Sydney Granville Elton (or Pa Elton as he was affectionately called) left his native country, England, to come to Nigeria in March 1937, in response to a divine call to be missionary to Ilesha. Since that time right up to his home call 50 years later, Pa Elton was always at the centre of revival, playing one key role or the other.

He was part of the on-going revival at Ilesha (Spearheaded by Apostle Joseph Babalola). In the 60's he provided a platform for international evangelists like Gordon Lindsay, T.L. Osborne and others seeking to carry out evangelistic work in Nigeria.

In the 70's, he became the father of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement that emerged in the nation's campuses; in the 80's up to his passage on 13th Jan. 1987, he concentrated on teaching prophetic truths about the Kingdom of God and the emergence of the end-time overcomer company.

Pa Elton's only child, Mama Ruth Elton following the footsteps of her parents, remains in Nigeria as a missionary in the middle belt of the nation.

SOURCE: http://pasgelton..com/?m=1

Sydney Granville Elton was a man who believed he had an apostolic message for the church in Nigeria and who stopped at nothing to deliver it. He played the most significant role in shaping Pentecostalism in Nigeria during its first half century. His impact on the movement was nothing short of revolutionary and his story is crucial to rediscovering the essence that created one of the most vibrant Pentecostal movements in the world.

Pa Elton, as he was affectionately called, left his native country, England, to come to Nigeria in March 1937, in response to a divine call to be a missionary to Ilesha. He came with a clear mandate to raise a new breed of leadership in the Nigerian Church, who, powered by the Holy Spirit, would take the message of God’s kingdom and the all-conquering King to the very ends of the earth. From that time right up to his home call 50 years later, he lived in Ilesa from where he undertook those momentous missionary assignments. He was always at the centre of revival, playing one key role or the other.

He discipled a lot of the men who led (and are still leading) the Pentecostal movement in Nigeria. He was part of the on-going revival at Ilesha (spearheaded by Apostle Joseph Babalola). In the 60's he provided a platform for international evangelists like Gordon Lindsay, T.L. Osborne and others seeking to carry out evangelistic work in Nigeria. In the 70's, he became the father of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement that emerged in the nation's campuses; in the 80's up to his passage in Jan. 13, 1987, he concentrated on teaching prophetic truths about the Kingdom of God and the emergence of the end-time overcomer company.

He is undoubtedly the father of the Pentecostal Revival Movement in Nigeria. S. G. Elton followed in the footsteps of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Paul the Apostle from Tarsus and many others like them who though may be dead yet their legacies live on through the lives they have touched.

In Ile-Ife, he found a potent platform to impact and disciple young men and women who continue to be in the forefront of genuine Pentecostal revival in Nigeria. Some of outstanding men of God he mentored include Joseph Ayo Babalola and Benson Idahosa.

Under his tutelage were young men like Emeka Nwankpa, Steve Olumuyiwa (Okitika), Austin Ukachi, and John Okposio who were foundation of what used to be the Christian Students Social Movement (CSSM) which led a massive crusade that recruited young people for ministry.

Men like Reuben Ezemadu of Christian Missionary Foundation and Egbuna Offodile of Children Evangelism Ministry also trace their ministry roots to Pa Elton. Other great men that he nurtured into ministry were people like Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere of the Greater Evangelism World Crusade, Francis Wale Oke of the Sword of The Spirit Ministries, Moses Aransiola of Gethsemane Prayer Ministries and Paul Chuks Nwachukwu of Grace of God Mission.

After 50 years of a remarkably eventful ministry, Pa Elton passed on and was buried in Ilesa as was his wife who had preceded him.

SOURCE: http://naijachurchtrends..com/2018/06/pa-s-g-elton.html

REMEMBERING PA ELTON

Posted by Deji Okegbile | May 21, 2017

When l was teaching in my beloved home town, Osu, Ilesa (1981 – 1985), and in my Evangelical Christian Union days in Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo (1986), l heard about Pa S. G. Elton who left his native country, England, to come to Nigeria in March 1937 saying that, in the coming revival, "Africa is like a hand gun turned downward; Nigeria is the trigger…"

Until his passage in Ilesa on January 13, 1987, PA Elton’s fifty years fruitful ministry in Nigeria concentrated on teaching prophetic truths and he was in partnership with the on-going Oke Oye 1930 Revival in Ilesa led by Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola. Pa Elton facilitated a potent platform to impact and disciple young men and women who continue to be in the forefront of genuine evangelical revival.

