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The Life and Times of Major Abiodun Babatunde Lawrence
Abiodun Babatunde Lawrence (1898-1943) Founder of Holy Flock of Christ Worldwide

Aladura (the prayer people) is the collective name given to the movement that strongly believes in divine healing, vision and dreams, deliverance from Satan and spiritual bondage through belief in God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the power of fervent prayer, fasting and consecration

The founding of Holy Flock of Christ is intricately linked to the history of the founder; Major Abiodun Babatunde Lawrence. So to write the history of Holy Flock of Christ, we must first start with the history of A.B. Lawrence. It is this Aladura movement, a phenomenon of spiritual awakening witnessed at the turn of the 20th century in Lagos and it’s environs in Nigeria that the Lord is calling Major Abiodun Babatunde Lawrence to serve in.

Birth: Abiodun Babatunde Lawrence was born in Lagos, Nigeria on the 25th of December 1898. (Hence the name Abiodun). His father hailed from Ikole Ekiti but was raised by Brazilians in Lagos. His father died in 1923. His mother was originally from the Ijebu people of Western Nigeria. His mother traded in selling yams; hence she was fondly called by those who knew her as “Iya Onisu” (A female Yam seller). His mother died in Sunday, 8th of November, 1931 in 49, Kakawa Street, Lagos Nigeria. Childhood: (1898-1904)	When A.B.Lawrence was an infant, it was revealed to his parent that this child will be a leader in the future; and that a lot of people will be followers of him. He developed up with his peers gently but he developed the habit of viewing everything “spiritually” right from his youth. It was without question that the hand and sign of the Lord is with this young child. Education: (1904-1910)	A.B.Lawrence attended St. Peters Primary School in Faji, Lagos. He was a brilliant student, always outperforming his peers in his studies. This was testified to by teachers and student alike. Daily Secular Work: (1910-1932)	When A.B.Lawrence graduated from school, he was admitted as an apprentice to the C.M.S Printing Press in Broad Street, Lagos in order to learn the art and trade of Printing. Printing was a big thing in Lagos, Nigeria in the 1920s. He graduated in this trade with distinction and he worked for a while as a printer in the C.M.S Printing Press, Lagos. He later joined the Nigerian Railway Printing Press in Ebute-Meta to work as a printer till 1932. He left all earthly vocation to answer and focus on the spiritual call in 1932. This was a fulfillment of prophecies of visioners that “earthly vocation will be taken away from the Leader A.B.Lawrence so that he can focus on his true call; Spiritual Work”. And it was so. Interaction with His Family:	A.B.Lawrence is person that has love for all people. It is no surprise that A.B.Lawrence exhibits this love among his folks and relations. By love, goodwill and his philanthropic efforts, he was able to render help and assistance to all his family in all manners, ways, shape and form. Also he uses his gentle words and actions to pacify things among his family when need be. Divine Worship:	A.B.Lawrence is a Christian, and he worshipped and served regularly in St. Peter’s Cathedral in Faji, Lagos; a church within the Anglican Communion. He was a lover of Divine Worship and he worships the Lord with his heart mind and soul in his place of devotion. He was also a good worker in the parish. Not lazy. Because of this he held the following post:							1. Sidesman 2.	Executive Member; Young men Christian League 3.	Executive Member; Young men Christian Union 4.	Sunday School Teacher He performed all the above duties faithfully without regard to man. He also made it a habit to visit prison every Sunday to visit prisoners and feed them with the Word of God so that they can be born again in the Lord, and be better assimilated into society after they are released by cultivating good works. He did this dutifully with his peers at the time: Mr. Ogunmefun of the C.M.S Bookshop and Mr. E.J Fasoro. All the above revealed that A.B. Lawrence had received the steward’s call to work in the Lord’s vineyard right from his youth. He also works closely with the elders of the church because the anointment of God is on him. JOINING THE SACRED MOVEMENT OF CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM SOCIETY Abiodun Bbabatunde Lawrence was entreated by Elder W.A. Akinyemi (Dr. W.A.M Akinyemi’s father) in 1926 to join the Sacred Movement of Cherubim and Seraphim Society in the city of Lagos. Cherubim and Seraphim founder was founded by Pa Moses Orimolade. It was a surprise for his contemporaries to find A.B. Lawrence joining such a movement. It was for the peasants to join such a movement, not a person of A.B. Lawrence’s caliber. He was highly educated and had status in society. But he was so much gifted in spiritual matter that he easily excelled in this new movement. A.B. Lawrence was a founding member of a prayer warrior group within the Aladura movement itself, charged with prayer ministry. They were divinely chosen and handpicked by the Pa. Moses Orimolade. As the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ is to Jesus Christ, so also this core prayer group is to Pa Moses Orimolade. They assisted Orimolade in all matters of special prayers and spiritual warfare. Also they are the inner core of the original Aladura movement. These seven Leaders with Moses Orimolade are responsible for the spiritual well-being and progress of the Cherubim and Seraphim movement. The leaders are named below:

