History of Voice of Grace Parish: Celestial Church of Christ Voice of Grace was given through divine inspiration and vision. The parish was born out of an irrevocable determination to pursue nothing else but the mind of God and the heart of His Son Jesus Christ; a church with its face to the world, loving others unconditionally regardless of culture, background or attainment; pouring itself out in a life of selfless service, offering security and hope to a frightened and helpless world. The whole congregation is presented as a single family united in the oneness of the Holy Trinity as a real, true and unpolluted agent of Christ on earth.

The Parish started in August 1997 at 36 Stratford Ave Ewing, NJ 08618. And steadily, it grew from a single family to four families within a month, then six families within six month, and to seven families before Dec. 31 1997. In view of space constraints, the parish moved to 46 Weber Ave. Ewing, NJ 08638 on a rental basis in February 1998 before finally obtaining the township zoning approval and C of O in 1999. By June 29 2000, the property was fully acquired by God for the Church.

The Parish is a single family church united in divine love, peace, oneness of spirit, total humility, an ideal of selfless service and complete dedication to the core values of Celestial Church of Christ as enshrined within the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ.

History of Celestial Church of Christ: The name of the Church is Celestial Church of Christ USA Inc. Celestial Church of Christ U.S.A Diocese is a part of one spiritual, worldwide, united, indivisible Holy Church, which came into existence by DIVINE ORDER on the 29th of September 1947, in Porto-Novo, Dahomey now Republic of Benin, through the founder of the Church. The Reverend, Pastor, Prophet, Founder Samuel Bilehou Joseph Oshoffa.
The Church is a Diocese of Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide with International Headquarters at the Mission House, Ketu, Lagos State Nigeria and the world HQ at Imeko City Ogun State, Nigeria. It is a prophetic/Spiritual Pentecostal Church.

Divine Order: On the 29th of September 1947, in the deep mystery of divine appearance during prayer, of the winged Angel clothed in intense light, word came from God to the Founder, S.B.J. Oshoffa saying “Luli (meaning grace), it is the wish of God to send you on a divine errand of preaching to the world. There are many nominal Christians who, when they are confronted by difficulties and problems of this world, run after fetish priests and other powers of darkness for all kinds of assistance. Consequently, on their death, they cannot see Christ because by their actions, Satan has left his spiritual mark on them. To assist you in your work so that men may listen to and follow you, miraculous works of Holy Divine healing will be carried out by you and in the name of Jesus Christ. These works of divine healing and God’s spiritual mark on you will testify to the fact that God sent you.” Thus was born to the entire world CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST.

The name of the Church came by divine revelation through MR. ALEXANDER YANGA, who was at that time undergoing spiritual healing at the residence of the Pastor Founder and who was held in trance for seven days. On the seventh day, while still in trance, he asked for a piece of chalk and wrote the name of the church on the wall thus: EGLISE DU CHRISTIANISME CELESTE meaning “Celestial Church of Christ.” For the first five years, the founder was addressed EVANGELIST until it was revealed and he was permitted by the DIVINE ORDER to use the name EPASTORAL in angelic language which was also translated for him as the word PASTOR.

Also, all the hymns used in worship service in Celestial Church of Christ have been given directly by heaven through the spirit of prophets and prophetesses. Some of the songs are in angelic language.
The pastor is the Head of the church in all matters and he is represented at the Parish level by the Shepherd, at the district level by the District supervisor, at the regional level, by the Regional Head, and at the diocesan level by the Head of diocese.

The first Pastor of the Church was the Founder, Rev., Pastor, and Prophet Samuel Bilehou Oshoffa. Through him, the Lord Jesus Christ raised a number of dead, restored a number of blind, deaf, and dumb. He was a great prophet of our time. He was translated at the age of 76 (in 1985) after leading the church for 38 years. The succeeding pastor was Rt. Rev. Alexander Abiodun Bada. He also departed at the age of 70 (in 2000) after leading the church for 15 years. The succeeding Pastor – the third was Rt. Rev. Philip H Ajose. He led the church for only a few months and departed at the age of 69 in 2001. The current Pastor is Rev. Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa.

