The Nigeria Methodist evangelical community expresses our bittersweet reflection on the death of our dear father and iconic evangelical leader, Barrister Olufemi Adedokun Osundahunsi Snr, who passed into the presence of Christ on August 15 2024, at Ilesa, a few weeks to his 80th birthday. Barrister Osundahunsi Snr was born on October 1, 1944, into the family of the late PA Gabriel Adeniran Osundahunsi of the Owa Ofokutu Royal Family in Ijesha Land and the late Madam Esther Adeboyejo of Oke Ona in Itapa Ekiti. He began his elementary education in Itapa Ekiti and completed it in Ikole Ekiti. He then pursued modern schooling in Ikole Ekiti but finished his studies in Ibadan under the guidance of the late Dr. Lawrence Akanle. Returning to Ikere Ekiti, he underwent teacher training for his Grade 3 certificate, supervised by his late brother, Barrister Albert Ojo Akanle (SAN), who was the school’s Vice Principal at that time. Due to his brilliance, he earned a scholarship during this training.
Barrister Osundahunsi Snr started teaching at Methodist Primary School, Aaye Ekiti, in 1964. In 1969, he gained admission to the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where he earned his LL. B in Law. After completing his service to his motherland in Plateau State (specifically in Lafia, now Nasarawa State), he returned to the University of Ife for his Master’s degree in law (LL.M), specialising in Taxation. Due to his exceptional skills, he was employed as an Assistant Lecturer at the same university. He later moved to Lagos in search of greener pastures and initially worked with Ernst & Whinney and Arthur Andersen as a tax consultant. He then established his own consulting firm, Femi Osundahunsi & Co, Canaan Chambers, where he practised law and tax consulting. His professional success is reflected in the achievements of his students and employees, many of whom have become SANs, High Court Judges, and Appeal Court Judges. He also served as a tax consultant for Lagos State for several years.’
Barrister Osundahunsi Snr was a ‘devoted Christian and Evangelist. He began his ministry at Christ Gospel Witnesses Church in Abeokuta under the leadership of the late Apostle Dele Sowemimo. He was actively involved in crusades and church planting as far as the Benin Republic, winning many souls for Christ and performing signs and wonders. He was a father, leader, and crusader of the Methodist Evangelical Movement (MEM) and served in various capacities, including as President of a Lagos district for the Pentecostal Businessmen Fellowship and Gideons International. A prolific writer and preacher, he was known for his love of hymns, often incorporating them into his messages. His final message, “All Will Be Well,” was delivered on August 14, 2024.’
I have been in regular conversation with Pastor Dele Olubanwo about Barrister Osundahunsi Snr, especially towards his coming 80th birthday, October 1, 2024. We never anticipated this sad news about our father and leader, who helped stimulate Evangelicals to think about applying biblical truth to the public square and for many people who wanted to see the church become a movement again. Sadly, ‘as much as we want to see a movement today, most of us are unable to envision what that might look like. We are familiar with the status quo, the existing models of church that are largely focused on group gatherings for worship and teaching. We can benefit from a closer look at church history to clarify our vision. There is no better example of a successful church multiplication movement in the West than the Methodist movement of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries…it serves as an indispensable paradigm for how we can multiply today’s church.’ [1]
The transition of Barrister Osundahunsi Snr at a time when Methodism is long due for a rebirth calls us to the urgency of Methodist revival,[2]becoming once again a movement of the Spirit rather than controlling and maintaining the prestige of its glory days. The legacy of Barrister Osundahunsi Snr tells us that ‘Methodism is not yet a spent movement, or to use the words of Wesley, “a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power.” Methodists still have so much to offer to this unbelieving world that has become more antagonistic to a Christianity that has been marred by scandals and materialism.’ [3] Barrister Osundahunsi Snr left a remnant seed of faithful Methodists who, according to Sir Udenze, must be ready to go through persecution, rejection and even suspension. According to Sir Udenze, some Methodist churches were closed against Barrister Osundahunsi Snr, himself and many others, and thoroughly beaten out of the church. He said, ‘Our consolation is that we were following the footsteps of John Wesley.’
Beyond an unusual pang of sorrow over the passing of our evangelical leader, I am overwhelmed with gratitude to God for a father and leader I knew personally. I joined Methodist Church Nigeria in 1993 as Acting Conference Editor and in 1995, I started my ministerial training at Methodist Theological Institute, Sagamu, Ogun State. Part of my ministerial training was the practical aspect. I was attached to Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos, where I met Barrister Osundahunsi Snr, the Methodist Evangelical Movement (MEM) leader. His office at Somolu and residence at Akute were nurturing grounds for many of us as members of MEM and non-Methodists.
