Pastor Emmanuel Iren, the senior pastor of Celebration Church International, has shared a remarkable story about his unexpected encounter with Bishop David Abioye, the retired vice president of Winners Chapel, during a flight from Lagos. The pastor, who had long desired to meet the bishop, detailed how the meeting unfolded and the subsequent conversation that took place.
How the Encounter Happened
In a video posted on his Instagram page, Pastor Iren explained that Bishop Abioye was seated in front of him on the plane. As he was contemplating how to approach the bishop, Abioye stood up to retrieve something and then sat down again. At that moment, a woman from behind recognized the bishop, knelt beside him, and asked if he remembered her from serving in the media team at his church in Kaduna. During their exchange, Abioye inquired about her purpose in Lagos, and she mentioned attending Celebration Church. At this point, Pastor Iren introduced himself as the pastor of that church, prompting Abioye to invite him to sit closer.
Social Media Reactions
The video quickly went viral, with many social media users expressing gratitude for the divine guidance and timely encounters in Pastor Iren's life. Comments such as those from _ellaru highlighted the clarity of God's presence in his life, while others like Peterusikpo and Onwejason echoed sentiments about being in the right place at the right time. The encounter has been widely celebrated as a testament to divine orchestration.
In related news, a Winners Chapel member previously analyzed Bishop Abioye's absence from Shiloh 2025, and another shared observations about the name of his new church. Some netizens have also raised questions about Abioye's retirement as vice president of the church in 2024.
