My Senior Pastor, My G.O, My Rev Akinola…I would really say that I have seen Jesus through you, in your actions, ministry, character etc, you were really a personalization of Jesus. I’ll miss everything about you. Rest on The Disciple whom Jesus Loves!!

You had never met me before but you heard about my pressing need to pay for my exams and you paid for me. This really touched my heart as it was new to me. I am still finding it hard to believe you have gone to be with Papa but Papa knows best. May your family be blessed by the kindness you extended to me.

Pastor Akinola is home with his Lord and Saviour! Glory to His Name! I have known our dearest pastor in the 80s as a fiery and powerful preacher of the Word of God when he was with us at the Deeper Life Bible Church Lagos before he started his ministry. His style of delivery was very similar to that of our father in the Lord, Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi. Oh, what a preacher and doer of the word he was! He was lovable, approachable and very humble. His death came as a rude shock but we take consolation in the Holy Scriptures, and we sorrow not, but rejoice in the fact that on the Resurrection Morning, we shall all meet to part no more at that Eastern Gate. Farewell, our beloved pastor, father and preacher.

May God grant the entire family and the Redemption Ministries the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the fortitude of hearts to bear this irreparable loss which is heaven gain. Good night sir, we shall meet in the Morning!

The news of your passing was really hard to believe but i give all the glory to the God and father of mercies who knows best and has decided to call you home to his everlasting rest and peace.
You were an awesome man of God, unique and a rare breed and also a father in the lord indeed.
God bless you richly sir, as you were a great source of blessing to me in word, actions and devotion to the God who loves you best.
Adieu daddy !!, rest in his glorious peace amen hallelujah !!

To my Grand Uncle, yes, though the plan was never to live forever, but to have legacies that will live forever, however, no one that ever knew or had a personal encounter with you either from afar or closely won’t have wanted you to live on earth forever if possible but that would not have been a great reward for your service to the Kingdom. If tears could bring you back you would have gotten oceans, if testimonies, you would have gotten millions of words, if lives you have touched, directly or indirectly, hundreds of thousands. For the very few moments, I had the opportunity of getting close, so many things were learnt and was still in the process when the Heavenly call came in. Yes, you needed to go home, but was a great shock to everyone, not even on the birthday of one of your fathers in the Lord. One of the most painful things apart from the fact that no one will ever fill that slot again, yes, no close replica, is that you didn’t wait to receive our appreciation on earth. We are very much confident that the rewards over there are far much more than we can ever give and no matter how much we want you here with us, God wants you there with Him. You are a True and Sure Soldier for Christ, I am humbly proud to be related to you. May God help us all that, what we have learnt from you and your heart desires for us all will be fulfilled.
Rest on my Grand Uncle and Pastor, Rev’d Steve Oluwole Akinola.

His name is Stephen Oluwole Akinola, a soldier of God, a lover of humanity and a rare human being. Words have failed me to describe your persona. You loved without reservation and gave all of you for God and others. I will miss the wonderful General of God that was my uncle. Never thought you would depart so soon. I had thought you would be here for many more years, but it has pleased your maker to call you home. It is hard to grapple with this reality but we must go on and uphold the legacy you left behind and the ideals you lived for. Good night most loving uncle, good night, you, who symbolised a new day, and may the flight of angels take thee to thine eternal rest.
Your Nephew
‘Yemi Douglas Adeola

Pastor, you are a great man. Because of your life, your ministry has touched many people. I am one of them who has been touched greatly.
I will never forget you Man of God, I wish you stayed more with us but God knows the best.
Farewell Senior Pastor, the man whom Jesus loves. Rest in perfect peace. Amen.

How do I begin to tell the story of my Father-Son relationship with one of God’s beloved generals, the consummate teacher, the evangelist, the Pastor extraordinaire Stephen Akinola? When the Lord brought us together sometime in 1977, it was the culmination of many weeks and months of my craving to live a life dedicated to God and His gospel. Pastor Akinola was on hand as my Art Teacher during his Youth Corps years at FGC PH to bring the gospel personally to me. He answered some of my curious questions, broke down all known and unknown myths about Christianity and ushered me into the Kingdom. I have Pastor Akinola to thank for moulding me spiritually and professionally. His tireless exploits in the work of the Lord has earned him his crown of glory. Praise God! He is with the Lord resting from his labours and I am particularly grateful for his service. He was a man who epitomized kindness, love, faithfulness, uncompromising delivery of the the Word of God in its purity, a loving husband to his beloved wife and father to his natural and spiritual children. May the face of God continually shine on all he achieved while on earth and the glory of God surround him in the bosom of our dear Lord Jesus Christ. Rest In Peace daddy, till we meet to part no more. Glory!

Daddy, your kind is rare
You lived a Worthy and impacting live here before transiting into Glory

I could not have regretted working with you and ceasing every moment of my time to sit and listen to your counsel

You were a love bank, a wise man, a compassionate pastor and father to us all

You believed in my abilities and gave me the chances I needed, you showed me love and I am grateful we crossed paths

You have no match, at least, not around me

I wished you stayed a bit, but then, I take solace in God that you have gone to rest, after your labour in His vineyard

Rest on, the disciple whom Jesus loves

Dear Steve,
This is how I spell your name as I called you. You have left me behind to be with our father in Paradise. I thought and expected otherwise. I believe this happened because you have accomplished your assignment here. For this I congratulate you and thank and worship the Father.
But no matter what the situation could be, I do miss you. Even as your adoptive father, I learnt much from your commitment and devotion and humility with which you served the cause of God’s Will. You touched my life and showed many others direction to the heavenly pathway without reservation. Your legacy will remain ever memorable.
I can see the pearly gates open wide for you with a tumultuous WELCOME awaiting you.
Adieu Steve
Daddy