The founder and president of LoveWorld Incorporated, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has spoken for the first time following the death of his mother, Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, describing her passing as a transition rather than a loss.
Pastor Chris disclosed that his mother passed away on Friday morning while speaking during the ongoing Global Day of Prayer programme.
The cleric said he and his siblings had spent time with their mother in the weeks leading to her death, adding that the period gave him another opportunity to express his gratitude for her impact on his life.
Recalling her influence, Pastor Chris said:
“Yesterday Friday morning, my sweet mum went to be with the Lord. You know the Bible is very clear as to where a child of God goes.”
He said he had consistently appreciated his mother in recent years for the role she played in shaping him.
“For me, in the last six, seven years, there was no time I got to be with her that I didn’t appreciate her for the things you did to me.”
The Christ Embassy founder thanked his mother for the lessons she taught him from childhood, including personal discipline and faith.
“I will say thank you for teaching me how to brush my teeth, thank you for teaching me how to dress. I am preaching today, to the whole world, and it’s because of you and daddy.”
He also credited his parents for creating a home where he and his siblings were introduced to Christianity.
“Thank you for giving me and my siblings a home where we could know Jesus Christ. Thank you for showing us the right path.”
Pastor Chris said although it appeared in recent weeks that his mother’s time was near, he continued to remind her of his gratitude.
He added that he was not immediately focusing on celebrating her life story, saying there would be time for that.
“Today, I’m not eulogising her for the moment, there’s a time for that.”
Describing his mother’s personality, Pastor Chris said she was a loving and remarkable woman, adding that people often noted his resemblance to her.
“I definitely love my mum, she was amazing. She was so sweet and when you look at me, you can tell. They used to say among the children, I resembled her the most.”
Addressing the reaction to her death, Pastor Chris rejected the description that he had lost his mother, explaining that his Christian faith shaped his understanding of death.
“Someone said Pastor Chris loses mum, no I didn’t lose mum. In Christ, you don’t lose them.”
He added: “Soon as she was absent in the body, she was immediately present with the Lord.”
The cleric said he had encouraged his siblings to remain thankful, noting that many people had lost their parents earlier in life.
He also announced that details of his mother’s funeral would be released soon.
Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome was the mother of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Rev. Ken Oyakhilome and Kathy Woghiren.