By Adesina Wahab

Church leaders have challenged Christians to build lives of enduring impact that would continue to inspire generations long after their death as the second remembrance anniversary of the late Reverend Fola Achudume, popularly known as RFA, culminated in a candlelight procession in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The event, which concluded a two-day programme that began with a thanksgiving service on Sunday at the headquarters of Victory Life Bible Church International (VLBC), brought together ministers of the Gospel, family members, friends and admirers for hymns, prayers, tributes, testimonies and an educational empowerment presentation in memory of the late preacher.

Delivering the memorial address, Rev. Femi Adesina of Faith and Miracle Church, Abeokuta, said the true measure of a believer’s life was not the number of years lived but the legacy left behind.

Drawing from 2 Kings 19, he recalled God’s promise to defend Jerusalem for David’s sake, despite the king having died many years earlier.

According to him, David’s faithful service continued to attract God’s mercy because he had lived a life completely devoted to God.

“What will God remember you for?” he asked. “It is not how long one lives but how well one lives. Mama lived well. When people gather after your departure, they will not remember your possessions. They will remember your impact, your service to God and the lives you touched.”

He urged believers to devote themselves to loving God wholeheartedly and serving humanity, describing both as the only investments that outlive death.

Also speaking, the Assistant General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church International, Rev. Adeoye Adeyanju, said the late Reverend Achudume’s memory would remain meaningful only if believers continued the work she dedicated her life to.

He urged members of the church to emulate her commitment to evangelism, compassion and service, stressing that the most fitting tribute to her memory was to replicate the values she lived by.

An educational empowerment package was also presented to Olatinko Imo, the sole beneficiary of the RFA Educational Empowerment Initiative.

Presenting the package, Pastor Mrs. Funke Adeyanju said the initiative was designed to sustain Reverend Achudume’s passion for investing in lives through education.

“If Mama were here today, this is exactly what she would have done. Mama lives on, and her legacy lives on,” she said.

Many participants shared testimonies of how the late cleric’s ministry transformed their lives, describing her as a mentor, prayer warrior, teacher of the Word and a compassionate mother whose influence extended beyond the walls of the church.

At the thanksgiving service held on Sunday, members of Royal Ladies International, the women’s ministry founded by Reverend Achudume, appeared in royal purple attire, her favourite colour, to lead the congregation in thanksgiving.

The service took an emotional turn when the General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, reflected on life without his wife.

He recalled pleading with her not to leave during her final moments and admitted that her death left him unable to pray or study the Scriptures for some time.

“I couldn’t pray. I couldn’t read my Bible. If I begin to tell you about the process, many would not believe,” he said.

He also revealed that he visited the room where she passed away before attending the thanksgiving service.

“I asked myself, ‘If RFA were here today, what type of clothes would I wear to church?’ That was why I decided to wear this white native dress.”

Fighting back emotion, he added, “Sometimes I still want to break down. But God is faithful.”

The congregation fell silent as he addressed his late wife, saying, “RFA, you didn’t do well o. It was so bad… and it is still bad. But God is faithful,” before leading worshippers in singing I’ve Never Seen the Lord Fail.