We welcome all of you who have come today to celebrate Deji’s ministry.    We can assure you that it was not the wish of the Askew Road congregation that he is leaving at this time, nor was it his wish, but this is where we are.

Since coming to the Askew Road Church in 2018, Deji has worked in all aspects of church life, from leading Communion Services to sweeping the forecourt and the church 24/7 Evangelism.    It was Deji who landed up in the hospital when he injured himself sweeping this floor (main hall, basement).     We will all have to work that much harder to replace not only himself, but also his family members.    Deji has said he hoped to work in a church where his family could have a place to serve. They have always been willing helpers in all our activities, ministries, particularly with the audio-visual system Sam set up and then passed on to Joshua and David.

Deji has aimed to advance the Church’s spiritual life, and because of this, some people have been attracted to us either return or join us. The worship of God in this place is paramount to all he has done.

Deji was in Nigeria, due back the following Tuesday when the lockdown began.   On Saturday, I heard that Nigerian Airways was closing down, and I thought, that’s wonderful; we have a crisis, and there is no minister to help us until he can get back.    On a Sunday morning, I looked for a message I was expecting and instead discovered one, presumably from Sam, giving details of how to join a service on Zoom.     At that time, I had no idea what Zoom was, but I thought I might as well try it.    I thought I was looking at something like a TV picture, and when Deji asked me to pray, I was utterly shocked because I had no idea I could speak through my laptop.   Also, I knew that the fact that I could see him on the screen did not necessarily mean that he was back, but he had contrived to travel on Saturday.     As our Zoom started on the first Sunday before other churches were ready in the beginning, we were joined by people from the Nigerian Methodist Mission and other circuit churches, which gave us contact at a difficult time.     In this way, we have been able to be closer to the members of the Nigeria Methodist Mission, and we welcome them as they come to share in our celebration today.

Deji has also impacted the people living and working in the neighbourhood.   One day I left a meeting with him in the church and went to a local shop owned and run by a Muslim family.    They told me that their father had died and asked if they could come into the church for prayer.   I phoned Deji to ask if I could bring them in to see him and I took them over. What happened after that? I do not know, except that since then, they have given gifts to Deji at various times, including this week, and one came to the service this morning for worship.

Deji,  you will be much missed, but your contribution to the life of this Church will not be forgotten.

Cynthia Brown, MBE.
Secretary, Askew Road Church (Methodist/United Reformed)
25thAugust, 2024