1.                Leader E.A Davies (Father to Lawyer H.O Davies) 2.Leader H.A Phillips (Later became the Baba Aladura						3. Leader A.B. Lawrence (Founder of Holy Flock of Christ)						4. Leader C.B. Olumuyiwa (Trusted Assistant to A.B. Lawrence)					5.Leader D.K Idowu (Always the Truth bearer without fear)						6.	 Leader J.A Phillips (Later became the Baba Aladura 7.	Leader J.O Adefope (Extra-ordinary Visioneer and 2nd Spiritual Leader of Holy Flock of Christ)

By the enablement of the Holy Spirit and due to the special anointing given to A.B. Lawrence in the discernment of spiritual things; A.B. Lawrence have a special and close relationship with Moses Orimolade. He was positioned as the head of the Visioneers and Seers and it was Moses Orimolade through divine injunction that added the title “Major” to his name. Hence he was always referred to as “Major Abiodun Babatunde Lawrence”.

In October 1926, A.B. Lawrence had a prophetic revelation to be revealed in the future to the whole world, but this will not be made known until 1932 by the establishment of Holy Flock of Christ Organization. In 1928, a star was well seen by all over the residence of A.B. Lawrence in 49, Kakawa Street, Lagos. This star was manifested as a mighty sign amongst the Cherubim and Seraphim movement that even Moses Orimolade has to go and see. Also another star was visible in the same place shortly after the Holy Flock of Christ was established. This was visible and witnessed by many people at 10:30 p.m. on the 12th of December 1933. These are signs showing and attesting to the divine nature of the work that Major A.B. Lawrence was doing and will do. In November 1928, shortly after the yearly Convention/Revival of the Cherubim and Seraphim Society, there arose a big disagreement over matters arising within the Cherubim and Seraphim movement. This disparity led to the first schism within the movement. As a result of disagreement with Moses Orimolade, in February 4th 1929, Captain Abiodun Akinsowon splited from the movement and started her own society; another variation of the Aladura movement; at Daddy Alaja Street in Lagos, Nigeria. But the seven leaders mentioned before stood with the Baba Aladura, Moses Orimolade. Unfortunately, the reason for the disagreement was not dealt with by Moses Orimolade. And this is going to lead to further rifts in the movement.

Mission to Okun Ibeju in 1929: On the 7th of February 1929, three days after Captain Abiodun established her branch of the Cherubim and Seraphim movement, Baba Aladura, Pa. Moses Orimolade sent the seven leaders to Okun Ibeju to pray on matters arising, particularly matters that caused disagreements and contentions in the movement. Also it is at these kinds of prayer meetings that Lord will speak back to His people through visioneers and seers as to the solution to the besetting problem. (Okun Ibeju, about 10 miles from Lagos next to the Atlantic Ocean, is a hallowed ground, like a retreat in which prayers could be offered without the normal distractions faced in the city). These are the three Prayer Points given by the Baba Aladura for the seven Leaders to supplicate on: 1.                 Prayer for Leader Abiodun Lawrence safety (Safety from what?) 2.                 Prayer for Ijesa for deliverance from adversaries 3.                 Prayer of safety for Afonja (Safety from what? Who is Afonja)

We can only conjectured here that the prayer for Major A.B. Lawrence was just a ruse to win Lawrence to the Baba Aladura’s side over the matters in contention; and the prayer for Afonja and Ijesa will results in a vision castigating those not on Afonja and Ijesa’s side.

