How Uma Ukpai gave me strength when I lost my son – Pastor Adeboye

• Pastor Enoch Adeboye has opened up on how he found strength in Rev. Uma Ukpai when his son died.
• The Cleric’s third child died in May 2021.
• Adeboye shared his story during Ukpai’s 80th birthday celebration in Uyo.

Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has recalled finding strength in renowned evangelist, Rev. Uma Ukpai, when he suddenly lost his son over three years ago.

Pastor Dare Adeboye who is the third child of 82-year-old Adeboye, died on May 4, 2021 in Eket, Akwa Ibom State where he was based with his family. The late Dare Adeboye was married to Temiloluwa, and had three daughters.

While preaching on Friday, January 10, at a special service held at the International Worship Centre in Uyo to celebrate Rev Ukpai’s 80th birthday, Pastor Adeboye said that the latter’s steadfastness in Christian faith helped him in his “darkest moment”. Ukpai had lost two children at the same time in a car accident.

In Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s words:

“If you really, really want to serve God, then you must be ready to serve him whether things are pleasant or not. In the darkest moment of my life since becoming a Christian — when I lost my son without notice — my son called me on a Sunday evening and said, ‘Daddy, the weekend programme was extremely successful. Glory be to God, thank you for your prayer support.’ The next thing I heard on Tuesday night was that my son was gone.

I had to preach on Friday, and one reference point that gave me strength was Uma Ukpai. I know he lost more than one child in a day, yet he did not waver. He kept on serving God. He gave me strength at a time when I needed it most”.