S. G. Elton: The Untold Story of a Mandate for the Early Christian Church of Nigeria

Sydney Granville Elton was a man who believed he had an apostolic message for the church in Nigeria and who stopped at nothing to deliver it. He played the most significant role in shaping Pentecostalism in Nigeria during its first half century. His impact on the movement was nothing short of revolutionary and his story is crucial to rediscovering the essence that created one of the most vibrant Pentecostal movements in the world. Pa Elton, as he was affectionately called, left his native country, England, to come to Nigeria in March 1937, in response to a divine call to be a missionary to Ilesha. He came with a clear mandate to raise a new breed of leadership in the Nigerian Church, who, powered by the Holy Spirit, would take the message of God’s kingdom and the all-conquering King to the very ends of the earth. From that time right up to his home call 50 years later, he lived in Ilesa from where he undertook those momentous missionary assignments. He was always at the centre of revival, playing one key role or the other. He discipled a lot of the men who led (and are still leading) the Pentecostal movement in Nigeria. He was part of the on-going revival at Ilesha (spearheaded by Apostle Joseph Babalola). In the 60's he provided a platform for international evangelists like Gordon Lindsay, T.L. Osborne and others seeking to carry out evangelistic work in Nigeria. In the 70's, he became the father of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement that emerged in the nation's campuses; in the 80's up to his passage in Jan. 13, 1987, he concentrated on teaching prophetic truths about the Kingdom of God and the emergence of the end-time overcomer company. He is undoubtedly the father of the Pentecostal Revival Movement in Nigeria. S. G. Elton followed in the footsteps of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Paul the Apostle from Tarsus and many others like them who though may be dead yet their legacies live on through the lives they have touched. In Ile-Ife, he found a potent platform to impact and disciple young men and women who continue to be in the forefront of genuine Pentecostal revival in Nigeria. Some of outstanding men of God he mentored include Joseph Ayo Babalola and Benson Idahosa. Under his tutelage were young men like Emeka Nwankpa, Steve Olumuyiwa (Okitika), Austin Ukachi, and John Okposio who were foundation of what used to be the Christian Students Social Movement (CSSM) which led a massive crusade that recruited young people for ministry. Men like Reuben Ezemadu of Christian Missionary Foundation and Egbuna Offodile of Children Evangelism Ministry also trace their ministry roots to Pa Elton. Other great men that he nurtured into ministry were people like Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere of the Greater Evangelism World Crusade, Francis Wale Oke of the Sword of The Spirit Ministries, Moses Aransiola of Gethsemane Prayer Ministries and Paul Chuks Nwachukwu of Grace of God Mission. SOURCE;