For those left behind, when someone dies, one cannot help but reflect on their lives, ministry, and worldwide impact. Sir Joseph K Udenze, a co-labourer with Barrister Osundahunsi Snr, aptly described the weight of the loss of Barrister Osundahunsi Snr. He said, “Brethren, I received the news of the demise of my Beloved brother Femi with shock. He was one of us in the Methodist revival. He stood for truth and was persecuted beyond measure. I wish we had more of his type these days when the church is rushing into the world and the world is growing in the church. The Lord, the righteous judge, blesses the family and the church. Adieu my brother.”
All Wesleyan and Methodist Christians are connected to the lives and ministries of John Wesley (1703-1791) and his brother, Charles (1707-1788). Methodism was an international church movement after John Wesley’s death in 1791. Methodism was born in 1729 at Lincoln College, Oxford, but ‘did not set out to discover buried truth, but to live out a forgotten life.’ The first Methodist Society was formed in London in November of 1739. On New Year’s Eve of 1739, after experiencing an outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Fetter Lane Street, ‘Wesley and his Holy Club friends fanned out across England and the British Isles … the young Methodist circuit riders blazed the trail filled with the Spirit to bring the glad tidings of salvation in Jesus to communities in the American frontier in the late 18th and early 19th centuries… Spirit-baptised Methodist missionaries led powerful revivals in Asia, Africa, and Latin America at the turn of the 20th century.’
Wesley carefully defined the missional purpose of the society as “a company of men having the form and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation.” The term of membership is: “a desire to flee from the wrath to come and to be saved from their sins,” with the aim that evangelical faith should manifest itself in evangelical living. [4] Methodism remains the most sustained evangelical worldwide faith and move of God that changed as much as the United Kingdom, America, Africa, other parts of Europe, India, and other countries. The remnant seeds of the Methodist movement would continue to grow and spread well beyond Wesley’s lifetime. [5]
The history of Methodism, from its 18th-century roots with the Wesley brothers to its missional global spread and societal impacts, reached Nigeria on September 24, 1842. Methodism grew rapidly in the period 1790–1840 because its theology, organisation, and missionary orientation struck a chord with new industrial workers who had little time for an institution and system that represented established social and political interests.
In its heyday, Nigeria Methodism suffered from a severe internal crisis, the resolution of the crisis resulted in greater evangelical self-consciousness and spiritual renewal spearheaded by the clergy and laity including Archbishops Dimoji, Ayo Ladigbolu, Joseph Sunday Ajayi, Bishop John Bamgboye, Very Rev Mike Oye, Very Revd Okon Ekerendu, Very Rev Isaac Ogbonnaya, Sis Nwabulo Abanougu, Sis Yilu, Professor Joke Jibowu, Bro Sumbo Adejumo, Bro Gbade Adeleke, The Rev Femi Oladele, Papa Adeyemo (Baba White), Engr Lanre Fakolade, Sir Joseph K Udenze, Arch Paul Udenyi among others. The early generation of Nigerian Methodist evangelical leaders faced challenges as John Wesley did.
Following the footsteps of John Wesley, the early generation of Nigerian Methodist evangelicals sought to recover a basic understanding of what it means to be an honest Christian. Just as John Wesley’s original vision to bring spiritual renewal to the Church of England was not well received, Barrister Osundahunsi’s generation of Nigeria Methodist evangelical leaders was not deterred despite the growing tension between Wesley’s spirituality and the inherited institutional church. They started as a spiritual renewal, a new wine of the Wesleyan revival within the Nigerian Methodism and eventually became a distinct group known as MEM.
Barrister Osundahunsi’s Snr legacy reminds us that there is something in what Wesley learned and what he did that we can learn from today. Like typical scholars and church historians, Barrister Osundahunsi Snr knew the significance of the story of the Wesleyan revival. A visit to his library at his Chamber at Somolu and Akute residence remains a testimony of a rich storage on Wesleyan revival. Barrister Osundahunsi’s Snr evangelistic network beyond Methodism discovered that very few people outside Methodism know anything about this Methodist movement and its potential impact on the church today. Barrister Osundahunsi’s Snrteaching is a reminder that the life and ministry of John Wesley are something we desperately need today.
