Due to the nature of God’s call, there is always the grace of renewal and longevity. God doesn’t call a man and burns him out totally until he dies, that is not how the Bible describes Him. The Bible says in the book of Psalms 35:27 that “…Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” Therefore, when God calls a man, He ensures that there is insurance in the longevity of life, health, and wealth for that man.
God’s work requires an outsourced strength given by the Holy Ghost, else one would not last while doing it, because of the rigor involved. So, this explains why some persons have been able to stay fresh doing the work of the Lord even with their advancement in age. This was even scripturally proven in the life of Moses, the servant of God, the Bible says in Deuteronomy 34:7 that “…Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.”
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In Nigeria today, certain men were called by God some decades ago, some have been in ministry for over 30 years, others are almost 40 years in ministry, if not more. However, what is most striking is that they continue to carry on the work of the Lord with such ease, and just like wine, the older they become the better their walk with God is. Here is a list of men of God above 70 years who are still actively doing the work of the Lord:
1. E.A. Adeboye
Enoch Adejare Adeboye is the General Overseer (G.O.)of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). Adeboye was born on March 2, 1942 (aged 79). Although Adeboye wasn’t the one who founded RCCG, he only took over from his father in the Lord, Pa Josiah Akindayomi of blessed memory. Adeboye was ordained as one of the ministers of the ministry in 1977 (age 35), and 4 years later in 1981, Adeboye was made the Head of RCCG after the death of Akindayomi.
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From simple calculations, it is revealed its been 44 years since Adeboye was ordained a minister and 40 years since he was made the G.O. of RCCG. That is, Adeboye’s walk with the Lord in life and ministry has gone beyond 4 decades. In a matter of months, Adeboye will be 80 years old, but it does not look like he is retiring from the active service of the Lord anytime soon.
2. W.F. Kumuyi
Williams Folorunsho Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent (G.S.) of Deeper Life Bible Church. Kumuyi was born on June 6, 1941 (aged 80). In 1973 (aged 32), as a lecturer at the University of Lagos, Kumuyi began ministry, but not on a large scale. He held a fellowship meeting, which had a population of 15 students who were interested in hearing God’s word.
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Not long after, in 1982 (aged 41) Deeper Life Bible Church began and since then, the ministry has experienced a tremendous amount of growth. Going by the calculations, Kumuyi has been actively serving the Lord for about 40 years now and has been leading the Deeper Life Bible Church for 39 years. Kumuyi may be aging in the flesh but is waxing strong in the Spirit.
3. Uma Ukpai
Uma Ukpai is a man greatly used by God in the evangelistic ministry. He was born on January 7, 1945 (aged 76). Ukpai does not have a denomination, however, he is the founder and lead evangelist at Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association (UUEA), a nondenominational gospel ministry based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
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Ukpai is known for his evangelistic-themed messages that seek to restore a balance in the body of Christ in Nigeria. Although Ukpai’s walk with the Lord has made him go through a series of trials, he still held on to God and is waxing strong in the work of the Lord at age 76.
4. Mike Okonkwo
Mike Okonkwo is the founder and lead pastor of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM). Okonkwo was born on September 6, 1945 (aged 76). Okonkwo received Jesus into his life in 1970 (aged ) but was ordained a minister under the United Church of Christ (UCC) in 1971. Okonkwo would go on to become a pastor in the same ministry and was actively serving the Lord there from 1971 to 1980. It was in 1981, the Lord called him to start TREM.
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It has been 40 years since Okonkwo founded TREM, and if one adds the years he has been actively working in the ministry, then it is over 40 years. Notwithstanding, Okonkwo does not look like one who is stopping anytime soon, as the grace of God sufficiently backs him up for more.
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