Over 5,000 Elderly Benefitted from RCCG Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye’s Foundation in Alexandra, South Africa
…as foundation celebrates 12 years of selfless service
Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye, wife of Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), reaffirmed her commitment to serving the elderly at the 12th anniversary of the Heart of Love Foundation in South Africa on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Addressing the gathering, she emphasized the importance of extending Christ’s love to senior citizens, particularly in underserved communities.
Heart of Love Foundation, which began in 2011, has grown to provide monthly support, including prayer meetings and grocery supplies, to over 1,000 elderly individuals—affectionately known as “go-gos” (grandmothers) and “madalas” (grandfathers)—in Alexandra, South Africa. Pastor Folu recounted how a conversation with Hon. Okey Emuchay MFR, then Consul General of Nigeria in South Africa, sparked the initiative.
“Although, this idea came up when I visited the Consul General of Nigeria embassy in South Africa Hon. Okey Emuchay MFR, 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; 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 in His infinite mercy, the one who knows all things and can do all things and then immediately we zoom into action. We began to enrich lives both physically and spiritually.”
Pastor Tunde Obokhai, the foundation’s coordinator, highlighted its evolution. “We started small, meeting with just five elderly women. With the unwavering support of Pastor Folu Adeboye, who has been the sole funder, we’ve grown to empower over 5,000 elderly individuals. Through this initiative the foundation has helped them gain financial independent and renewed purpose. However, in 2011 when our spiritual parent came visiting, to attend our annual convention which was in July 2011, they sort to see the Consul General of Nigeria consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa then in person of Hon. Okey Emuchay MFR, there the inspiration began and then she came up with the idea, the 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 introduce 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.”
The initiative also led to the establishment of the Jesus Ambassador Parish, an RCCG congregation in Alexandra, providing a spiritual home for the elderly and beyond its primary work in Alexandra, the Heart of Love Foundation has extended its reach to other RCCG locations thereby empowering 5,000 elderly individuals gain financial independent and renewed purpose providing holistic support which includes 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.