But these are the messages the Lord sent through Major A.B. Lawrence in a vision at that prayer meet:

On prayer for Leader Abiodun Lawrence safety: MAJOR: “Do not believe in gainsaying. Do not desist in prayer; night and day, due to dangers that threaten the body. Do not look for help from people. Only look unto the Lord. The Lord that brings people to the wilderness will also empower his people. The cross cannot be parked somewhere temporarily, it must be carried now. Be ready to tell the truth to Moses Orimolade and all members of the Cherubim and Seraphim movement. Be ready to fight for the truth only, because only by doing so can you dwell with the Lord. There is an eye that never sleeps and it sees the entire secret thing in the heart. Do not have any association with a fruitless tree in the daytime or nighttime.” On prayer for Ijesa for deliverance from adversaries MAJOR: “ Layinka Ijesa behavior can be likened to a dyed multicolored cloth (adire). There will be peace for him everywhere. But whenever he joins the Cherubim and Seraphim movement, there will be divine injunction from above to introduce fights, contentions, and disagreements in to the movement. Be it known to Moses Orimolade that whenever he brings Layinka Ijesa to join the movement, the Cherubim and Seraphim movement will be taken from him or he will be called to be with the Lord. Let Moses Orimolade know that the staff/rod given to him is a lighting staff/rod; care must be taken so that an impure shadow from an unclean being is not allowed to pollute or diffuse this lighting rod/staff. A lion was seen to the right while a hut built with leaves is seen to the left in the vision; then a voice was heard asking, “Can the lion dwell in this house that is built with leaves”? Because the heavenly host working with Moses Orimolade are holy beings, let it be known to Moses Orimolade that the cup/vessel in your hand is to be used to for holy things, not vice versa. If the cup/vessel is used rightly, the cup will be filled with holy things abundantly. Remember Shadrach, Mesach, Abednego, John the Baptist, Elijah and Moses are forever dwelling with the Lord. On prayer for Afonja safety: Major: Whomever deals deceitfully cannot dwell with the Lord. Afonja may be counted with the Cherubim and Seraphim movement of this world, but he does not belong nor is he counted among the Cherubim and Seraphim movement of heaven above, because he does not bear the fruit of repentance. He joined the movement without leaving his worldly ways or consecrating himself. The idol of Egypt is still in his heart and the man is not looking for a way of peace. He has replaced the holy mantle covering the Altar of God with an unholy filthy rag. It is seen in the vision that various things like black goat leg bones, cutlass used in pig’s slaughter, dark strings used in animal’s intestine cleaning, and black stones all together collected are given to Afonja to carry on his head. Five houses were made in sand, houses built with foot impression in sand. These animals are depicted in the houses: Fox (Kolokolo), Water-bird (Osin), Pig (Elede), Hawk (Awodi) and Scorpion (Akeke). Let Moses Orimolade enlightened the work of each animal depicted above to the seven leaders undertaking this prayer meeting. Remember that Zechariah, the priest saw one of these animals while he was serving in the temple; also imagine Solomon using one of these animals in the purification and consecration of the temple when it was completed. Thus concluded the special prayer meeting and the seven leaders came back to deliver these messages to Moses Orimolade.

Unfortunately, these divine messages are rejected and not heeded by Moses Orimolade, thus leading to another rift in the Aladura movement. The seven leaders departs from Moses Orimolade and thus started meeting under the auspices of the “The Holy Cherubim and Seraphim Aladura Movement” with Leader E.A Davies as the Chairman of the Executive and Major A. B Lawrence as the Spiritual Leader. However the movement will not last for a long time, it was splited again when others did not listen to the divine messages from God. God thus commanded Major A.B. Lawrence to leave the movement.

