Late Pastor Mike Alabi was born on July 10, 1968 in Ibadan, Oyo State, to the family of Alhaji Idris Alabi Fadiora and Alhaja Rabiatu Apeke Fadiora. He was the last born of his family and was fondly loved by his parents because of his brilliance in school and in Qur'an learning.

He attended Methodist Primary School, Akintola Road, Ibadan and Hamadiya Secondary School, Eleyele, Ibadan. His university education was at the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a B.Sc in Political Science and an M.Sc in International Relations.

He eventually lost his mother as a teenager and had to take care of himself — a season that shaped his remarkable resilience and strength of character.

Mike Alabi married Kemi Alabi and their union is blessed with children. He was a loving husband, a caring father, a disciplinarian, a devoted Christian, and a Soldier of Christ.

He lived a life of humility, sacrifice, kindness to humanity and love. He is survived by his wife, children, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.

Mike Alabi met Christ as a teenager — the first in his family to do so. As the last born, he had studied the Qur'an and was positioned to become an Alfa. But he met Christ in a dramatic and unmistakable way.

As a radical Muslim teenager, he planned to secretly throw a stone to break the windscreen of a church bus parked on the roadside. But as soon as he picked up the stone, everything turned white. He could not see anything. He heard a voice say:

“Soji, Soji, why are you against me? What if you get to heaven and you realize that the God you are against is your Judge?”

Then everything returned to normal. Soji was shaking to his bones. He ran home, covered himself and stayed indoors for a week. He later met Christ at a church programme where a persistent friend had invited him.

His confession of faith as a Christian caused his father — an Alhaji — to send him out of the family home as a teenager. Yet from that moment, he never looked back. He remained strong in the faith, committed to evangelism and to building the body of Christ, a pillar of support to many young Christians around the world.

Mike Alabi had consistently been in the service of God since he was born again. He served as a Sunday school teacher, Evangelism leader on Campus and during his National Youth Service year.

He was a pastor in Jesus Jewels International Church before relocating to Abuja, where he joined RCCG. Before his passing, he served as Pastor in Charge of Overflowing Grace Parish, Exclusive Addition Areas, Saburi, Abuja.

Mike Alabi — fondly called “Mr. Skill” by all the children — was remembered by his children as both a friend and a disciplinarian. He was loved by all: the children, the teenagers, the youth, the women of Zion and the excellent men.

• He left a touch of care, hope and love on everyone he encountered.
• He had a passion for lost souls and building the body of Christ.
• He left a legacy of service, unwavering faith in God and love for all.
• His memories of good deeds will continue to remain in our hearts.