FEATURE ARTICLE

Ogho Okiti, PhDMonday, January 9, 2006
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Manchester, UK

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Forwarded by: SAMUEL BAYO AROWOLAJU


PASTOR BIMBO ODUKOYA: GOOD BYE AND THANK YOU


death such as yours is bound to raise many questions starting with why, and also revive memories. There are many whys since December 10th but we console ourselves in the unchallengeable wisdom of God. In your 45 years in this world, God used you exceptionally to affect the lives of many youths and married people in a positive manner. Although I write this with a heavy heart, I am thankful to God for the opportunity and privilege that I met you.


In the last year, I had met Pastor Bimbo on three occasions. On these three occasions, she came to Jubilee Church, RCCG, Manchester, UK. The first two visits by herself, and the third, with the husband, Pastor Taiwo.

During her first visit, although I sat under her ministration, I was not privileged to meet her personally. Her ministration was powerful, practical, inspirational and exciting at the same time. Pastor Bimbo was full of grace and candour, and radiated a very rare confidence and boldness in God. Although everyone I knew met her before I did, wow, it was worth the wait. She was simply special.

During the second and her third visits to Manchester, it was different and I had the awesome privilege to meet her personally. Being close obviously raises expectations and I am so glad I was not disappointed. There is the private element you hope aligns with the impression and perspective established from the pulpit. It turned out even better as the experience revealed a gentle and sweet soul. Being close revealed another beautiful dimension to that personality of a child and servant of the living God. Despite everyone beholding the grace of God upon your life, you managed to remain very unassuming. She made a promise to see my wife when she gets back to Nigeria and within days, despite her heavy schedule, she did. My wife still comments on that experience.

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During that same visit to Manchester in Autumn this year, I still remember your description of faith and obedience in the things of God. You analogised this very important process using the church stairs. You drew our attention to how our obedience and faith together takes us to another level. That simple illustration was the hallmark of your ministry, in addition to being gentle, kind and wonderfully generous. Since then, there have been countless testimonies. Even after ministering for hours, you waited to counsel people and attended to everyone that wanted your attention until the early hours of the morning. I am sure you were tired, but there was never a sign of that. It was too evident that you believed in people.

And the most recent visit on the last weekend before you passed away. You came with your lovely and amiable husband, Pastor Taiwo. You call him your Pastor, mentor, and describe him as a very understanding husband. Until this time, many of us did not know what you meant. During the visit, we found out. We had a good time in the presence of God. It was such a glorious meeting throughout the weekend. We enjoyed the anointing of God upon both of you. The two of you together was even more special and beautiful. At the end of the meeting, I had the utmost privilege to spend about thirty minutes with the two of you. We shared testimonies and promised to continue when I do call, something I did not manage to do before you left us. Somehow, I wish now I did make the call. However, I will forever cherish those minutes I had the sole company of you and your husband. Perhaps, this would have been tougher for me this time last year. Since then, you contributed in no small measure to the progress I have made in my relationship with God.

It is good that many knew you and your ministry as that of the Singles and Married. They knew you as someone that preached total submission to husbands by wives, the undiluted declaration of the word of God concerning sex before marriage, and obviously abortion. Your message in these areas of sex and relationship was very clear, practical, and non judgmental but full of hope. However, we that knew you appreciate that God used you beyond that because you were willing and hungry. Through you, God healed marriages, gave directions to many singles, but also, through you, God gave hope, salvation, and physical healing. You were simply an inspiration. You made us believe it was possible and it is possible.

In relation to your passing, my prayer is that the Lord Almighty will continue to strengthen Pastor Taiwo. As Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans in 1:7 "�.Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ", the Grace of God will continue to rest upon him. You will never be forgotten, especially by those of us whose lives you had touched by your ministry. In death, you are still affecting lives. You will be surely missed. My Pastors, Bimbo and Folu Komolafe will surely miss you. Jubilee will miss you.

Looking back at those meetings, I fondly remember your two "favourite" phrases which I hope to never forget. You often say "listen to me" and "praise the Lord" during your messages to either attract your listener's attention or make emphasis. By the grace of God, we are still listening and praising God.

Pastor Bims, thank you, you made us believe.