The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has recalled how Evangelist Uma Ukpai gave him strength and encouragement when he lost his son, Dare Adeboye a couple of years ago.
He made the recall recently while delivering a sermon at the 80th birthday celebration of Evangelist Ukpai in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai is Uyo-based International Evangelist, a televangelist and a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He was born on January 7, 1945, in Asaga, Ohafia, Abia State. He faced many tragedies in the early years of his ministry, one of which was the loss of two children in one day.
Adeboye said he got to know Evangelist Ukpai about 40 years ago when he came to hold a city-wide crusade in Lagos. Describing the crusade as a great event, he said, “I feel thoroughly humbled that somebody like Uma Ukpai will ask me to say a word on this special occasion.
“He may not know it. He has been one of the greatest encouragements in my life. I met him over 40 years ago when he came for the Lagos crusade. I learnt a great thing from him, and that is if you want God to be present in any of your programmes, worship God.”
He then added that he also learnt from the celebrant that if you want to serve God, you must be ready to serve him whether things are pleasant or they are not pleasant.
Alluding to when he lost his son, Adeboye said, “In the darkest moment of my life, when I lost my son without notice. My son had phoned me on a Sunday saying, the weekend programme was glorious, thank you, Daddy, for your prayers and support. And on Tuesday night I was told my son was gone. And I had to preach on Friday.”
He said during that crisis, one reference point that gave him strength was Uma Ukpai. “I know he lost more than one child in a day and he did not waiver. He kept on serving God.” Adeboye said.
The disposition of Uma Ukpai when he lost two of his children in one day according to Adeboye gave him strength at a time he needed it most.
While congratulating Ukpai for joining the club of the Octogenarians he said, “It is only when you get to heaven that you will realise how powerful your influence on earth was”
Referring to several scriptures, he assured the Ukpai that God would satisfy him with a long life. He however added that his continuous living depends largely on him and God.
About Uma Ukpai
Evangelist Ukpai is about the brain behind the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria. He along with some fathers of faith got together after a major crusade (Greater Lagos for Christ Crusade) he had in Lagos to start the fellowship. But beyond inspiring the establishment of the PFN, he runs an evangelistic ministry that has been a blessing to the world.
He attended Uma Ukpai Memorial Primary School, Asaga, and Khana County Council School, Ogoni. (Please note that the school is named after another Uma Ukpai who had passed on, not his own.)
For his secondary school education, he attended, All Saints Secondary School, Aba, and then Niger Delta Technical School, now Boys Technical College, Aba.
Uma Ukpai attended the School of Journalism and Television, Frisham, Hermitage, United Kingdom; South Florida Christian College Miami, Florida, USA; Carolina Christian University and Burke Bible College, Kentucky, USA.
He holds a Certificate in Electrical Engineering Practice, a Diploma in Journalism, a Bachelor and Doctorate Degrees in Divinity
Dr Uma Ukpai is the founder and president of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association (UUEA), located at General Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; a ministry he started in his palour at Plot A, Unit 106 Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, with just a few members. The ministry, however, has birthed many visions such as Scchool of Theology, Printing Press, Hospital, etc.
Family
Uma Ukpai is married to Pastor(Mrs) Philomena. He is the chairman of Uma Ukpai Eye Centre, and King of Kings Hospital, a specialist hospital in Abia State, that services communities in Abia, Akwa Ibom and Cross River State
He is the proprietor of Uma Ukpai School of Theology and Biblical Studies, Uyo, Uma Ukpai Polytechnic Asaga, Uma Ukpai Scholarship Foundation and Joseph Business School, an affiliate of Joseph Business School Chicago, USA.
