“Smallish in stature but giant in Faith”
The story of so many journeys in the Christian-Faith cannot be told without the immeasurable deposit that God made in Africa and particularly in Nigeria, using Pa S.G Elton of Blessed Memory and his family.
John 14:12
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father”.
Mama Ruth was born on the 13 September, 1934 to the family of Syndey Granville Elton. A British born missionary, the daughter of the great pioneer of the Gospel – Pastor Sydney Granville Elton, who laboured with his wife for God’s kingdom in Nigeria, died and were both buried in Ilesa-Osun State Nigeria.
The life and Ministry of the Elton family has been a major influence that has shaped the outlook of Christianity in Nigeria from the 70s right through the 80s up till date. Only eternity can reveal how much a lot of people have benefited from the grace of God on the Elton’s family.
Mama Ruth arrived in Ilesa alongside her parents, in July 1937. Mama Ruth Elton was introduced to the Christian faith by her parents at age three, her passion for the Lord and the mission grew as a result of the latter rain revival of the early fifties and she proved herself a worthy assistant to her parents, Pa Sydney and Mama Hannah Elton in spreading the Gospel in many parts of the country as they guided and nurtured the Pentecostal revival in Nigeria.
The seed of faith for soul-winning, hewn in the fabrics of passion for the great commission began to grow in the heart of Mama Ruth Elton.
Mama Elton’s personal missionary started in 1959 after she bought a small car from her earnings as a Sewing Teacher in the Women Training Centre in Ilesa and support from abroad. Mama Ruth proceeded to Igbaruku on a missionary tour of Ebiras in Okene, present Kogi State, she had done a great work over the years and had made impact on the mission field in Kogi State(especially to the Ebiras, Bassa Komo people and others around the Middle Belt of Nigeria).
In gratitude for what the Lord did through His grace upon Mama Ruth Elton, she was named “Ometere” by the Ebira-Christians which she had laboured for, meaning, “the one who does well”.
Mama Ruth fought numerous battles by the Spirit and even endured physical violence in the course of her missionary journey. While actively engaged in that, she also overcame challenges to her personal health. At one time, she was clubbed out of consciousness by a thief that stole her car but miraculously the car was recovered by a policeman!
According to sources, during that time, there were not many volunteers for the missionary work but it didn’t stop her from working. She kept on doing the work with passion and zeal undeterred.
Mama Ruth Elton is passionate about seeing Christians move out of the old order of religion and becoming more focused on the work of the kingdom. And for this she has refused to be called founder or to be made an overseer over many of the churches her mission had founded.
Mama Ruth Elton has been a great inspiration to the missionaries and Kingdom Ministers in Nigeria and abroad.
Mama has invested her entire life to God and the ministry. Her life is an example of a life well invested. A giant of faith, fighting for God’s kingdom on earth receiving wounds and enduring the pain as the Bible admonishes us in Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Mama Ruth Elton is a virtuous woman indeed, her patience and courage kept her in the country, Nigeria for years. And this at some point, led her to nationalize, becoming a full fledged Nigerian; for the sake of the kingdom assignment…..
Luke 18:29-30
‘And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting ;
Mama Ruth Elton has faced great challenges some of which threatened her life but she still stood tall and firm in fulfilling God’s purpose for His children. Mama Ruth is a great mentor, grandmother, teacher worthy of emulation to a lot of us. Mama Ruth was raised by her wonderful parents, raised in an environment of love under parents who lived by God’s principles.
Mama Ruth’s passion for soul winning is top notch. She has been a great blessing to her generation. Her sacrificial life has been a challenge to so many people. Her labour for the kingdom has given birth to a lot of Churches including the Gospel Assembly Intercontinental, a church headquartered in Okene-Kogi State, with branches all scattered beyond.
Mama Ruth in her capacity in spreading the Gospel of the Lord, made disciples for Jesus and established them in small groups which have all grown to become a strong church with branches in different parts of Kogi, Kwara, Niger States and Abuja.
Mama Ruth Elton even in old age, yet remains a seasoning salt, showing the Glory of God. And most interesting to know is that Mama speaks Ebira, Bassa, Yoruba, Hausa languages, including Pidgin.
Sources
Nigeriansinsouthafrica
Thenationonline
#SuccessSaturday
#MamaRuthElton
#ChurchGist
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