…As Foundation celebrates 12 years of selfless service
Over 5,000 elderly have so far benefitted from Pastor Mrs Folu Adeboye’s Heart of Love Foundation in Alexandra, South Africa
Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye, wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A. Adeboye has continued to amplify the need to foster a community that selflessly served the elderly.
Marking the 12th Anniversary of the Foundation in South Africa on Thursday 21, November 2024, Pastor Mrs. Adeboye,
reiterates her compassion for the old people stating that the love of Christ should be spread to such people.
Speaking at the programme held in South Africa, the spiritual mother said: For over a decade, Heart of Love has selflessly served the elderly community in Alexandra, South Africa, extending the love of Christ to over 1,000 “go-go’s” (elderly women) and “madala’s” (elderly men) through monthly prayer meetings and grocery support.
She said: “Although, this idea came up when I visited the Consul General of Nigeria embassy in South Africa, Hon. Okey Emuchay in 2011 when he was giving report of how old people are dying in South Africa. However, later the Holy Spirit ministered to me that I have a rescue mission to do in this place from south Africa to Nigeria; then I asked myself, which kind of rescue mission am I going to do but throughout the night I could not sleep, before we finished the convention, I was praying that God should lead me to somebody who will hold the forth and I saw the face of Pastor Tunde Obokhai, always full of love, compassion, so I called him and said can you help me do something and he said what is it mummy whatever you want me to do I will do, so I asked what is causing the death of old people that in a day they will bury 10, 12 of them.
So, ever since I have been liaising with Pastor Tunde Obokhai and God the one who knows all things and can do all things
in His infinite mercy has been taken control. Immediately we zoom into action, we began to enrich lives both physically and spiritually.”
Pastor Tunde Obokhai Coordinator Heart of Love Foundation, emphasised that, “Pastor Mrs Folu Adeboye right from the beginning has been the funder of this foundation, through this initiative the Foundation has empowered 5,000 elderly individuals helping them gain financial independent and renewed purpose. Precisely in 2011 when our spiritual parent came visiting, to attend our annual convention which was in July 2011, they sought to see the Consul General of Nigeria consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa, then in person of Hon. Okey Emuchay, there the inspiration began and then she came up with the idea and name, the Heart of Love – caring for old people with the heart of Christ.”
However, prior to then, my wife Pastor Matilda has been involved in helping abused women initiative in Alexandra. So, to kick start the Heart of love we were introduced to a place where some group of old women meet somewhere in Alex which could be a platform for us to take up this initiative. We started with 5 people, it extends to 10 people, then we grew from there gradually to 200 women and since then we’ve been growing till when the idea came for us to start a parish. However, we took it from that level and started a parish named Jesus Ambassador.”
Obokhai explained further that through the inspiration of Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye, operating primarily in Alexander, South Africa and other RCCG parish location, the Foundation has empowered 5,000 elderly individuals helping them gain financial independent and renewed purpose thereby providing holistic support including spiritual growth through Bible study and material aid like food, clothing, winter supplies and skills & acquisition programme.
Other notable success stories include overcoming challenges and illness through Pastor Tunde Obokhai and a dedicated team to exercise love, compassion and dignity for the elderly, changing lives and fostering great community.
