From the Superintendent's DESK

Reverend Gabriel Kayode (GK) Ajayi, former Apostolic Faith District Superintendent for Western and Central Africa (WECA), passed away in the early morning on Friday, August 2, 2024. Brother GK, as he was fondly called, was born in 1940 in Emure-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Although he was born in a Muslim home, he had the privilege of attending a Christian missionary elementary school, which stirred up a hunger for God in his heart. He was very sickly as a child but was miraculously healed later in elementary school. He was saved after he started attending the Christian Union Fellowship at the University of Ibadan, and then was introduced to the Apostolic Faith Church in the late 1960s. Brother GK later prayed and received his sanctification and the baptism of the Holy Ghost at the Apostolic Faith Church.

Brother GK was passionate about the Gospel and consecrated his time, energy, and resources to the Lord. He assisted in the founding of the Apostolic Faith Church in his hometown, Emure-Ekiti, often traveling there from Lagos on weekends to minister in the services. He was ever ready to support the work of the Gospel and for many years gave his personal residence in FESTAC as a Bible study center, which later grew to become a branch church as well. Over the years, he served in many capacities, including as an interpreter, Sunday school teacher, Chairman of the Association of Visiting Secretaries (the evangelistic department of the church in Nigeria), Director of Missions, Anthony Village Regional Overseer, WECA Board Member, and most recently, the WECA District Superintendent in 2021. Along with his wife, Sister Victoria Wuraola Ajayi, serving the Lord was more important than any other thing in their lives.

Apart from his role in the church, Brother GK earned a Doctorate in Economics and worked as an economist at the highest levels for Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB), later known as the Bank of Industry. He worked there until his retirement. Brother GK is survived by his good wife (Sister Victoria), four children (Oluwabunmi Obayemi, Oluwasheyi Oladipo, Oluwafemi Ajayi, and Timothy Ajayi), nine grandchildren, and a host of spiritual family members who will miss him dearly.

Although he is no longer with us, Brother GK's legacy of faithfulness, courage, and exemplary leadership will continue to inspire. His sound teachings and sermons will be cherished by all who knew him. If you did not know him, you can still read one of his sermons that was published in the The Apostolic Faith magazine in 2021. Personally, I will always remember what Brother GK taught me when he was my Sunday school teacher for many years at the WECA headquarters church in Anthony Village. He made an indelible spiritual mark on me and several others as he taught us to give our all in the service of God. Today we all can say, “Brother GK, thank you for giving to the Lord.” We pray that his passion for the Gospel will inspire all of us to draw closer to the Lord.

Funeral arrangements for Brother GK are pending. During this time of bereavement, let us keep in prayer our brothers and sisters in WECA, Oceanside (where some of his family currently lives), and especially the Ajayi family.