WORK IN THE HOLY CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM ALADURA MOVEMENT. Major A. B. Lawrence is the leader of his contemporaries in this movement. It is known surely that the Lord is with him and all work been done by Moses Orimolade is in conjunction with A.B Lawrence. He is an unparalleled visioneer in the movement and worldwide. His visions and messages is to the point and accurate. He speaks with angelic host consciously and he receives divine messages from heaven above continually. Some of the work that he implemented as the Spiritual Leader in the Holy Cherubim and Seraphim Aladura Movement are as follows:								1. Spiritual Leadership of the Movement 2.                 Spiritual Preparation 3.                 Revival/Convention Robes Revelation/Preparation 4.                 Visioneers Oversight and Administration 5.                 Interpretations of Visions and Dreams 6.                 Prayer Warfare; in healing ministrations 7.                 Words of exhortations to members. His words are divine messages. 8.                 Weekly and Annual Divine Messages delivery. These messages are results of his direct interaction with Angelic beings given him messages to mankind. Major Lawrence is gifted with the knowledge of what the duty of each section in the movement is. These is a reflection of the duties perform by these section in heaven and he performs this job dutifully in the education of each section. Unfortunately, divine messages are not adhered to. People want to return to fads and fashion. The voice of the Lord is rejected. Holiness is not being practiced anymore, even among the leaders. Shameful things are being done by majority of all. Love of the flesh is overcoming spiritual love. Because of this, God commanded A.B. Lawrence to leave the movement. On the 20th of February, 1932, A.B. Lawrence went on his annual prayer tour to the Olorunkole Hill, near Ibadan, Oyo State. These are the prayer points of that day: 1.                 Prayer that all nations should be born again spiritually. 2.                 Prayer that spiritual worship should not become a thing of a past in the world Divine messages given to him at that prayer was printed and distributed to all free of charge after the prayer. Also this message was reprinted and redistributed to all in remembrance of him a few years after his passing away to glory. On his return from Olorunkole hill he went straight to Ibeju beach where he fasted and prayed forty days and night throughout the Lenten period of 1932. On his return from Ibeju beach he went to the Cherubim and Seraphim movement to deliver this message to them. The message is that the Lord wants him to disassociate himself from The Holy Cherubim and Seraphim Aladura Movement. This was delivered after the Wednesday Meeting/Service on 13th of April 1932. Despondency and sadness fell upon a lot people after hearing this message, but some show an I-don’t-care attitude to this message. But it should be noted that those with the Spirit of the Lord vowed in their heart to follow this man to anywhere he is going. Three leaders from the movement that decides to follow him are these: 1.                 Leader C.B. Olumuyiwa 2.                 Leader D. K. Idowu 3.                 Leader J.O. Adefope A lot of the V.I.Ps of those days who were members of the movement decides to follow A.B. Lawrence after the announcement, because they saw the mark of the Lord on him and they do testify that the Spirit of the Lord is using this man. We do not have enough space to enumerate their names, but they are surely known to Jesus Christ and their names are surely written in the Book of Life. Also we have a lot of people joining him after this announcement was made.

The Foundation of Holy Flock of Christ The Foundation of Holy Flock of Christ is a mystery to all people. Reason? Prior to the foundation of this Flock, a lot of people had this question in their mind: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” And the Lord is answering them by: “Come and see”. Let the words of the Most Venerable A.B. Lawrence speaks to us as he wrote down to us the first report about the founding of this Holy Flock of Christ: “We prayed for 36 days. On the dawn of 15th of May 1932, after the Morning Prayer, 321 names were voluntarily added to the register of this Holy Flock of Christ. In the evening prayer meeting, the Almighty God surrounds us with His rainbow. Two women went into labor in the morning and three christening/naming ceremony were performed. In the morning service of 15th of May 1932, the name of this organization was given from above as HOLY FLOCK OF CHRIST. The glory sign appears on children, adult male and female. The children’s and female glory sign is a lot. Forty days after the PENTECOST day, the liturgy, rules and regulations to be used in this organization was given to us from above, which we are using now presently in the Flock.”

These are the address in which we first congregate as Holy Flock of Christ: 1.                 49 Kakawa Street, Lagos. (House of A.B. Lawrence) 2.                 38 Martin Street, Lagos (Elder J. Ayo-Coker’s house; Cherubim Leader) 3.                 176 Bamgbose Street, Lagos (Snr.Spiritual Elder C.B. Olumuyiwa’ House) 4.                 23 Koseh Street, Lagos (Elder D.K. Idowu’s House) 5.                 3. Balogun Street, Lagos (Elder J.O. Adefope’s House)

Ebutte Metta Branch was not established until some time later. Wednesday Revival meeting was first held on Odunlami Street, but because of “the fear of the Jews” it was moved to 49 Kakawa Street, Lagos. Saturday Night vigil was regularly held. When the people of the Cherubim and Seraphim movement saw the glory of God being manifested in Holy Flock of Christ, it becomes desirous for them to join. On 13th of August 1941, such request was brought to Most Ven. A.B. Lawrence. A.B Lawrence indicated to them that for such a request to be honored, some corrections on doctrines have to be undertaken. These are: 1.                 Corrections on visions 2.                 Corrections on Praying 3.                 Corrections on Dreams and Dreamers 4.                  Corrections on Spiritual Workers within the movement 5.                 Going to Iju has to stop 6.                 Special Victory Prayer sessions has to stop

