After 34 years of devoted service in the vineyard of the Lord, Apostle Nathaniel Oyekunle Ajayi has bowed out of active ministry, bringing to a close a remarkable chapter in the history of The Church of Pentecost in Nigeria.
The veteran minister and his wife, Mrs. Joana Oyekunle Ajayi, were celebrated at a retirement service held on Sunday, August 30, 2026, Mizpah National Revival Centre of The Church of Pentecost in Sango Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, officiated by the Regional Missions Director of Americas & Caribbean Regional Missions Bloc of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Michael Agyemang-Amoako.
The service marked the end of Apostle Ajayi’s tenure as National Head of The Church of Pentecost, Nigeria, a position he held from 2018 until his retirement in 2026.
But beyond the retirement of a national leader, the occasion became a celebration of a life poured into ministry, leadership and the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Apostle Ajayi was called into full-time ministry in 1992 and began his ministerial journey in Osogbo, where he served as District Overseer from 1992 to 1996. He subsequently served in Abeokuta, Jos, Abuja, Asaba, Lagos East and Lagos West, as well as serving as National Head of The Church of Pentecost in Liberia between 2012 and 2017.
His ministry journey was characterised by extensive pastoral and administrative responsibilities, eventually culminating in his appointment as National Head of The Church of Pentecost in Nigeria in 2018.
Throughout his years of service, Apostle Ajayi became known for a leadership style anchored in integrity, discipline, prayer and careful administration.
The General Council of The Church of Pentecost, in a testimony in his honour, described his ministry as one distinguished by spiritual depth, visionary leadership, integrity, prayerfulness, evangelistic passion and administrative excellence.
His tenure witnessed significant developments in the Nigerian church, including the acquisition and development of properties for chapel and mission-house projects in several parts of the country. Mission houses were also built or acquired in Jos, Osogbo, Iyana and Abuja to provide improved accommodation and operational support for ministers.
His administration further oversaw the creation of two additional Areas in 2022, increasing the number of Areas in Nigeria from five to seven.
One of the significant administrative interventions credited to his leadership was the re-documentation and regularisation of the church’s registration and landed properties. According to a testimony from the pastorate, the exercise helped resolve outstanding documentation issues and secure the church’s registration status.
His commitment to community and institutional partnerships was also reflected in initiatives involving the Nigeria Police Force, including the donation of a generator set and 500 copies of the Holy Bible, as well as the construction of a borehole for the Owolabi Community in Ibadan.
For those who served alongside him, however, Apostle Ajayi’s legacy goes beyond projects and administrative achievements.
Standing beside Apostle Ajayi throughout the 34 years was his wife, Mrs. Joana Adunni Ajayi, whose contribution to their ministry was equally celebrated.
Testimonies described her as a loving mother, counsellor, encourager and role model. She began full-time ministry alongside her husband in Osogbo in 1992 and served with him through various stations in Nigeria and Liberia.
She was particularly commended for her prayer life, support for ministers’ wives and contributions to the Women’s Ministry.
Together, Apostle and Mrs. Ajayi were described by the General Council as having exemplified faithful partnership in ministry through seasons of challenge and triumph.
The retirement celebration ultimately became a moment of thanksgiving for a race that had been run with commitment and faithfulness.
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