostolic Church Gbonmi Osogbo, when he gave his life to Christ in June 1978 under the preaching of Pst. Dr J. A. Adeyanju of blessed memory. He often recalls the title of the message as ‘ANA WA KO DARA, ONI WA LORI BOTI RI YI, BAWO NI OLA YOO TI RI’ (Our yesterday is bad; our today is as it is; how will tomorrow be?). He got the conviction of calling into the ministry shortly after in the same church via a ministration of Evangelist Daniel A. Balogun. He was revivalist from Ibadan. His message was titled ‘Olorun ran eniyan; Olorun yan eniyan; Olorun ran eniyan nise!’ [God sent a man; God chose a man; God sent a man on an assignment]. On that Sunday in 1979, he felt the conviction of his calling; but this was to become a strong burden of the Lord five years later in 1984, and later his life and destiny pursuit forever. He found himself serving under different fathers from then from his home church, he floated some independent ministry outfits as a zealous young man and with his brothers and friends. This continued until his seminary undergraduate days began in 1987.
It was his Seminary training at UMCATS that brought him again to Ilorin in 1987. He joined CAC Oke Itura, Fate Village as a Sunday School Minister through an invitation of Evang. Sam. Olukosi (a classmate). It was here that he had the privilege of beginning the English Assembly, which later grew to become CAC Chapel of Rest at its permanent site at the University Road Tanke in Ilorin [Shiloh District Headquarters]. Though rigorous and sacrificial, it was an adventurous, evangelistic, and church-planting exploit that lasted 11 years, with a great impact on many lives and good success (1988 to 2000). Pastor Payimo eventually accepted pastoral ordination and ministerial license in Christ Apostolic Church on December 1995.

Rehoboth Ministries Calling

The Lord called him out of his work in the Christ Apostolic Church in February 2000. Though he found it tough to obey the Lord, he finally did and handed the church over to CAC authority at the end of February 2000 to seek the face of the Lord for the next direction. The new mandate was received in his three-month wait upon the Lord after handing over the Chapel of Rest to the Christ Apostolic Church authority. The mandate is FINDING PERMANENT SOLUTION TO DESTINY ISSUES THROUGH THE INSTRUMENTATION OF THE WISDOM OF GOD IN A MYSTERY. The ministry is Rehoboth Christian Ministries International (and/or Rehoboth Royal Covenant Assembly Worldwide). The church arm is Royal Covenant Assembly. The ministry, as of today, is about 26 years old. To the glory of God, God has upheld and blessed the vision, the ministry and the work tremendously. The church has grown with over 12 branches and other outfits – the Rehoboth Royal School, Rehoboth Royal Academy, Rehoboth Ministerial Institute, Rehoboth Prayer Land, Rehoboth Royal Convention Ground and many others, all to the glory of God

His Marriage and Family

Pastor Bola Payimo got married to Ruth Abosede Abimbola (nee Oyedokun) 28 years ago on April 4, 1998. The solemnization took place at UMCATC Chapel, Ilorin. The marriage has remained standing as a testimony to date, and God has blessed them with four wonderful children: Rhema Olariike, Emmanuel Praise Akinsola, Wonder T. Favour, and Wonder K. Joshua. He and his family are serving the Lord and will serve Him forever in Jesus’ name.
The life of Pastor Bola Payimo (and his family) is nothing but a testament of God’s grace and His faithfulness unto someone whom Satan would have wasted but has found God’s mercy, favour, and help to date! To God be all the glory forever. Halleluiah!