I received the news of Baba Adeyemo’s wife transition from my beloved mum Yetunde Baiyewu couple of weeks ago with joy that Mama has gone to be with with her husband and together in the bosom of their Saviour. Baba Adeyemo died in 2011. Thanks to God and all the children of Baba and Mama, especially Pastor Diran Adeyemo for the care given to mama since Baba’s ascension nine years ago.

The testimonies about Baba and Mama reminds us of their fervour that ‘exceed the natural strength of the most robust.’ Baba and Mama Adeyemo both of William Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Ago Ijaiye, Lagos, spent every minute of their lives praying, working, and engaging in renewal of Nigerian Methodism. Thanks to God for Mama for not only enduring but always praying especially in support of Baba’s itinerant church, mission and evangelism assignments. Baba spent the last week of his life leading a bible study, working and preparing with others for the Ago-Ijaiye Men’s Auxiliary Anniversary.  Baba’s fervent unparalleled zeal, indefatigable activity, persuasive preaching, caring, and mentoring will always be missed and remembered especially by the Methodist Evangelical Movement (MEM).

With Mama’s support, Baba’s evangelical character and leadership in the Lagos Area MEM, ‘COMING ALIVE,’ Methodist Camps at Ibafo and Orimerunmu, MEM Convention in 2000 are deeply impressed in our hearts. Baba will always sleep on the bench in the camp auditorium in order to give a place to others. To Baba, leadership is service and not control. To Baba, leadership is not ability to manipulate people. To Baba, leadership is not about false humility. To Baba, leadership is not feeling of inadequacy when things does not go his way.

To us in the Methodist Evangelical Movement (MEM) and Methodist Praying Partners, Baba and Mama were knights of John Wesley we never had. To speak of Baba Adeyemo, whom we have so often called ‘Baba white’ and Baba MEM,’ is to observe his devotion and a few particular of his life and death, and fill the vacuum by supporting and leading the younger ones in mission and evangelism.  

Baba’s and Mama’s transition from us is a call to review our Christian lives as a journey from the womb to the tomb, and to a triumphant celebration in heaven, where the weary are at rest. Hence, Baba and Mama were knights we never had, but saints we are celebrating. Baba was convinced that outward Methodist religion will profit us nothing unless we are born again. Baba and Mama were disciples of Christ till death. Baba, especially participated and led other Ago-Ijaiye members in the Wesley School of Prayers and Discipleship (WESPLE) programme.  

The question John Wesley asked the people at the funeral of Whitefield is a good opportunity to reflect on Baba’s and Mama’s funeral for a change in our church. Wesley, while quoting Numbers 23:10, ‘Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his,’ asked the people, ‘How many of you join in this wish?’   Our righteousness is in Jesus Christ, not in title, position or denomination. Receive Jesus today, your sins shall be forgiven and you shall be made righteous. Baba MEM, servant of God, well done, thy glorious warfare’s past. The battle’s fought, the race won. Halleluyah.  

Mama’s ascension celebration is Friday 16th October, 2020. Please, pray along.

Very Rev Dr Deji Okegbile, Nigerian Methodist Chaplaincy, United Kingdom