To Apostolic Faith saints worldwide,
It has long been my prayer that God would reveal the identity of my successor and the timing for when the next leadership transition should take place. Over the past few years, the identity of that successor has become more and more apparent to me. Furthermore, I believe the mantle of Apostolic Faith global oversight now falls on one to be named shortly.
In a meeting of the Apostolic Faith Headquarters Board of Directors, I proposed that the Superintendent General role be passed to a successor, whom I named. In addition to myself, our Board is comprised of Brothers Bob Downey, Bill McKibben, Tim DeBusk, John Baros. They each enthusiastically approved the proposal. This appointment will take effect after our formal installation in a few moments.
During our minister and spouse meeting yesterday morning, I shared this recommended path forward and solicited their support. They also wholly endorsed the appointment. I will ask the same of you in a moment. We ministers are united in our belief that we have the right man to take my place as Superintendent General, and that this is the right time to appoint him.
Before continuing, please allow me to first convey my sincere appreciation to all of you for your prayerful support of me and my family over the past many years. Serving in this capacity has allowed Debbie and me to meet and work with the most beautiful people on the planet—all of you here, and so many other Apostolic Faith saints elsewhere around the world. We are deeply indebted to you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you very much.
Thanks also to our children, their spouses, and our eight grandchildren. The support and joy they have brought to our lives has been a tremendous personal blessing.
Finally, thanks to Debbie. She had no idea what she was getting into when she married me. Of course, nor did I. We initially met and became acquainted while serving the Lord in our nearby Dallas church. We later married in Dallas and our two children were born while we lived there. Debbie has faithfully served the Lord by my side all these years. She has been the consummate wife, mother, and grandmother. Additionally, her common sense and unassuming manner have been instructive and beneficial to us all.
Most of all, we give thanks to God for His help and for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us in His service. Our hearts are full of gratitude to Him.
Today it is time to transition to the next leader. My firm conviction, supported by the ministry, is that the mantle of Apostolic Faith worldwide oversight now falls upon Brother Olusola Adesope. He has agreed to pick it up and to carry it forward. Brother Sola meets the Bible criteria for church leadership, which includes the high standard of ethical conduct he has exemplified for decades. The same can be said of Sister Tolu, to whom he has been married for over twenty-three years.
Before marriage, they each lived for the Lord from the time they were saved at young ages. God has given them three children, Florence, Felicia, and Josiah. They too are saved and faithfully live for the Lord.
Brother Sola will guide this work forward in a manner that honors the sound Bible doctrine we have stood for since Sister Florence Crawford settled in Portland not long after the 1906 Azusa Street outpouring. I believe God brought him to North America and subsequently to Pullman, Washington, many years ago for such a time as this.
Transition details have been in motion ever since Brother Sola and I met privately in Pullman some time ago. We discussed the matter then and the two of us have communicated nearly every day since, usually multiple times.
From here, I remain willing to serve as he deems best. The entire Adesope family has my whole-hearted support and prayerful backing.
The 2018 appointment of a Portland pastor was made in part with this eventuality in mind. Brother Sola intends to continue that approach. He will work closely with Brother Dave Lambert on Portland church matters, the same as I have done. The timing of their move to Portland is yet to be determined, but Brother Sola begins his role as Superintendent General immediately.
I am very excited about this appointment. Brother Sola is better equipped to take this work into the next generation as Jesus tarries. He is already widely known and highly regarded in Apostolic Faith circles worldwide. Our work will develop further and grow stronger on his watch.
Reading now from Joshua 1, we are reminded that God’s assurance to Joshua back then is His promise to Brother Sola now. We read, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:5-8).
Following the statement, Reverend Lee invited the congregation to show their support for Reverend Adesope’s appointment by standing, and they demonstrated unanimous support. After everyone was again seated, the Board of Directors, representing the congregation, gathered around Reverend Adesope and laid hands on him as all prayed together for God to help him and his family in every way as he takes on this new role.
Then Reverend Lee walked with his successor to the pulpit and stated, “With gratitude to God and with thanks to all of you, I present to you Brother Olusola Adesope.” The congregation responded with a resounding “Amen!” and applause for God’s choice.
