The new headquarters of Deeper Life Bible Church at Gbagada, Lagos is finally set for commissioning by the church on Tuesday, April 24.
The 30,000-capacity church project constructed by Cappa and D’alberto was begun in 2003 and had been under construction for about 15 years.
The Gbagada project, as it is widely called by members of the church, is estimated to be valued over N5 billion (about $16 million) and is believed to be the fourth-largest church auditorium in the world.
However, the church has said it is not particular about making records with the size of the new worship centre or the amount spent, rather it is more concerned about turning men’s heart to God and reaching out to the younger generations with a befitting edifice that is appealing to all and capable of winning souls for Christ.
William F. Kumuyi, General Superintendent (GS) of Deeper Life, who is noted for his unwavering stand on holiness and righteous living, sources in the church say, will be fulfilled having many young members of his congregation and admirers of his holiness message remain with the church rather than leave for things not related to the doctrine or spiritual standpoint of the church.
With the newly-built auditorium, church faithful who are passionate about their eternal and spiritual welfare can now worship with unlimited access to life-transforming, systematic and expository teachings of the man of God, congregating weekly in an environment that the church is noted for away from the make-shift approach the church adopted for its weekly services while the project lasted, the sources say.
Meanwhile, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) to its host community and in response to public outcry and concerns raised by residents on the traffic impact of the new auditorium, Deeper Christian Life Ministry constructed a multi-million naira flyover bridge in Gbagada.
While the church provided the funding for the project, the Lagos State government helped with the technical support and traffic management while the project lasted.
The flyover was constructed alongside a four-level motor park for worshippers coming into the cathedral to park their vehicles without interrupting the flow of traffic within the community.
After the inauguration of the new bridge, traffic light and multi-layered car park to ease the traffic situation of commuters in Gbagada, a cross-section of the residents lauded the initiative of the church for being proactive to the plights of the host community, and its environs.
Deji Adegbite, a community leader in the area, said the bridge would make life easier for the residents, and expressed optimism that it would positively impact on the economy of the host community.
Remilekun Bamgboye, a trader in the community, said with Deeper Life’s infrastructural intervention within the Gbagada area, doing business would be a bit easier as a result of the improved traffic situation.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held earlier to sensitise members of the community before the commencement of the flyover, Olukayode Onasanya, a Community Development Association (CDA) chairman in Aroromi/Sawmill, Gbagada, lauded the project but lamented the poor state of inner routes in the community. However, his fears and concerned were taken into consideration by the church and its project developer, Julius Berger Construction Company, with the newly commissioned bridge.
SEYI JOHN SALAU