VISION OF THE CHURCH
To evangelize the world through the proclamation of the Word –the Good News of the Messiah Jesus Christ, and of the Kingdom of God; in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, proclaiming deliverance to those bound by the shackles of Satan, healing the brokenhearted, the sick, the infirmed, restoring hope to the hopeless and those who are bound, while reinforcing the faith of all –both feeble and strong in the unfailing righteousness and faithfulness of God Almighty and Jesus Christ, the Lord.& Savior.

PRIMARY MISSION
1. To worship God Almighty in holiness and reverence
2. To preach the good news of the Messiah –Jesus Christ and the imminent Kingdom of God through evangelism, Bible classes, Bible lectures, organized spiritual forum, print and electronic media.
3. To prepare believers for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. To work for the unity of all Christians
5. To organize and run schools, colleges, Seminaries, and Research centers.
6. Inculcation and restoration of Christian values into home/families, to encourage family cohesion, peace and stability in homes, neighborhoods and nations through prayers, counseling and spiritual ministration.
7. Organize charities and relief operations.
8. Promote crime free and drug free environments.

Configuration of the Altar.
1. A big Cross behind the seven candle holder, epitomizing the power of the Lord we worship, and the redemptive Instrument of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Cor. 1:18.
2. The golden seven candle holder. The seven burning candle lights represent the seven spirits of the living God; the stars and the glory of the entire seven foundational churches of the world. Rev. 1:12.
3. Seven burning lamps: Rev 4:5
4. Two flower vessels, one on the right and the other on the left side of the seven candle holder representing the two anointed. Zech. 4: 1-14, Rev.11
5. A lantern to the left side of the altar burning always. Ex 27:20 Lev.24:1-4
6. Altar water on the right and holy oil of anointing on the left side of the altar.
Every little thing in the sanctuary from the altar all the way to the very entrance is inspired by the very spirit of God and in essence replicates the meeting place of saints in heaven.
The Materials
1. Anointing Oil & Incense: Exodus. 30: 22-30
2. Perfume usage in the Sanctuary: Exodus. 30: 34-38
3. Incense: Rev. 8: 3-5; Ex. 30
4. Holy Water - Numbers 8:6-7;
The Regalia (Divine decree to the Pastor, Prophet & Founder – mirror image of the dress code of the heavenly Celestial Church) Called SU-TA-NA
1. Walking Bare-feet: (as ordained by the Holy Spirit) Exod 3:5, Joshua 5:13-15
2. Wearing White Garment: Rev 7: 9-14, Rev 19:8
3. The loin - Daniel 10:5, Rev. 1:13
4. All women must cover their heads in the sanctuary. 1st Corinthians 11: 3-16

Reasons behind some of the Service Customs

Bowing down at the jingle of the Bell saying
Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God of Hosts - Is. 6: 1-3; Rev 4 8

CCC Prayer Key(divinely given through the holy spirit) Starting out with Jehovah, Jesus Christ, Holy Michael
Jehovah: Exodus 6:3
Jesus Christ: Ph 2:10, John 14: 12-14
Holy Michael: Daniel 12:1, Zach 4:1-3 & 13
Bowing Down when Praying:( mirror image of heavenly format- given through the Holy Spirit) Isaiah 6:1-3, Rev. 4: 8-11

Chants
o Halleluiah – Meaning “Praise the Lord” Rev 19: 6
o Hosanna – Meaning please save “A Cry of Praise” Matt 21; 1-17
o Ebenezer- Meaning “Rock of my Help” I Samuel 7:12.

Article of Our Faith

The Apostle's Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven and seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence, He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost
The Celestial Church of Christ.
The Communion of Saints,
The Forgiveness of sins,
The Resurrection of the body,
And Life everlasting.
Amen.

The Commandments of God as outlined in Exodus 20 & Mark 12:30-31are platforms that we base our faith & walk on.

Becoming a Member of CCC – Voice of Grace
Course Manual/Information