When l was teaching in my beloved home town, Osu, Ilesa (1981 – 1985), and in my Evangelical Christian Union days in Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo (1986), l heard about Pa S. G. Elton who left his native country, England, to come to Nigeria in March 1937 saying in the coming revival, – Africa is like a hand gun turned downward; Nigeria is the trigger…’ Until his passage in Ilesa in January 13, 1987, PA Elton’s fifty years fruitful ministry in Nigeria concentrated on teaching prophetic truths and he was in partnership with the on-going Oke Oye 1930 Revival in Ilesa led by Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola. Pa Elton facilitated a potent platform to impact and disciple young men and women who continue to be in the forefront of genuine evangelical revival.

Among other prophecies of Pa Elton was that ‘Nigeria/Nigerians will be known for corruption worldwide but the tide will turn and Nigeria will also be known for righteousness worldwide. Many shall take hold of him that is a Nigerian, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ Pa Elton, a fruitful discipler influenced the leadership and ministry of many new generation churches in Nigeria including Archbishop of Benson Idahosa of the Church of God Mission, Benin, Apostle Ayodele Babalola, of the Christ Apostolic Church, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye of the Redeemed Church of God, Lagos, Bishop of David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, Bishop Wale Oke of the Sword of God’s Ministry, Ibadan, and many others in Africa generally. According to Pastor Oluwanisola of Life Link Ministry International, Ilesa, Pa Elton would be remembered for his ability to handover several churches he planted to others as directed and spoken to by God.

The reflection and sad news is that God is no respecter of person or nation hence, He can pass over a generation if they are unwilling to obey and cooperate with God to achieve His missional purpose. In these days and time when God’s Truths are compromised on the altar of immediate comfort, pleasure, power, and wealth, God is saying to the church, ‘it is not right for us as apostles to abandon the teaching of the Word of God, and serve tables.’ God is calling us to repentance and to give ourselves to prayer, and the ministry of the Word. As we thank God for the ministry of Pa Elton and others all over the world, let us pray for church and leadership renewal.