Soldiers of Christ, a group in Church of God Mission Iyaro, was founded in the year 1972. It was a group of men and ladies who were 99% youths who were positively impacted by the preaching of Papa B. A. Idahosa, a founding Archbishop of Church of God Mission Incorporated who was their pastor at CGM International, Iyaro Branch.
The founding leader of S.O.C. was a soldier called Joseph Ojo. In his team was another soldier, Ahunsi. The founding secretary was Felix Omobude. Other members were Mary Igunma and Rosemary Ikhu-Omoregbe to mention but a few.
It is important to mention that Joseph Ojo was a prime mover of S.O.C.; Ahunsi also was a force to reckon with.
Joseph Ojo left the mission in 1974; Ahunsi left before Ojo. Felix Omobude became the national President of the group. His vice was Samuel Imoukhuede. The first secretary was Sunday Bazuaye, Idahosa’s nephew. Augustine Oyem was assistant secretary who became the secretary when Bazuaye relocated oversea. Gabriel Egeruan became assistant secretary at Iyaro.
In 1979, Felix Omobude became a pastor at IyaroBranch. He handed the leadership of the S. O. C. to Samuel Imoukhuede who became the national president till 1985.
Samuel Imoukhuede handed over to Isaac Imasuen, Miracle Center, who remained the national president till 1998.
Vision
The vision was diligent study of the word of God as a basis for military zeal and fervour with intent to function effectively in winning souls.
Mission
Remember B. A. Idahosa’s objective slogan: “Evangelism Is Our Supreme Task” on a bill board pasted toward the altar. Soldiers of Christ was agent of evangelism, prayers, personal witnessing, open air, crusades and follow up.
Some Achievements
The first outing of S.O.C. was a crusade held in N.I.F.O.R., Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, in 1973. It was a successful outing.
Also in 1973 late Papa Idahosa planned and held a crusade in Agbor now Delta State. S.O.C. was sent there to go and prepare the ground, for the proposed crusade, by prayers, evangelism, pasting posters and giving out of tracts.
The Agbor crusade was most powerfully successful with signs and wonders. Some testimonies were recounted in a Sunday service at Iyaro. It was in thatservice Papa Idahosa exclaimed, “These are not, referring to S.O.C. members, soldiers of the world”, “These are the Soldiers of Christ.”
This was how the evangelism and prayer group became known as the Soldiers of Christ. It was in 1973.
Many churches were planted in villages, town, citieswhere successful launches of outreaches led people to Christ. Members of S.O.C. would pastor such new churches so planted to upward of one year, the group paying the pastor until a substantive pastor is posted from headquarter.
The zealous group holds Bible Study every Saturday, carries out evangelism every Tuesday and Thursday. From inception it was compulsory for every member of S.O.C to fast and pray every Monday of the week.
Beyond Benin City Metropolis
Soldiers of Christ were able to make great impact moving around the nation from the East to the West and from North to South holding crusades and street evangelism.
For example, in 1974 a crusade was taken to, I am sure, Owerri in Eastern Nigeria. In a village called Ikeduro Ikeba, a mad woman named Margaret was miraculously healed, saved and S.O.C handed her over to her parents.
In 1975, a crusade/open air/evangelism was held in a primary school in Igbanke. In 1976, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached in a burial ceremony in OkeOra via Sabo and souls were saved.
In 1991, open air was held at Ugieghudu via Ehorfeaturing film shows, street-to-street and house-to-house witnessing. Souls were added to the Church of God Mission there founded in 1988.
S.O.C Still Going Strong
From inception of the group, at the beginning of every year, S.O.C would meet to determine how many crusades and other outreaches in the year, levy ourselves with no upper limit ceiling.
Humphery Igbinijesu became the National President of S.O.C in2023. Activities filled the action plan for 2026. For example, a crusade is being planned to take place in Orhionmwom Local Government Area of Edo State. For 53 years in 2026, S.O.C has been growing stronger every single day and year. Kudos to all her members, past and present, at home and abroad.
S.O.C Reconnect
In 2025 all members of this group had been brought together, past and present, at home and abroad.Thisinitiative is the work of Papa Felix Omobude who asked his Vice President of early 70’s to reach all members of S.O.C and a WhatsApp platform has been created for interactions, prayers, care and love seen and practised among believers in the years of revival in our land.
Among them the love, care, faithfulness, truth, and non-talkativeness, commitment to the word, work and way of their Master Jesus is still seen in them.
Compiled by S.O.C Benin City, February 2026.