Among other prophecies of Pa Elton was that "Nigeria/Nigerians will be known for corruption worldwide but the tide will turn and Nigeria will also be known for righteousness worldwide. Many shall take hold of him that is a Nigerian, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."

Pa Elton, a fruitful discipler influenced the leadership and ministry of many new generation churches in Nigeria including Archbishop Benson Idahosa of the Church of God Mission, Apostle Ayodele Babalola, of the Christ Apostolic Church, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Bishop of David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, Bishop Wale Oke of the Sword of God’s Ministry, and many others in Africa generally.

According to Pastor Oluwanisola of Life Link Ministry International, Ilesa, Pa Elton would be remembered for his ability to handover several churches he planted to others as directed and spoken to by God.

The reflection and sad news is that God is no respecter of person or nation hence, He can pass over a generation if they are unwilling to obey and cooperate with God to achieve His missional purpose. In these days and time when God’s Truths are being compromised on the altar of immediate comfort, pleasure, power, and wealth, God is saying to the church, "it is not right for us as apostles to abandon the teaching of the Word of God, and serve tables".

God is calling us to repentance and to give ourselves unto prayer and the ministry of the Word. As we thank God for the ministry of Pa Elton and others all over the world, let us pray for church and leadership renewal.

SOURCE: http://dejiokegbile.com/remembering-pa-elton/

BRIEF HISTORY OF RUTH ELTON (Daughter of the great pioneer of the Gospel, S. G Elton)

Mama Ruth Elton (a daughter of the great pioneer of the Gospel - Pastor S. G Elton) arrived in Ilesa, Nigeria in July 1937 at age three as the only daughter of her missionary parents from the Apostolic Church in England, Pastor and Mama S. G Elton.

Having been introduced to the Christian faith by her mother at age three, her passion for the Lord and for Mission grew as a consequence of the latter rain revival of the early fifties and as enthusiastic assistant to her parents, Pa Sydney and Mama Hannah Elton as they guided and nurtured the Pentecostal revival in Nigeria.

Mama Elton's personal missionary work began in 1959 after buying a small car from her earnings as a sewing teacher in the Women Training Centre in Ilesa, and some financial support from abroad. She then proceeded to Igbaruku and went on a missionary tour of Ebira, Okene. Her main focus has been the Ebira peoples in Kogi State where she has done extensive work over many years and has made a great impact on the mission field in Kogi State.

Mama Elton has by the Spirit, doggedly weathered opposition of indigenous religions, occultists and even physical violence, to pursue her missionary passion. She has also overcome challenges to her personal health, having been clubbed unconscious by a thief that stole her car, but miraculously the car was recovered by an alert policeman!

Mama Ruth Elton is also involved in training missionaries and sending them to work in rural areas. Sadly, however, at this time there are not many volunteers for missionary work. She is concerned that the saints are not passionate enough about getting the job of preaching the Gospel done.

Perhaps, it was Mama who first coined the term "Churchianity" to describe the situation where many people only go to church to enjoy themselves and are not in any way involved in fulfilling the Great Commission. Mama Ruth is firmly convinced that there is very little time left before the King comes! She is, thus passionate about seeing Christians get out of the old order of religion and becoming more focused on the work of the Kingdom.

Mama has been an inspiration to the missionaries and to Kingdom Ministers in Nigeria and abroad. Mama attends Kingdom Gospel Mission Ilesa and she is very much alive, well and strong in the spirit of Christ.

SOURCE: http://iroyinspot..com/2016/06/mama-ruth-elton-daughter-of-great.html?m=1

FLOOD OF TRIBUTES FOR MISSIONARY, RUTH ELTON, AT 80
Adesoji Adeniyi by Adesoji Adeniyi
September 21, 2014

No distance was too long for admirers of Mama Ruth Elton, a British born misionary, particularly those who have benefited from her generosity and benevolence, to be part of her 80th happy birthday. Guests came from all parts of the federation. They particularly came from towns where Mama Ruth Elton had patiently served in spreading the gospel of the Lord – from Kogi to Ondo, Oyo and Osun states.

The celebrator since she was three years old had been in Nigeria when she followed her missionary parents, Pa Sydney and Mama Hannah Elton, in July1937. Since she was introduced to the Christian faith by her parents and following the consequence of the latter rain revival of the early 50s, Mama Ruth’s passion was inspiring to others. She proved herself a worthy enthusiastic assistant to her parents in spreading the gospel in many parts of the country, particularly rural communities, where residents were yet to hear of the Word of the Lord.

