By Solomon OKPO | The Evangelist News Desk
Residents of Aleto in Eleme, Rivers State, and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) community were thrown into shock and mourning on Thursday when their Resident Pastor, Deacon Steve Eyo, suddenly collapsed and died while preaching at a funeral service.
Ironically, Pastor Eyo was delivering a sermon titled “The Certainty of Death and Hope Beyond” when tragedy struck.
In his message, the pastor reminded the congregation that death is inevitable and that nobody can escape it. He compared life to going to the market, explaining that while some people leave the market early, others remain there until later. In the same way, he said, some people die young while others live to an advanced age.
He also warned that death can come at a time nobody expects.
Pastor Eyo began his sermon at about 1:10 p.m., telling the mourners and other worshippers that the burial ceremony itself was a reminder that death is not necessarily the end, as judgment follows after death.
He encouraged those present to live wisely and make good use of their time, urging them to “number their days” and prepare themselves spiritually.
His final words were particularly striking: “Number your days and prepare, for it can happen anytime.”
About 15 minutes into the sermon, Pastor Eyo suddenly collapsed. His microphone fell to the floor with a loud sound, leaving those present stunned.
Because he had been speaking extensively about death and had just warned that it could come at any time, some initially thought his fall was part of the sermon a dramatic illustration of the suddenness of death. It soon became clear, however, that the situation was real and serious.
The pastor was quickly moved to the back of the venue, where members of the church choir and other ministers gathered around him and prayed. People with medical knowledge among those present also attempted to administer first aid.
A medical person later indicated that the pastor had stopped breathing. He was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital in the same ambulance that had been hired to transport the remains of the deceased whose burial service he had been conducting.
Sadly, Pastor Eyo was confirmed dead at the hospital and his remains were subsequently taken to the mortuary.
His sudden death, coming moments after he had been preaching about the certainty and unpredictability of death, has left the RCCG community, residents of Aleto and other mourners deeply shocked and reflective.