A reply was not received on this request, but some people join him individually. So let it be known to all that the mandate given from above to Major A.B. Lawrence is that this Holy Flock of Christ should remain separate from any Aladura movement. Combination with other churches is not possible. Happenings after leaving the Aladura movement. From the time of 14th of April 1932 after leaving the Holy Cherubim and Seraphim Movement, daily Morning Prayer is being held at his residence of 49 Kakawa Street, Lagos. His injunction to people was “Whosoever wants to come can come” This daily prayer was held till the 14th of May 1932. The prayers are these: 1.      Prayer that all souls should become spiritually born-again before that great Pentecost day arrives 2. Prayer that true spiritual worship will not become a thing of the past in the four corners of the world. 3. Prayer that JESUS CHRIST himself should breathe on us anew, according to His promises in the Gospel.

Spiritually conscious people make it a point of duty to attend this daily morning prayers and they are being rewarded with the blessings of the Holy Spirit “breathing” in their daily affairs. This is being done in preparation for the “Big Pentecost Sunday” ahead, unbeknownst to us that this is day the name of this organization was going to be revealed. The name is being already alluded to by visioneers in revealed vision at this daily prayer meet. Some of the visioneers saw a “CIRCLE” in vision, as a reference to “FLOCK”. But it has been alluded to from the inception that this is a ‘NEW FLOCK”. It is a thing of wonder that there is a unanimous agreement among all visioneers and dreamers on the revealed name given to this new organization; HOLY FLOCK OF CHRIST”. One of the visioneers of those days, a gentleman by the name of Emmanuel McCauley, who later became a Bishop in his own church in Odi Olowo, Mushin, Lagos, was a witness and one the people that confirms this.

Campus Square. It was at these daily prayer meetings that A.B Lawrence made the announcement that there will be a special meeting/service of this new gathering in Campus Square, Lagos at dawn, 5:30 a.m. on Pentecost Sunday, May 15th 1932, a day in which we remember the sending forth of the Holy Spirit on the disciples. It started raining on 3:00 a.m. and we cannot help but wonder that this has been prophesied earlier by Most Ven. A.B.Lawrence that; “ Rain will be an obstacle for a lot of people in attending this special service”, and it was so. It was a heavy torrential tropical rain that it did disturbs a lot of normal conveyance from place to place. The name “HOLY FLOCK OF CHRIST” was revealed and appended to this organization on that day. And the sign that attests to this is given from the mouth of A.B. Lawrence: “The glory sign appears on children, adult male and female. The children’s and female sign are a lot”. The morning service was held in Campus Square that day. And after the service everybody present retires to Major A.B. Lawrence house on 49, Kakawa Street, Lagos to register their name in this new “Holy Flock of Christ” Organization. The number of people registered that day is 321. These are the names of the registrar: 1.                 Leader J.O Adefope 2.                 Mr. G.A Martins 3.                 Mr. Hector Labinjo 4.                 Mr. J.A Bajulaiye 5.                 Mr. J.O Osinbowale (the present Spiritual Leader, Holy Flock of Christ) 6.                 Mr. J.O Erinle

Joy indescribable fills the hearts of those who registered their names on this day, just as passersby on Kakawa Street were filled with wonderment and curiosity. Also as an additional signs that was given is that two women that were pregnant start to labor in childbirth immediately after their names have been written down and three naming ceremony were done on the same day as the first naming ceremony in this flock. In tHe evening of the same day, 15th of May 1932, a unified sign was present in the sky when we are all with one accord present for the evening service. This sign is appears like when things are unified with a circle, which was the way it appears over Campus Square. And this assures all present once more that the hand of Jesus Christ is on this new union and that He is indeed the head of this Flock. These are the prayers offered in that evening service: 1.     That Spiritual worship will not become a thing of the past in the four corners of the world. 2.     That all nations should become spiritually born- again

The spiritual message to all of us that evening was that this Holy Flock of Christ would be made a covenant to the world if all of us members are spiritually and heavenly minded. A revelation was then made with the Holy Flock Christ that “As the Almighty God has sworn with Abraham, the next entity He is swearing again with is Holy Flock of Christ”