The King’s Event Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, the venue of the thanksgiving service and reception, two Saturdays ago, was filled to capacity. Adorned in their best attire, the guests paid glowing tribute to the woman described by the preacher at the thanksgiving ceremony, Rev. Mike Oye, as smallish in stature but giant in faith.

The preacher said: “How to know the love of God is to be prepared to die to save lives. In God’s words, we are made to know ‘That he lays down his life for us live.’ So we too like Mama Ruth must be ready to lay ours too for others to live. Ruth was raised by wonderful parents. They came to suffer, to teach, to help people, first class evangelists. Ruth was raised in an environment of love, she grew under parents who lived by God’s principles.”

Speaking further, Rev. Oye said there was an urgent need to raise children in the fear of God just as Timothy’s parents in the Bible and Ruth’s parents had done. He said Mama Ruth’s parents emphasis was not on material values but promoting Christian standards. Chiding Christians, who laid back and doing nothing about the insurgency of the dreaded Islamic Boko Haram in the North Eastern part of the country, he said soldiers don’t sit, they go to fight, they suffer, and come back to shine after conquering the enemies.

“Boko Haram don’t sit they go to fight, soldiers don’t sit but must go and conquer. I pity those who say Boko Haram can’t come to them in other parts of the country before the rapture. They are coming, so it’s important to go out and win souls and help others. The problem with us is being disobedient to the Word of the Lord. This smallish woman (Mama Ruth) sitting here is a giant of faith, a lioness like David fighting and receiving wounds.

One of the reasons why we are not making advances is fear of suffering and love of luxury. Even Jesus suffered. If there is any Christian not suffering for the faith, then something is wrong. Ruth Elton stands out in this regard. The Christians in the South are not talking and doing enough about evil of Boko Haram in the North. We are not helping the Christians affected by this evil. It is not pentecostalism but holiness and impeccable character that will speak to people. If not for her patience and courage, Mama Ruth would have gone back to England thirty years ago. She faced great challenges, some of which even threatened her life. So, as Christians, we are to endure persecution, suffering, difficulty.”

Sam Kputu, the International Director of the Calvary Ministries, said: “There are two ways to spend your life. You either waste or invest it. That life is wasted that is spent just on transient things and ephemeral glories. That life is invested that is spent fulfilling God’s eternal purpose, the redemption of nations. Sister Ruth Elton, like her parents before her, is an example of a life well invested. Many servants of God in Nigeria today, as well as many churches and ministries, including ours, Calvary Ministries, are either direct or indirect fruits of the labours of the Eltons in this land.”

According to Emeka and Bade Nwankpa of the Intercessor For Nigeria: “The story of our lives cannot be told without the testimony of the immeasurable deposit that God made in us using Pa S. G. Elton of blessed memory. We, therefore, appreciate the Elton family more than words can describe.”

Pastor Dejo Akande of the Christ’s Ambassadors Evangelistic Team said: “The contact with Mama Elton encouraged the interest of CAET in missions that culminated in a series of mission trips to the Okene-Keton mission field, beginning from 1988. The trip exposed us to great works Mama was doing over years, especially among the Ebiras, Bassa Komo people and others around the Middle Belt of the country.”

Also, Bishop Joel Ejingwon of the Gospel Assembly Intercontinental, Agasa-Okene, Kogi State asserted: “Mama, you have positively affected the lives of the entire Ebira nation and its environs through your passion for soul wining. Your labour for the kingdom gave birth to the church now known as the Gospel Assembly Intercontinental.”

Pastor J. B. Aladega of the Kingdom Gospel Mission declared: “Sweet mother, congratulations on your 80th birthday. You have been a great blessing to your generation. Your sacrificial life and dedication to the work of the kingdom is a challenge to us. You have been a seasoning salt and light to the world. You have been shining brightly, showing the glory of God wherever you are.”

According to President, Gospel Group, Oritamefa, Ibadan, Oyo State, Brother Yinka Olufayo: “Mama, having been born into mission by our late Papa and Mama S. G. Elton, missions colossus of note, you yourself have become mission incarnate by God’s grace and divine providence.”

The General Overseer, Gethsemane Prayer Ministries International and National Director, Nigeria Prays, Ibadan, Rev. Moses Aransiola, enthused: “The life and ministry of the Elton family was certainly a major influence that shaped the out look of Christianity in Nigeria from the 70s right through the 80s. It laid a strong foundation for and produced many ministries that are today blazing the trail of gospel advance both locally and internationally. Pastor S. G. Elton was a rally point for many of us on the campuses then and only eternity can reveal how much we have benefitted from the grace of God on the Elton family.”

