TRIBUTE TO A LOVING FATHER & A SHEPHERD Dear Reverend/Sir, as I fondly addressed you, the news of your passing greeted my family with a deep sense of loss and grief. It was but a short period of illness, during which your health seemed at times to improve, only to deteriorate again, as we heard from close family members. As believers, we prayed earnestly, and God answered—not in the way we had hoped, but in a way that fulfills His divine will. We take comfort in knowing that it pleased the Creator to call His servant home at this time, and we surrender completely to His will. With assurance in our hearts, as the scriptures say, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). Dear Reverend, we hold firm to the belief that you are now in a better place. What we are left with are the cherished memories that will forever remain fresh in our hearts. Growing up, I knew you and my late father, Brother Michael Matthew Emmanuel, were bosom friends and staunch believers in Malachi 4:5-6. Your friendship would not be complete without the mention of Deacon Stephen Udom, of blessed memory, who also happened to be my father-in-law. One particularly unforgettable moment was during my marriage solemnization, which turned out to be the last wedding ceremony you officiated. That day was filled with touching memories of the enduring friendship between our families—a bond that now flows down to us, the children. We remain profoundly grateful for the fatherly role you played, offering moral support, counseling, and prayers. Dear Reverend, we treasure the fellowship, the warm family spirit, and the welcoming embrace we felt each time we had the privilege of meeting you. Thank you for the beautiful and meaningful ceremony you gave us on our wedding day. As a shepherd, you served God’s people with selfless love, unwavering commitment, discipline, compassion, and humility. To God be the glory, the church you nurtured continues to stand strong today as a testament to your legacy and as a beacon for the furtherance of the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please greet our departed brethren for us and rest peacefully at the feet of Jesus Christ, until we meet again to part no more. Adieu, dear Reverend. Bro & Sis Aniekpeno Michael Emmanuel (Revealed Word Tabernacle, Port Harcourt)