Barrister Osundahunsi’s Snr evangelical leadership echoes the heart of the Wesleyan revival, the rediscovery of “the pure apostolic doctrines and practices of the early church.” Just as Wesley did more than read and study the past, Barrister Osundahunsi Snr more than been a trained lawyer engaged in the pure apostolic doctrine and reapplied it, contextualising it to his own time and place. More than that, Barrister Osundahunsi Snr, like Wesley, used what he learned to spread a disciple-making movement that equipped and empowered thousands of people to join in God’s mission. As a Christian lawyer, he was a roaring gladiator in the courtroom. He was merciless in his cross-examination and almost flawless in his pleadings and manifestations. He was courteous to court personnel, respectful to judges, and fair to his opponents. He never refused to defend the accused, even if others were afraid or did not think the client could pay. He was the true apostle of truth, a pillar of justice, and an advocate for the rule of law and love of Christ.
Among the reasons for my sorrow was Barrister Osundahunsi’s Snr impactful teaching and preaching. He spoke. Never out to impress the worldly-wise, his preaching was accessible to everyone. He emulated his Master, who spoke ordinary words for ordinary people. “Tell me the story simply as to a little child, for I am weak and weary and helpless and defiled.”
Barrister Osundahunsi Snr was a preacher of the Gospel who was clear and straightforward to understand. Clarity comes from logic and flow. Papa Osundahunsi’s talks, as a Gospel man, were structured, not rambling or rando. Barrister Osundahunsi Snr faced challenges, as there is no effective General without a scar. He did not allow his scars to scare him away from God’s presence and mercy. Barrister Osundahunsi Snr stewarded the gifts God gave him. He spoke to his generation, and he lives on.
The passing of Barrister Osundahunsi Snr calls to remember some key elements that made the Wesleyan revival such a success. It is a revival that changes life through a fresh encounter with the living God, known as a conversion experience or a personal renewal resulting in a radical commitment to follow Jesus Christ. The leadership of Barrister Osundahunsi Snr reminds us that ‘Movements are not primarily about numbers or slogans, but about changed lives that lead to broader cultural transformation. In renewal movements, there is usually a tipping point where the transformation occurring in the lives of individuals as they embrace a vision for renewal begins to spread like wildfire, leading to broader social and cultural change.’ The experience becomes contagious when ordinary people share their faith with others. Revival and renewal spread when ‘people rediscover the simplicity of the gospel or an essential aspect of the Christian faith that inspires and mobilises them to action’, resulting in an increase of new believers.
Barrister Osundahunsi Snr emphasises the person and work of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives, especially in living holy lives and in sharing Christian faith with others, thereby developing discipleship and spiritual growth. Barrister Osundahunsi Snr, as an example of lay apostolic leadership/movement, points to Wesley’s and early Methodist models, spirituality and methods of the early church. The lay apostolic leadership grew the Methodist movement’s outward missional focus, that is, organic multiplication ‘that naturally leads to the multiplication of disciples and new communities of faith. Movements do not become movements by naval gazing, but by looking outward, inviting people in, and growing and multiplying its mission and influence. A natural dynamism and excitement among the people makes them contagious, helping the movement spread widely and organically from one person to another.’ Wesley’s (lay) apostolic leadership, as modelled by Barrister Osundahunsi Snr counters forced growth by the leadership at the top level; however, ‘Movements look outward and grow and multiply as people’s lives are changed, they begin making disciples, and then start new ministries and communities of faith to facilitate the ongoing growth of more individuals.’ Barrister Osundahunsi’s Snr legacy summons us to get back to the scriptural path and repent from sycophancy among the laity and clergy.
Beloved, Barrister Osundahunsi Snr’s passing reminds us of the two dates on a graveside: the date of birth and the date of death. In between these dates, there is a dash. The dash represents the choice you have made over time while on Earth. Barrister Osundahunsi Snr made choices to please and serve God despite all the storms of life. With Jesus at the centre of his life, all is well. Please let us remember the family in our prayers.
[1] Bevins, Winfield, Lessons from the Wesleyan Revival, https://goodnewsmag.org/lessons-from-the-wesleyan-revival/
[2] Okegbile, Deji, Stop the Funeral: Reverse Methodist Decline (London: Supertec Design, 2017), pp. 6-7, 33-38
[3] https://globalmethodist.org/advent-hope-for-a-genuine-methodist-revival/
[4] Workman, H. B. Methodism (Cambridge: University Press, 1912), p. 112
[5] Okegbile, Deji, Methodist Pentecost Again! Wanted 100 Preachers for Revival of Holiness (London: SADL, 2018), pp. 8-11
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