Some of those present at the colourful event included the former deputy governor of Kogi State, Dr. Philip Salawu, Rev. Mathew Owojole from Kaduna State, Pastors Sarah and Olubi Johnson of the Scripture Pasture Christian Centre, Ibadan, Rt. Rev. Joel Ejingwon, who worked with Mama Ruth in Okene, Kogi State, Dr. Femi Soetan, the chairman of Planning Committee for Mama Ruth 80th birthday celebration, Pastor Tokunbo Salami and wife, Funmi and other eminent men and women of God.

SOURCE: https://thenationonlineng.net/flood-of-tributes-for-missionary-ruth-elton-at-80/

THERE WAS A MAN, S. G. ELTON: THERE IS A CHURCH UNCERTAIN OF HER TRUE IDENTITY AND MANDATE
By Olugu Olugu Orji mnia Feb 12, 2014

If you studied in the University of Ife before 1987 and you were an active Christian, you would certainly have been impacted by the ministry of a man named S. G. Elton; especially if you were also part of the Evangelical Christian Union.

Twice in each yearly cycle, he would attend the meeting of ECU in the company of his wife and sometimes, their daughter, Ruth. The first event was the inauguration of the new leadership of the Union that usually happened during the Harmattan Semester and coincided with the end of a calendar year. The second, and in my opinion, the more critical meeting took place in the Rain Semester during the valedictory service (send-forth) of the graduating set. In was in those meetings I discovered the true essence of the prophetic and apostolic ministry.

Maybe I need to back-track a little to throw light on what a British family was doing in the cradle of Yoruba civilization. Pa Elton – as he was fondly addressed – had arrived Nigeria in 1937 with a clear mandate to raise a new breed of leadership in the Nigerian Church, who, powered by the Holy Spirit, will take the message of God’s kingdom and the all-conquering King to the very ends of the earth. He lived in Ilesa (about 30km from Ile-Ife) from where he undertook those momentous missionary assignments. He is undoubtedly the father of the Pentecostal Revival Movement in Nigeria.

In Ile-Ife, he found a potent platform to impact and disciple young men and women who continue to be in the forefront of genuine Pentecostal revival and missionary enterprise in Nigeria.

“But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” These were the very last words Jesus uttered before his translation. They were the first and the strongest impetus for all that Pa Elton achieved in 50 fruitful years as the untiring avatar of a spiritual movement that was steeped as much in prayer as it was in prayer-inspired action.

The saintly Joseph Ayo Babalola and the gregarious Benson Idahosa are just two of the legion he mentored. Under his inspirational tutelage, young men like Emeka Nwankpa, Steve Olumuyiwa (Okitika), Austin Ukachi, John Okposio formed the core of what used to be the Christian Students Social Movement that led a massive crusade that recruited young people for focused kingdom service. Reuben Ezemadu of Christian Missionary Foundation and Egbuna Offodile of Children Evangelism Ministry trace their ministerial roots to this blessed man.

Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere of the Greater Evangelism World Crusade, the foremost apostle of the creeks, received his marching orders while studying at the University of Ife. Even Francis Wale Oke of the Sword of The Spirit Ministries and Moses Aransiola of Gethsemane Prayer Ministries, though not ordinarily denizens of the Ife sheepfold, could not escape his vast apostolic influence.

In academia as in the corporate world are men and women who, as direct or indirect beneficiaries of Pa Elton’s ministry, continue to hold the fort; shinning the light in a world increasingly under threat of darkness. There are many more in public service who by their exemplary commitment and conduct not only amplify the merits of union with Christ, but also point to the good seed faithfully planted by one British many years back. Current Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina operates with an evangelical zeal and unwavering focus that one can now properly place. His path once crossed with Pa Elton’s.

After 50 years of a remarkably eventful ministry, Pa Elton passed on and was buried in Ilesa as was his wife who had preceded him. His daughter Ruth is now about 80 and still deeply involved in the ministry right here in Nigeria. Each time I recall his successful and most sacrificial life and ministry, I can only exclaim, “What a life, and what a legacy!” and I am happy and saddened all at once. Happy because I was privileged to drink from his wealth of prophetic insight; saddened as I behold the caricature currently making out as the bride of Christ.

Don’t be fooled by the expansive, expensive auditoria and the endless stream of trendily-attired worshippers. Take no census of the posh cars and the palaces from which their owners rolled out. That the noble in the world also now double as the pillars of the Church should confuse no one. What is playing out is simply the nurturing and maturation of a ministry relinquished by the apostles two thousand years ago.

