Remembering and celebrating Most Rev Efiom E Ekpenyong ten years after his transition calls for leadership and worship renewal. From the earliest days of Christianity, it was believed that we become like who we worship. So, for example, if we worship an authoritarian god, then we ourselves become authoritarian; if we worship a controlling god, then we become controlling ourselves; and so on. Archbishop Ekpenyong, a genius in music ministry, reminds us that the more we worship the true and living God, the more we become conformed to His image and likeness in which we were made. Archbishop Ekpenyong’s legacy of true worship against leadership transmitted diseases calls us to bring a discipleship model to the church that deeply changes people’s lives for the sake of the world. We cannot develop leaders unless we make disciples. The missional fruits of Archbishop Ekpenyong’s ministration at AGLOW 2015 – Methodist Church Nigeria, 79 Atamunu St, on the theme: Restoring the wasted years abides.

Archbishop Ekpenyong with his baritone classical voice was not just a sweet soul and a custodian of melodious sounds and songs, he exemplified and points us to some aspects of the divine nature as revealed in Scripture and how worship of the God who is family, who is love, who is beauty and truth, leads us to become people of family, people of love, people of beauty, and people of truth. Archbishop Ekpenyong was detribalised, coupled with his simplicity and spirituality of lifestyle and leadership.

Sir Oluremi Omotoso, a former Lay President, Methodist Church Nigeria described Archbishop Ekpenyong during his birthday in 2013 as ‘one of those who swim in God’s grace: ‘Your Grace, just keep thanking God for making you one of those who swim (not just live or walk) in His grace. You are what you are by His grace. I join you and all your genuine friends in thanking God for what He has made of you and your life this far. Your future obviously is in His unfailing hands, same hands that have held you thus far. I commit you to Him along with your wife and children. He will keep you and all yours, and you will continue to swim in His grace. Happy birthday and many happy returns in the name of the Worthy Lamb, our Lord and Master, indeed, Saviour, Jesus Christ.’

Ten years ago, in my personal tribute to Archbishop Ekpenyong’s burial ceremony on 6th February 2016, I wrote, ‘In love with Methodist Reawakening in the age of sycophancy, he blended his wide evangelical horizon with that of priesthood, later the episcopate and lately as the Archbishop of Umuahia. He was a man of supreme pastoral care with quite power of imagination; a leader with an approachable disposition who did not speak loudly of his own ability. My last encounter with him was during the 2015 Conference at Port Harcourt. We stayed together and ate together at the Government Guest House. O happy Saint of God, faith’s journey ends, your conflict past, lifelong battle won at last. You no more need the shield of sword, no foes oppress, no fears appal.’

Born October 5, 1963, to the Family of late Chief Ekpenyong Ekeng Ewa, he was a distinct lover of God and people. His messages and songs stirred a passion for intimacy with God. His journey and service to God in the Methodist Church Nigeria left a remarkable impact in the life of the church and the body of Christ having been elevated to heights of leadership such as the pioneer Bishop of Uyo Diocese (1996) after which he was translated to the now Archdioceses of Port Harcourt, Calabar and finally Umuahia where he served briefly before his transition to glory.

Archbishop Ekpenyong was a resilient Soldier of Christ who contributed immensely to the church’s prosperity at both conference and local levels. His legacy points to a “down-to-earth” approach, breaking down formal, rigid, or detached expressions of authority to embody a “missional – pastoral” connection with people, which brings the Word into direct contact with daily life. Full of faith, Compassion, grace and Love, he left an exemplary mark through his preaching, teaching and exhortations, which have become a compass and guiding principle for many on their life’s journey.

According to one of his sons, The Rev Caleb Ekpenyong, ‘my father’s unique method of fusing worship and the word made his ministrations captivating and inspiring. His legacies cannot be denied, even as they are sustained by those whom he impacted and raised. His life and story are characterised by unwavering passion, love, compassion and selflessness.’ Very Rev David Kolawole Olufemi, who worked together with Archbishop Ekpenyong, Sir Remi Omotoso, and Very Rev Ike Godwin during the 2000 Methodist Evangelical Convention at Orimerunmu, described Archbishop Ekpenyong as ‘a great revivalist, a wonderful preacher of the Word! A Worshiper per excellence! A Frontline Evangelical Leader in the Methodist Church Nigeria, a speaker in high demand within and outside the Methodist Church, a true lover of family.’ Sir Tolulope Omoniyi aptly described Archbishop Ekpenyong as ‘a friend, evangelist, Pastor, confidant of clergy and lay. Lover of the youths. A bridge to the church leadership. A servant leader who lives on.’ Archbishop Ekpenyong’s legacy of true worship warns that we cannot give what we do not possess.

Archbishop Ekpenyong’s legacy of worshipping the true and living God calls us to become conformed to His image and likeness in which we were made and warns ministers who live in sin that people still approach them for help. Sadly, ‘such a minister will not leave the ministry; they prefer to die looking good to men and go to hell rather than cry out to God to help them.’

Archbishop Ekpenyong’s legacy warns us against the deceit of our hearts, just as many, like Saul, are more interested in their reputation than in the presence of God. Archbishop Ekpenyong’s legacy of true worship warns the church against what I call ‘Leadership Transmitted Diseases’ (LTD), which prioritises reputation, pride, tribalism, godfatherism, and personal gain above the presence of God. Archbishop Ekpenyong’s legacy of true worship is a matter of a regenerated heart, not just titles without mantle expression. Archbishop Ekpenyong’s legacy of true worship points us to what the Bible says in Proverbs 4:23: “Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” Truly, the issues that we deal with in life, especially the issue of true worship and leadership, proceed from your heart. They do not proceed from our circumstances or locations.

Survived by his wife, Victoria, 5 Sons – David, Joshua, The Rev’d Caleb, Samson and Samuel Efiom Ekpenyong- Archbishop Ekpenyong’s legacies live on, and his heart remains with us.

Let us celebrate Archbishop Ekpenyong as we sing his favourite hymn one more time. In the words of this same hymn, we find encouragement.

1 Sometimes a light surprises.

The Christian, while he sings;

It is the Lord who rises,

With healing in His wings:

When comforts are declining,

He grants the soul again.

A season of clear shining,

To cheer it after rain.

2 In holy contemplation

We sweetly then pursue

the theme of God’s salvation

and find it ever new;

set free from present sorrow,

We cheerfully can say,

“Let the unknown tomorrow.

bring with it what it may.”

3 It can bring with it nothing

But he will bear us through;

Who gives the lilies clothing

will clothe his people, too;

beneath the spreading heavens

no creature but is fed;

and he who feeds the ravens

will give his children bread.

4 Though vine nor fig tree neither

their longed-for fruit should bear,

Though all the fields should wither,

Nor flocks nor herds be there,

Yet God the same abiding,

His praise shall tune my voice.

For while in him confiding,

I cannot but rejoice.