RCCG pastor dies while preaching about death at funeral in Rivers

By Njideka Agbo |Ichie Times 

Members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and residents of Aleto community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State were thrown into shock on Friday, October 2, after a pastor reportedly collapsed while preaching at a funeral service and was later pronounced dead.

The deceased, identified as Deacon Steve Eyo, was reportedly the officiating minister at the funeral service.

According to reports, Eyo was preaching on the topic, “The Certainty of Death and Hope Beyond,” when he suddenly collapsed about 15 minutes into his sermon.

Eyewitnesses said the pastor had been speaking about the inevitability of death, explaining that it could come unexpectedly and that while some people live longer, others die earlier.

The cleric reportedly used the analogy of people going to the market, noting that some leave early while others remain until later.

Moments later, the pastor suddenly fell, with the microphone hitting the floor.

Some mourners initially thought the incident was part of the sermon because of the subject he had been discussing, but it soon became clear that he was in distress.

He was immediately taken to another part of the premises, where church ministers and choir members gathered around him while prayers were offered. People with medical knowledge also reportedly administered first aid.

A medical personnel later observed that the pastor had stopped breathing, after which he was rushed to a nearby hospital in the ambulance that had been hired to convey the remains of the deceased person whose funeral was being held.

He was subsequently pronounced dead at the hospital, and his remains were deposited at a mortuary.

The circumstances surrounding his death were not immediately clear.