Appointment of Officers On the 21st of May 1933, when the first anniversary thanksgiving service of this newly formed organization is being celebrated; Major A.B. Lawrence in his capacity as the Spiritual Leader of the organization appointed officers and trustees to the following positions: 1.                 Mr. C.B. Olumuyiwa was appointed to post of Senior Spiritual Elder (SSE) 2.                 Mr. D.K Idowu was appointed to post of Spiritual Elder (SE) 3.                 Mr. J.O Adefope was appointed to post of Spiritual Elder (SE) 4.                 Mr. L.I. Gabriel was appointed to post of Spiritual Elder (SE) 5.                 Mr. J. Ayo-Coker was appointed to post of Spiritual Elder (SE) 6.                 Mr. M.A. Thomas was appointed to post of Spiritual Elder (SE) 7.                 Mr. T.A. Oyesanya was appointed to post of Superintendent 8.                 Mr. E.O. Ayodele was appointed to post of Superintendent 9.                 Mr. S.I. Ogunfowora was appointed to post of Superintendent 10.             Mr. J.O.Fakeye was appointed to post of Superintendent 11.             Mr. M.I.Oje was appointed to post of Superintendent 12.             Mr. F.A. Okutade was appointed to post of Superintendent 13.             Mr. M.O Osisanya was appointed to post of Superintendent 14.             Mr. J.O Onagoruwa was appointed to post of Superintendent 15.             Mr. G.A. Martins was appointed to post of Superintendent 16.             Mr. J.O. Richards was appointed to post of Superintendent 17.             Mr. E.A. Macaulay was appointed to post of Assistant Superintendent 18.             Mr. J.A. Abodunrin was appointed to post of Assistant Superintendent 19.             Mr. James. O. Taiwo was appointed to post of Assistant Superintendent 20.             Mr. Theophilus Akin was appointed to post of Assistant Superintendent 21.             Mr. P.A. Odutade was appointed to post of Assistant Superintendent 22.	 Mr. S.M. Odusanya was appointed to post of Assistant Superintendent 23.             Mr. S.S.Aiyelabola was appointed to post of Assistant Superintendent 24.             Mr. Samuel S. Cdumbu was appointed to the post of Deacon 25.             Ms. Sarian Fiyakola Taiwo was a appointed to the post of Deaconess.

