Veteran radio evangelist dies aged 101
Popular radio evangelist and renowned pastor Efraim LyaAngula has died at the age of 101. LyaAngula, who was well-known to generations of Christians, especially in northern Namibia for his talk shows on NBC Oshiwambo radio service, died peacefully on Sunday. His son Hosea Angula, who is also the deputy judge president, said LyaAngula started preaching for the Evangelical Lutheran Ovambo-Kavango Church (ELOC) which was later changed to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN), since he was 21 years old. He dedicated 72 years of his life to missionary work.
“He spent time travelling with the church mission. He was principled and believed in God,” Angula said. LyaAngula was born in 1916 and completed his schooling at Ongwediva Boys School in 1935. In 1942 he started preaching at Oniipa and was later transferred to Ontananga and Olukonda in the 1950s. He had since settled at Olukonda. “He was a man who dedicated his life to preaching as he cared for God's people and their eternity. He was a peaceful man who would talk less,” said retired pastor Johannes Mvula. The 83-year-old Mvula said LyaAngula will be remembered for his evangelistic zeal and his spiritual gift of healing. Retired radio presenter Angula Ndjembo said he found LyaAngula already working for the national broadcaster when he joined NBC in 1986. LyaAngula presented programmes such as 'Ombiimbeli Otayi Ti Ngiini' as well as 'Kalunga Kehekeleko Alihe'.
“He attracted many followers to this programme and towards the year 2000, due to his old-age, he stopped coming to the radio station. However, there was a huge demand for him to continue and NBC staff had to travel to his homestead to record the programme. He was a real preacher,” Ndjembo said. LyaAngula retired from preaching in 1986 and became a radio evangelist. He is survived by seven children, 37 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. His memorial service will take place at Olukonda Elcin Church today, while his burial is scheduled for tomorrow.
ILENI NANDJATO
“He spent time travelling with the church mission. He was principled and believed in God,” Angula said. LyaAngula was born in 1916 and completed his schooling at Ongwediva Boys School in 1935. In 1942 he started preaching at Oniipa and was later transferred to Ontananga and Olukonda in the 1950s. He had since settled at Olukonda. “He was a man who dedicated his life to preaching as he cared for God's people and their eternity. He was a peaceful man who would talk less,” said retired pastor Johannes Mvula. The 83-year-old Mvula said LyaAngula will be remembered for his evangelistic zeal and his spiritual gift of healing. Retired radio presenter Angula Ndjembo said he found LyaAngula already working for the national broadcaster when he joined NBC in 1986. LyaAngula presented programmes such as 'Ombiimbeli Otayi Ti Ngiini' as well as 'Kalunga Kehekeleko Alihe'.
“He attracted many followers to this programme and towards the year 2000, due to his old-age, he stopped coming to the radio station. However, there was a huge demand for him to continue and NBC staff had to travel to his homestead to record the programme. He was a real preacher,” Ndjembo said. LyaAngula retired from preaching in 1986 and became a radio evangelist. He is survived by seven children, 37 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. His memorial service will take place at Olukonda Elcin Church today, while his burial is scheduled for tomorrow.
ILENI NANDJATO
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article