His plan and dream from birth was to be a successful teacher but God has another plan for him. His Maternal grandmother was an instrument to the fulfillment of God’s purpose for him.
At a tender age, her
maternal grandmother took him to the church, she encouraged him to partake in
all church activities, the young Johnson Akin Atere started by joining Choir,
Brigade.
The Rt. Revd. Dr.
Johnson Akinwamide Atere was born on February 15th in the year 1956
in Oka-Akoko, Ondo State into the family of Mr. Zacheaus Teso and Mrs. Olufunke Atere.
He was brought up by his maternal grandmother, he started his
primary education at St. Johns Anglican Primary School, Oka-Akoko, he also
attended Modern School from the same town, Providence smiles on him, Bishop
Atere was one of those who had the privilege of attending teacher’s training
college during free education era at Owo, Ondo State.
Immediately he finished from teacher’s training college. He taught
at Ifira-Akoko for four years, posted to his former primary school, St. Johns,
Oka-Akoko. Initially, his ambition in life was to pursue his career in order to
be a better teacher. With this, he started writing JAMB, but the most amazing
issue was that, those that copied from him during the examination would passed
their papers, but he would failed.
He grew up to be a Choirmaster, Boys brigade Captain, Pastor’s
Warden, Secretary to the Parish Church Council. He never wanted to be a pastor,
though, he has a gift of pastoring and that was identified at his youthful age.
So each time there was a selection conference within the Archdeaconry or
Diocese of Akoko, he will run away, he did this for many years.
Yes, for anyone to be on the pulpit, there must be a call, is
not just that I want to be a pastor or Reverend. In his own case, it was
unexpected, because he never dreamt of becoming a pastor. He ran away from it.
All his ambition was to be a graduate teacher.
His grandmother and late Ven. Rufus Ayejoto, who then was his
Vicar, did all they could to make sure that he gained admission into the
Seminary. He was not happy with there decision, yet, he sought another means of
disqualifying himself by deliberately abandoned his beard. Still, destiny have
its way on him, he was admitted into the Seminary that same year.
He gained admission into Immanuel College of
Theology in 1984 and graduated in 1987. He was ordained as a deacon in 1987,
priested in 1988, so altogether he has spent 32years in the ministry. He was posted to Lagos Diocese, from there; he
had direct entry into University of Lagos later he attended University of
Ibadan for his Second degree.
All his educational prowess expenses was paid by his uncle,
Chief Titus Ayewumi, who was a teacher.
He has faced many challenges in the ministry, among the
challenges are, they have conspired against him in the ministry, he has been
lied against, there was even a time they said he wanted to kill Bishop Abiodun
Adetiloye, the hatred was so much that they planned and sent him to Archbishop
Vinning College of Theology, Akure to work as a lecturer but the conspirators fail
to understand that God use them for his greatness. On many occasion, he and his
wife will be crying even in the morning, all because of the ministerial
challenges.
He was unjustly punished,
chastised, but, he was not distracted a bit in the cause of his calling, he
hold on to his God. God has used him and his family to win many souls for
Christ. His ministry has saved many homes from been broken, He is a trailblazer,
mentor, teacher and home builder.
He was rewarded for his steadfastness, commitment by God in the
year 2008. The Right Revd. Dr. Johnson
Akinwamide Atere was consecrated as Bishop of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican
Communion) on May 18th, 2008 at Cathedral Church of St. James’,
Okebola, Ibadan, Oyo State. He was sent to pioneer the newly created Missionary
Diocese of Awori, now a buoyant Diocese, Ota. Ota is the industrial hub of Ogun
State.
Baba Atere has touched and transformed Awori Diocese with his God
given gift. What attract Baba Atere to me most, aside from been my Bishop and Chief
Shepherd is his love for the work of
God, he never get tired. He make the welfare of his workers his top priority. I
will never forget his response to me few years back when I asked Baba why is not
always travels out of the country for his vacation. His response was amazing. Bishop Atere replied
and says, “What is the essence of using such money to travel out at the expense
of the diocese when his workers find it hard to sustain themselves. He went
further to say such money could be used to pay at least 10 workers successfully”.
The question is, how many leaders or Bishops can do that.
My Lord Bishop, as you clocks the proverbial age of 65, I join
millions of people to celebrate you my father, my benefactor, my role model and
my mentor. Thank you for accepting and allowing me start my ministry in your “SEE” thank you for appointing me into
your Cabinet as a Diocesan Assistant Communicator. Baba, it is my prayer that
God will continue to help and sustain you. His grace will be sufficient for you
all the time. You will finish well and strong. Amen,
Otunba Damilola Moses
Oladele
Diocesan Assistant COmmunicator
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