Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa[2] (October 11, 1909 – September 10, 1985) was the founder of the Celestial Church of Christ after reportedly resurrecting people from the dead.

[4] This church was founded by him, claiming a "divine order" was given to him by an angel of God, investing his belief of the need for Evangelism to the world.

Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa (Ojú kìí ṣe ọfà) was born on October 11, 1909, in Porto Novo, capital of the French colony of Dahomey (now the Republic of Benin) into a Yoruba family of mixed religion.

His father, Joseph Oshoffa, was a former Muslim who became a Methodist, whilst his mother, Alake Iyafo, from the town of Imeko, followed traditional religions, objecting to Christianity.

His father was a carpenter (a fact which was later thought important to a person who later reported receiving visits from Jesus Christ).

Oshoffa held a public meeting in Yaba, Lagos, where those gathered reported his ability to prophecy.

[6] In Nigeria, Oshoffa was sold a large piece of land after the owner was assisted by a "holy man's" intervention in a dream with a legal dispute.

In the beginning, those who became leaders of Celestial Church of Christ parishes were appointed by the Pastor Founder Reverend S.B.J.

The church celebrated the 100-year anniversary of its founder's birth with a music festival and had awarded prizes in memory of him in Benin.