***To honour Mike Bamiloye, Femi Adeshina, Funmi Aragbaiye, 12 Others for 2026 BAME Awards
Christian Benefits Magazine is set to mark its 26th anniversary with the formal commissioning of Heal the Church Outreach (HECO) Ministry, the evangelical arm of Christian Benefits Media Ministry, as the main feature of the celebration scheduled for Friday, October 30, 2026, in Lagos.
The event will also feature the presentation of the 2026 Benefits Awards for Missionary Excellence (BAME), with renowned Christian drama minister, Evang. Mike Bamiloye; veteran journalist and former presidential spokesman, Chief Femi Adeshina; gospel music minister, Evang. Dr. Funmi Aragbaiye, JP; and 12 other distinguished personalities nominated for recognition.
The anniversary, HECO commissioning and BAME Awards ceremony, scheduled for 11.am at God’s Mercy Revival Ministries (GOMERM), Ikotun, Lagos, will bring together Christian leaders, ministers, professionals, gospel musicians, drama practitioners, media personalities, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to celebrate God’s faithfulness, Christian service and excellence.
HECO, which was envisioned in 2021 and incubated for five years, is being formally commissioned as the full-fledged evangelical arm of Christian Benefits Media Ministry.
Its emergence marks a new dimension in the ministry’s longstanding commitment to informing, inspiring and celebrating God’s work across denominations, with a specific mandate to call the Church back to its original biblical purpose.
The commissioning will be held under the theme, ‘Restoring the Church’s Original Purpose’, with emphasis on repentance, sound biblical teaching, holy living, prayer, unity and renewed commitment to the Gospel.
Dr. Sam Oyemade, President of Bearers of Light (BOL) Outreach Ministries, will serve as the guest minister.
The occasion will also feature the 2026 BAME Awards, an annual recognition programme established by Christian Benefits in 2004 to honour individuals whose contributions to Christian service, mission, music, drama, literature, entrepreneurship and related fields have made significant impact.
Among the nominees for the 2026 Legendary Awards are Evang. Mike Bamiloye for Legendary Gospel Drama; Evang. Dr. Funmi Aragbaiye, JP, for Legendary Gospel Music; and Bishop Taiwo Adelakun for the Legendary Award for Christian Service.
Other nominees include Pastor Oluwaseyi Bakare, Mr. Femi Adeshina, Evang. Mrs. Dorcas Iyabode Nihinlola Adewole, Rev. Albert Aina, Dr. Solomon Nwachukwu, Rev. Sunday Ashe, Rev. Phillip Igbinijesu, Pastor Cyril Azobu, Pastor Bayo Adaramola and Prophet Kolawole Mosaku.
Christian Benefits Magazine, which commenced publication in January 2000, is an interdenominational Christian publication committed to informing, inspiring and celebrating God’s work across denominations.
The October 30, 2026 event will therefore combine three significant milestones: the 26th anniversary of Christian Benefits Magazine, the formal commissioning of HECO Ministry, and the presentation of the 2026 BAME Awards.
According to Dr. Wole Olarinde, host and Publisher of Christian Benefits Magazine, the event is designed not only to celebrate achievements but also to provide an opportunity for renewed commitment to the Church’s biblical mandate and encourage greater excellence, faithfulness and impact in Christian service.
Dr Olarinde added that with the commissioning of HECO as its major feature, the October 30 gathering is expected to usher Christian Benefits Media Ministry into a new phase of evangelical engagement, while also celebrating 26 years of Christian media service and recognising individuals who have distinguished themselves in various areas of Christian service.
