The Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, is set to bid farewell to two of its most esteemed leaders, Bishop David Olatunji Abioye and Bishop Thomas Aremu, who will retire from active service in October 2024.
Their retirement follows the guidelines of the Liberation Commission, also known as the Mandate, which serves as the church’s constitution.
Bishop David Abioye’s farewell service will be held in Durumi, Abuja, on Friday, October 18, 2024, while Bishop Thomas Aremu’s valedictory service will take place at Living Faith Church Basorun in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
Bishop Abioye, one of the pioneering pastors, led one of the first five branches of the ministry, established in 1987.
He became the youngest bishop in the church’s history when he was consecrated at 32 in 1993. Bishop Aremu, a former accountant, transitioned into full-time ministry after a successful career in finance.
He is the last remaining bishop among the seven consecrated in November 1999 and is highly respected for his contributions to the church’s growth.
This marks the first public celebration of pastoral retirements within the church. As per the updated Mandate, the retirement age, previously set at 60, has been reduced to 58.
However, the church’s founder, Bishop David Oyedepo, retains the privilege of lifelong service, while future leaders will be limited to one or two seven-year terms, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.