Evangelical Tour. On the 29th of August 1932, Major A.B. Lawrence in his post as the Spiritual Leader of the Holy Flock of Christ Organization begins the first Evangelical Tour in this organization. Accompanying him was Mr. J.O Osinbowale. Their first port of call is Epe. They were joined on this tour on the 1st of September 1932 by Ms Emily Ogunlana and Ms. Elizabeth Adefope. Also shortly later they were joined by Ms. E.O Olumuyiwa, Ms Joanna Talabi and Ms Dorcas Talabi. From Epe, they proceeded to Atijere, then to Ibadan, Fiditi and Odogbolu. They returned back to Epe then proceeded again the second time to Atijere, then to Ikoya, Peregun and eventually landed in Okitipupa. Their pilgrimage is witnessed to by mighty works of healing and wonders being performed from their hands. The people of Epe, Atijere and Okititpupa testified to the power of anointing on Major A.B. Lawrence. It was also witnessed to by people of the said environs that A.B. Lawrence is unsurpassed compared to other “Leaders” in the same area. Unsurpassed in bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ and all the attending signs and wonders that accompany such activities. The evangelical party returned to Lagos on the 17th of October, 1932 and a report of the evangelical tour activities was prepared and read by Mr. J O Osinbowale to all members of the Holy Flock of Christ on the following Wednesday Service. It was during this first evangelical tour that Senior Spiritual Elder C.B. Olumuyiwa started the arrangement about buying the site of the present HFC headquarters. This is done because Major A.B. Lawrence has been advocating for this for a long time warning everybody that in the future his house at 9 Kakawa Street will not be large enough to accommodate all the projected future members of the HFC organization. Considerable amount of time has been spent on the search for this site, physically and spiritually. Major A.B Lawrence was constant in prayer enquiring about the site while C.B.Olumuyiwa spearheaded the physical search for a land within the city of Lagos. All this effort comes to fruition when the Lord eventually provided 45 Okepopo Street for HFC use and it was seen in vision that the site was cleansed and consecrated seven times before it can be used generally by the congregation. On Holy Michael’s day, the 29th of September 1933, all members of the Holy Flock of Christ paraded; with fanfare, jubilation, songs and dance, from 49 Kakawa Street to 45 Okepopo Street, the new location of our House of Prayer. Thus the Holy Michael’s day Anniversary of that year was held in this new location. The Lord also made a new covenant with Major A.B. Lawrence on that powerful and fateful day. FULL TIME CALL TO THE MINISTRY AND SUBMISSION TO GOD Major A.B. Lawrence totally submitted to the call of God, came to sojourn and dwell in the House of Prayer, 45 Okepopo Street on the 13th of February 1934 as a full time Minister and he did not return to his own house until the call of the Lord to come home in the month of October 1943. A period of almost 10 years. He dwells in this House of Prayer amidst rain or sunshine, in heat or cold, amidst plenty of food and no food. He is always full of prayer and fasting for the Holy Flock of Christ and the entire membership, Nigeria, the whole continent of Africa and the World. He always have words of comfort to the downtrodden. He physically gives out the food meant for him to those in need. He exemplifies the example of a Christian steward by letting the lost see Jesus Christ in him by the way he lived. He is an example of how a Christian earns his star according to Daniel: And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12: 3 In all this year of sojourning in the House of Prayer, he regarded all members of the Holy Flock of Christ as his brothers and sisters in the Lord. He became Fathers for the fatherless. Helped the widows. Have words of comfort for the sad. He rejoices with those who are joyful and have a heartfelt empathy for those who were smitten with misfortunes. He actually will find a way to turn your misfortune into good news by praying or actually given you funds to help. He assists the members with fasting and praying. He does not gloat in your downfall but He does rejoices with you in your success and always thank the Lord for you in his prayers. He prays for the pregnant and the sick. He provides clothing for those who are near-naked and he is always ready to receive a stranger into his abode without asking for a lodging fee. This was in continuation to his work in Kakawa Street. He has been given the mandate in October 1926 to engage in the redemption of souls. And because of this, his house is an open door for anybody that needs physical and spiritual assistance. He freely prayed for people without demanding fees. He assisted the sick without regards to his own health and without demand any remunerations. The writer of this history was an eye witness of all this and he personally on one occasion has to wash seven pots that were used in preparation of food for the sick. This was in 1931 at Kakawa Street. Major Lawrence does not get angry. He is always calm. He is not vengeful. He is always forgiving. He became Christ-like in his ways, works and deeds. He lives the example in the book of Ephesians: With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Ephesians 4:2 Major Lawrence used Agape love to administer and oversaw the flock the Lord has given to his care, feeding them with love and the Word of God. He does not rules over the flock with strength. He obeys the Word of God spoken to Peter in the scripture: The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. I Peter 5: 1-4 This was the way Major Lawrence lived. Using the Word of God as guidance both day and night to administer the flock that was entrusted to his care.

DISASSOCIATION FROM THE SACRED SOCIETY OF THE CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM MOVEMENT: On the 20th of February, 1932, Major A.B. Lawrence request a leave of absence from his secular job in order to go and seek the Lord’s face in prayer upon Olorunkole’s hill, in the vicinity of Ibadan. This are the prayer points of that day: 1.	That all nations might become born-again in the Lord 2.	That “spiritual worship” of Jesus Christ may not be a thing of the past in the four corners of the world.

The message that resulted from the visions seen in the prayer meeting of that day was printed for all to see and to be distributed. (See Appendix 1)

Upon returning from this trip, he went straight to his house in Kakawa Street and he instructed Mr. S. I. Ogunfowora to accompany him to Ibeju beach. A call that he followed without hesitating and the Lord later reward him because S.I. Ogunfowora later became the overseer of this Holy Flock of Christ before being called to the Lord at the age of 94 years. He sent a message to his wife that “ The call of the Lord came to him suddenly amidst his sojourn in the wilderness of life and he must heed this call”. Major A.B. Lawrence was full of prayer, especially in preparation for the establishment of the Holy Flock of Christ throughout this period. He does not sleep near the beach, as some does; but he retires to a house in the Ibeju village to sleep after praying and fasting for the day.

DIED IN OCTOBER 19, 1943