A controversy had arisen in the early church when Greek-speaking widows complained of being discriminated in favour of Jewish-speaking widows in the daily distribution of food. Being leaders, the apostles were trying to resolve this knotty matter but had to restrain their deepening involvement. Here is my paraphrase of their dilemma. “It is not right for us as apostles to abandon the teaching of the word of God, and serve tables.” Corrective action was immediately inaugurated, freeing the apostles to attend to their primary concern; “…we will give ourselves to prayer, and the ministry of the word.”

Most of what is happening in our overflowing temples is simply ‘serving tables:’ a euphemism for attending to endless, temporal human needs. Very few disciples are being made and even fewer are committing to taking the message of the kingdom to the ends of the earth. We delude ourselves when we assume obedience to the eternal command by bequeathing one man with our resources to do the work on our behalf. So he tools around at breakneck speed and in unimaginable comfort purporting to perform the tasks divinely assigned to all of us. At the end of the day, because we lack accurate knowledge of the demands of the kingdom of God and our inalienable part in it, we remain as spiritual toddlers minded by those who have falsely assumed the position of our sole spiritual nannies.

Nigeria may host the world’s largest, single Christian congregation, she might be one of the world’s most religious enclaves, but she ranks dubiously as one of the most corrupt and lawless. The clue to unravelling this dilemma is not far-fetched: majority of the millions who purport to profess Christ are mere tots tied to the apron strings of those either ignorant of the truth or unwilling to expose the people to it; and by extension, to freedom. So the nation languishes, and the ends of the earth pine away awaiting the manifestation of God’s true sons; not this immature, carousing and lecherous lot.

It is nearly thirty years since this exemplar of missionary statesmanship concluded his earthly race survived by an illustrious company of fire-begotten men and women consumed by the eternal agenda of demolishing hell’s gate and extending the frontiers of the kingdom of the Christ.

But while Pa Elton sought painstakingly to define the criteria for the man that God uses, another company, in dubious mimicry, has been studiously moulding the image of the ‘God that man uses.’ That ‘God’ is equally touted as infinitely good, loving and merciful. The sole purpose of his being is to make his children happy by giving them designer spouses, children, wealth and every other thing their eyes and imagination can conceive. It is for their sake he runs a celestial supermarket where all they will ever crave for is stocked. So if they don’t possess it, they probably forgot to order it. Littered all over the landscape are these diaper-donning disciples of swanky apostles of conspicuous consumption enabled by their unfettered access to filthy lucre. This emerging scenario is still supremely perplexing to so many.

So while our cities and urban areas are crawling with these preachers and prophets peddling all manner of self-serving messages to undernourished spiritual babes, our villages and rural areas desperately await the arrival of the likes of Pa Elton who will give their life so they can obtain something infinitely better. It is like the timeless wisdom encapsulated in the celebrated saying: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep so he can gain what he cannot lose.” Sadly, most of what these so-called leaders currently consider as assets can be destroyed in a moment.

Ordinarily I should be despondent, but I’m not. I have hope – fervent hope – that either from within or from external prompting, this charade in the guise Pentecostal fervour will cease. Maybe we will call it a revival or a revolution: for me, it matters little. All I am assured is that once more, light and salt will be used in rightly describing the bride of Christ in Nigeria.

That is what S.G. Elton laboured so long to actualize. That is exactly what I fervently hope and pray will shortly materialize.

OLUGU OLUGU ORJI mnia
nnanta2012@gmail.com

SOURCE: http://saharareporters.com/2014/02/12/there-was-man-s-g-elton-there-church-uncertain-her-true-identity-and-mandate-olugu-olugu

God's agenda for Nigeria's greatness:

https://terrificheadlines.com/2018/06/10/sunday-tonic-gods-agenda-for-nigerias-greatness-revd-sydney-granville-elton/

Video on the missionary journey of late Pa Sydney Granville Elton to Ilesha, Nigeria:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=V6Mb2mivXWo

It's time for revival!
Nairaland revival is coming to you, and you shall be revived.

Awake you who sleep, arise and shine, and christ will give you light.


Your light, and salvation as come ho nairaland

Here is a woman whose life has been all about Christ and advancing Christ's Kingdom, Heaven will never stop smiling over her. Just like her parents her crown of glory in heaven is heavily adorned with heavenly jewels and precious stones. People of God there is nothing else we are called forth to do as Christians but to advance the agenda of God and push His kingdom beyond shores and borders, May we not lose our golden crowns over the worldly virtues and things that don't count.

Thank you for this.