Pastor Dorcas Eleyae

A brief Story of Our Matriach, Pastor Dorcas O. Eleyae.

Our beloved mother Dorcas and darling wife of our beloved Dad, Sir Awoture Eleyae was born on the  6 th of October 1938 as the third of four children in Uzere Kingdom (the UK of Nigeria) in Delta State to Mr. and Mrs Sawyer. Her father was a very godly man. Her sense of the fear of God, dedication to God and love for God came from her father leading her to eventually commit her heart to Jesus Christ as her Lord, Saviour, Healer, Deliverer and The soon coming King.   She was baptized and confirmed in the Anglican Communion. In her later years God called her to serve Him for a period in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) where she rose from Assistant Pastor to Zonal Pastor. She pioneered and built new parishes and pastored with her whole heart and strength. She later retired from RCCG and joined her husband fully in the Anglican Communion where she worshipped and served until, she transited to glory. She was a committed member of the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship International (FGBMFI). She was a real time evangelist, printing out scriptures which she distributed to all God sent her to. She lived and ran a lifestyle ‘Dorcas’ Ministry where she continually ministered to children and the needy on a daily basis. There was always food on her table for all who visited her home. Flowing from that, there was never scarcity on that table.

Dorcas was a woman of many parts. She got involved in many businesses to contribute to the upkeep of her home and raising her children. She once had a big sewing institute in Lagos and Benin where she made clothes and trained many students. She had a big farm and was involved in contracting jobs for companies. Though Dorcas did not have opportunity to finish her education due to the itinerant nature of her elder brother with whom she was staying she  taught herself English and Math, employing teachers to take her through.

She remained head over heels in love with her husband all through their 68 years of marriage. She was by his side always denying herself of her own interest. She travelled the world with her husband as he served as the Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Sports in  Africa.  She was by his side from South Africa, Morocco, Kenya to Egypt, Canada, United States to Europe, Australia and many other countries of the world.

Both of them have come through good and trying times like when their beloved daughter Ewoma Ukoli and grandsons Emmanuel and Daniel Ogbuigwe went to be with The Lord. However their faith and fervour in God remained strong. Her surviving husband, our beloved Papa is still growing strong in The Lord at 95 years old.

Dorcas continued to be an inspiration to her family, church, and community. She continued to teach and inspire young couples on principles to make their marriage work and how to build a successful home. She believed that knowledge and good education were critical assets for everyone to possess and that with the right knowledge you can provide solutions to whatever problems you encounter. She believed that strong families are the building blocks of strong society hence her passion in speaking to youths and intending couples on Gods idea of marriage. She maintained until her transition that a life without Christ Jesus is an empty life no matter the earthly titles accumulated!

Dorcas Eleyae was a woman of wisdom, vision and purpose. She was completely sold out to God, driven to do His will. Right from her childhood when she didn’t know much about God, she cried out to God to help her raise children that will know God and have better educational opportunities than she had. God answered her prayers.

Dorcas is blessed with 6 biological children, all committed  Christians and successful professionals and entrepreneurs; 24 grandchildren who are successful leaders in their own fields, medical science, arts, business, etc and 12 great grandchildren. She also considered her husbands younger brothers who grew up with her as her children in particular Rev. Matthew Eleyae and his family who she loved as her biological children. She had innumerable dear people who called her Mummy. Her children are numerous. Her workers were all her children. Her driver of many years, Mr. ThankGod Goje was just like a son to her; and indeed all her helpers at home, Joy and Chidi; and Frances Ekeh that she got to know during her last year on earth. And of course her adopted ward Jessica. They fought and quarrelled many times but nobody could separate her from Jessica. She loved her and took care of her as she would her grand children. Our Matriarch, Pastor (Mrs) Dorcas Eleyae has indeed passed the Barton of Christ to her lineage who have been dedicated to living for Christ and promoting the Kingdom of God on Earth as confirmed in Psalm 112:

“Praise The Lord! How joyful are those who fear The Lord and delight in obeying His commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.” Psalms‬

“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from The Lord.” And Mary said: “My soul magnifies The Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He Has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He Who is mighty Has done great things for me, And holy is His Name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He Hasshown strength with His arm; He Has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He Had put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He Had filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He Had sent away empty. He Has Helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.” ……” Luke‬