Dear friends and family of New Wine Church:
It is with a sad and heavy heart that I offer my deepest condolence, on behalf of all my colleagues at Christian Aid, to Lady Ayo Olawore, Emmanuel, Joshua and Zoe, the leadership and family of New Wine Church on the loss and home-going of a dear husband, father, friend and confidant, Pastor Michael Olawore.
The news of Pastor Michael’s death was so unexpected and by human reckoning, untimely and undesirable. Our brother, friend and pastor, had so many plans, dreams and aspirations to expand the Kingdom of God and the mission of the Church. Yet, we rejoice because on 6th July 2018, God’s offer was irresistible: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).
In confidence, we trust in God, whose ways are perfect and just, and who is able to complete whatever He has started.
I met Pastor Michael through Pastor Tayo Adeyemi in the very early years of New Wine Church and throughout the years, we have worked together in the background. I will miss the hours we spent reflecting theologically, challenging each other, strategising and testing out what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.
Pastor Michael was also a friend of Christian Aid. He welcomed our Chairman and former Archbishop of Canterbury, The Right Revd Dr Rowan Williams, to New Wine for Christian Aid Week in May 2015; and on the 4th April 2018, New Wine Choir joined other friends of Christian Aid to form our Martin Luther King Celebration Choir at the Rediscovering Justice Service and Symposium, at a capacity-filled Westminster Abbey on the 50th Anniversary of the Assassination of Revd Dr Martin Luther King Jr, where Pastor Michael attended with some of his leaders.
As we celebrate Pastor Michael’s life, how he lived and served God and His people, with passion and the beauty of holiness, we also reflect on our own lives, trusting that we too would be impactful and faithful to the end.
Pastor Michael, may you enjoy your rest and worship in the presence of God.
Your colleague and friend in His service.
