My Son Died Without Notice – Pastor Adeboye

Adeboye noted that during the difficult period, he found strength in the unwavering faith of renowned evangelist, Rev. Uma Ukpai.

Recall that Dare, who was the third child of Pastor Adeboye and was married to Temiloluwa, suddenly passed away on May 4, 2021. At the time of his death, he was serving as the Assistant Pastor in charge of Region (Youth) 35 and was a devoted father to three daughters. His untimely passing occurred in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, where he resided with his family.

During a special service held at the International Worship Centre in Uyo to commemorate Rev. Uma Ukpai’s 80th birthday, Pastor Adeboye reflected on the profound impact Ukpai’s steadfastness had on him during one of the darkest moments of his life.

He recounted the heart-wrenching events leading to his son’s death, saying: “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.”

Despite the overwhelming grief, Adeboye had a sermon to deliver just days after the tragedy. He drew upon the strength of Rev. Ukpai, who had faced his own share of bereavement, losing multiple children in a single day yet remaining steadfast in his commitment to serve God. The resilience and dedication that Ukpai exhibited served as a beacon of hope for Adeboye during his time of mourning.

“In those moments of despair, I found solace in the example set by Uma Ukpai,” Adeboye shared. “He did not waver in his faith, and his unwavering service to God inspired me to push through my sorrow.”

Pastor Adeboye concluded by expressing that the legacy of faith and influence of Ukpai would truly be appreciated in the years to come, emphasizing the importance of steadfast faith even in the face of life’s most challenging trials.