Anthony Iwuoma
The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has asked Nigerians to stop weeping over his late son, Pastor Dare.
The 42-year-old Dare was the Assistant Pastor in charge of Region (Youth) 35 in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, where he lived with his wife and three daughters.
However, speaking in a recorded message at the farewell service for the younger Adeboye at the Youth Church, Redemption Camp, the renowned cleric requested for prayers for his entire family.
“I want to thank each and every one of you, for this massive show of love, not just for Dare but for me, my wife, the widow, the children and the siblings,” Adeboye said.
“I am extremely grateful. I am only bringing you this brief message not just to thank you, but to let you know that by the special grace of God, we are loved of God and because we are loved of God, we are more than conquerors.
“I want you to know that God who knows the end from the beginning, knew long before the foundations of the world that what has happened is going to happen
“And because his word is forever settled, he said all things work together for good to them that love God. We may not understand now, but what has happened is going to work out for good as individuals, as families and as a denomination.
“Cry if you wish but don’t cry for Pastor Dee (as Dare is fondly called) because he is resting in glory. Cry because you are the one still fighting the battle.
“Anyone who has caught a glimpse of heaven will not be crying for Pastor Dee because there is no comparison between heaven and earth. But then fight courageously because, on the resurrection morning, we shall meet again.
“I want you to know that God who knows the end from the beginning knew long before the foundations of the world that what has happened was going to happen.
“And because his word is forever settled, he said all things work together for good to them that love God. We may not understand now, but what has happened is going to work out for our good.
“In one of his sermons, Dare himself said God does not need a visa to pay you a visit or to do whatever he wants to do in your life.”
The man of God said age did not respect age, as both the young and old die.
He added: “And I have told you before, death is not a function of age. Young people die, old people die, children die. And it is not about how long you live, it is how well. Even Jesus Christ himself died at the age of 33. John the Baptist never lived to be 34 and yet he was the greatest.
“We have lost a champion. You would agree with me on that. Let us consider him a seed that we have sown and let’s get ready for a special harvest. I want us to join our forces together and produce many champions like Damilare that would go round the whole world and shake the world for the Lord Jesus. That is how we can honour his memory.
“The Church of God is marching on. It doesn’t matter what the devil is thinking now. The devil was rejoicing the day the Lord Jesus Christ died on the Cross but he never knew what was coming. The devil was rejoicing when Job lost all his children but if only he knew what was coming,” he said.
At the service were the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, his wife, Dolapo, Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel Udom, former Ondo State Governor Segun Mimiko, President of El-buba Outreach Ministry Prophet Ise El-buba, Presiding Bishop, Living Faith Bishop David Oyedepo and Senior Pastor, Covenant Christian Centre Poju Oyemade and others.
