Revd. Dr. Johnson Olatuyi; the man before whom I was naked and never ashamed
Everybody has got something to hide; be it for greed or for gold, for disgrace or for grace, for recovery or for discovery, for bad or for good, for gold or for God, for known and for the unknown and, for shame or for fame. But for me, I have nothing, absolute nothing to hide before you; I was naked before you and never ashamed because you covered me. You knew me inside out. Before you, I hide and held nothing back. For my sake, you were lambasted, misconstrued and misunderstood. Yet, those never changed your take for me. You stood by/with me all through. You identified with me. You believed in me. You trusted me, sponsored me and connected me. Nobody knew and understood me better than you.
Our path crossing in 1995 was divine and defined hitherto. When my future blinked, you brightened it. Your house became my house and your family mine. You gave me a voice and a platform of expression; your Mosan Church became the platform for young and upcoming ministers, amongst whom I’m a Chief. How would I forget you granting me access to speak on your behalf in different fora just to showcase me. You invested and stake your time, name, personality, reputation, integrity, status, energy, money and resources on me and all mine. You withheld nothing; even when many wouldn’t understand what you were doing in the midst of the small boys.
You called me your son. I’m proud you’re my Father, my confidant, my gist and prayer partner. You defended me without reservation. You remain my Rabbi for life; my definition of Fatherhood, my unconditional love and mentorship without torments. When I teach mentorship you’re the model. When I teach uprightness and forthrightness you come to mind. I lack words to qualify who you were to me and all mine. More importantly, no matter what I say, or what I have said. You will forever be in my heart. I love you. My condolences to the immediate family members; my mummy, Revd. (Mrs) Victoria Olatuyi, Pelumi, AyoOluwa, Gbenga and Bolu Olatuyi be comforted in the Lord your God. To the Church of the living God, Christ Gospel Mission International, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Christian Association of Nigeria, and the North Americans be comforted in the Head of the Church. To the spiritual sons and daughters of Baba Olatuyi home and abroad and to well wishers, be of good comfort; death is swallowed up in victory.
Till we meet to part no more my Father, sleep on in the bossom of the Lord your God. I love you.