TRIBUTE TO LATE REVEREND (DR) JOHNSON OLATUYI

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth……that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them. Rev 14: 13”
My father, my father! Rev (Dr) Johnson Olatuyi was indeed a father to me, my spiritual father, my father in the Lord.

I count it a blessing and a privilege to have had him as my spiritual father.  I had high regard for him and held him in great  esteem for his integrity and uncompromising resolve  to things of God and Biblical principles.  My only pain is that the relationship did not last for long. Although I have been a member of CGMI since 1995, I did not know him well until 2019 when I relocated to the US and he became my National Overseer and the wife, my  Mummy  Pastor.”Daddy” as we fondly called him loved and cared for me and my entire family.  I knew that he was always praying for us. His life has greatly impacted my spiritual life.  His deep love for God, love for the word of God, zeàl for evangelism and commitment to missions motivated and inspired me. Daddy was a leader that led by example.  When he asked you to pray, he himself was a prayer warrior, when he asked you to study the Bible, he himself was an outstanding example. When he said go on evangelism, he was himself out in the field, doing same. He was a disciplinarian,  did not suffer fools gladly, another mark of a great leader which undoubtedly he was. Sometimes, I would think hè was driving us too hard, but I have now come to realize that it was for our good. He wanted us to be the best we could be for God and I can say to the glory of God, I am a better Christian from having been under his tutelage  and ministrations. Daddy was a prophet to me. He told me with clarity what he heard from God, at a time I was unsure whether to relocate to the US or not. On several occasions in his ministration, he would release a prophesy which I would key into and it would be so for me and my family, making real to me 2 Chronicles 20: 20″ Believe in the Lord your God so shall ye be established; believe his prophets,  so shall ye prosper. “I will miss you Daddy Olatuyi,  I will miss your voice,  the way you lovingly called me Mama Otukoya. In the words of one of our Yoruba hymnals”A ki o gbohun won moOhun ife didun”.My consolation is that Daddy is now with our Savior whom he served diligently while here with us on earth. I know the Crown of rejoicing awaits him in heaven and my prayer is that we too will finish well as he has done. I know the Holy Spirit is comforting Mummy and His grace is sufficient for her and for my aburos, God will take care of them and be a Father to them all. Pelumi and wife,  Gideon and Peter,  Bolu and wife, the lines have fallen unto you in pleasant places;  Yea, you have a godly heritage.  You have big shoes to fill, God will help you. And for my fellow ministers and brethren, Daddy has played his part and left the stage, he  has handed the baton to us, may we run the race with endurance with our eyes fixed on the prize, God of our fathers who helped them to finish well will help us also. My beloved Daddy, Rev ( Dr) Johnson Olatuyi,  keep on resting until we meet on the Resurrection Morning.  You have fought a good fight,  you have finished your course, you have kept the faith. Glory be to God! Amen.