It was a moment of reflection, gratitude and renewed commitment when hundreds of ministers and members of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) gathered at the Old Auditorium, Redemption City, to commemorate the fellowship’s 40th Anniversary.
The event with the theme: “PFN: Yesterday, today and tomorrow,” attracted leading voices from across denominations and generations to celebrate four decades of unity, revival, and national impact through the Pentecostal movement.
The National President of PFN, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, led a vibrant session of praise and thanksgiving before delivering a keynote address recounting the fellowship’s humble beginnings and global growth.
“We are here to celebrate the goodness of the Lord over the past 40 years,” Oke declared.
“PFN started like a mustard seed in Lagos. Today it is in every local government area, every state, and several nations of the world. To God be the glory!”
The celebration took a solemn turn as Bishop Oke announced the passing of Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, one of PFN’s founding fathers and a renowned global evangelist.
“Men and brethren, Evangelist Dr. Uma Ukpai has gone home,” he said emotionally.
“A titan and an iconic man of God whose 1985 crusade at the National Stadium, Lagos — Lagos for Christ — was the spark that birthed PFN. His legacy will live forever.”
The congregation observed a minute of silence for the late evangelist, who passed away on October 6, 2025, at age 80. A documentary celebrating his ministry and worldwide influence followed, along with prayers for his family and ministry.
A commemorative video chronicled PFN’s journey since 1985, tracing its evolution from a small coalition of Pentecostal pastors into a powerful voice for faith and national transformation.
The documentary paid tributes to PFN’s pioneering leaders, including Rev. Dr. James Boyejo (First National President, Foursquare Gospel Church), the General Surpritendnet of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi,Pastor Enoch Adeboye (RCCG), Archbishop Benson Idahosa (CGMI), Dr. Mike Okonkwo (TREM), and Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor (Word of Life Bible Church) and former PFN Chairman, South Africa, Archbishop Dr. Frank Ogagba.
It also spotlighted the emerging generation of Pentecostal leaders — Pastors Poju Oyemade, Paul Adefarasin, Godman Akinlabi, Apostle Arome Osayi, and Pastor Jerry Eze — whom Bishop Oke described as “torchbearers of the digital revival age.”
Special awards were presented to 12 founding fathers — some posthumously — in recognition of their pioneering contributions. The presentation was led by Rev. Dr. Sam Aboyeji, General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria.
“These fathers gave their time, ministries, and resources to ensure the PFN was born, survived, and continues to thrive,” Bishop Oke said. “We stand on their shoulders.”
“The PFN today is strong, vibrant, and relevant. But the PFN of tomorrow will be even greater — a fellowship of revivalists carrying the fire of Pentecost to every corner of the world.” Bishop Oke said.
One of the igh points came as Bishop David Oyedepo, Founder and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners Chapel), delivered a message of revival, transformation, and hope.
Speaking on the theme “PFN: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” Bishop Oyedepo declared that Nigeria’s Pentecostal movement has flourished across nations and must now lead through divine wisdom.
“God has been here, and I knew it not. The impact of the church in Nigeria cannot be ignored. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world — our revival must translate into social and economic transformation,” he said.
He cited South Korea’s Christian revival as an example of how faith can reshape a nation, noting that Nigeria’s revival wave, which began in the 1970s, has similarly transformed millions of lives.
“The church we met was a beggarly church that celebrated poverty,” he reflected.
“Today, we see entrepreneurs, innovators, and educators raised by God through the church. Wherever education goes, civilization follows and that wave is shifting here.”
Oyedepo emphasized that the next move of God will be marked by wisdom and dominion, not just power.
“We have celebrated power; now it’s time to celebrate wisdom,” he declared.
“Divine wisdom is our next frontier. The church must reign in knowledge, governance, and innovation.”
He posited further with a prophetic declaration “We have seen grace, but greater grace lies ahead. Nigeria will not remain as it is. A new, prosperous, and godly nation is emerging in Jesus’ name.”
In his sermon, Apostle Joshua Selman, founder of Koinonia Global, delivered a sobering message titled “A Letter to the Church in Nigeria.”
Drawing inspiration from Revelation 3:22, Selman described the anniversary as a prophetic moment for the Nigerian church to reflect, reform, and realign with God’s purpose.
“At every major prophetic milestone, God brings commendations, rebukes, and new chapters,” he said.
Commending the Nigerian church for exporting revival globally, he noted that “Nigeria has been a hub for missions and spiritual influence across the world,” but warned that moral decay and doctrinal imbalance threaten the church’s witness.
He identified seven critical issues confronting the Nigerian church: immorality, materialism, witchcraft-like manipulation, pride, gossip, unhealthy rivalry and doctrinal imbalance.
“We cannot love Jesus so much that we begin to kill one another as proof of that love,” he said, cautioning against division and competition among ministers.
Selman also called attention to the mental health of ministers, urging the church to provide emotional and psychological support for pastors.
“Not every problem is solved by prayer and fasting; sometimes professional help is needed,” he said.
To strengthen the church, he recommended: establishing a restoration framework for fallen ministers. Correcting false doctrines through dialogue and mentorship. Creating a doctrinal guide to preserve Christian orthodoxy and setting up a ministerial training institute for balanced biblical education.
“Most of the confusion we see on the altar is not demonic attack — it is a lack of training,” he posited. “When people are properly taught, they will reflect Christ.”
His message drew thunderous applause as attendees stood in agreement, marking a moment of repentance and renewal for the Nigerian Pentecostal movement.
