The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Mercyland Sanctuary, Lagos, has instituted an annual N500,000 Johnny Ideh Award for the Best Instrumentalist in honour and memory of one of its pioneering members, the late Mr. Johnny Ideh, in recognition of his impact on the parish and his passion for music.

The announcement was made by the church during the presentation of a posthumous award to the late Johnny Ideh at the thanksgiving service marking the 30th anniversary of RCCG Mercyland Parish on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

The anniversary celebration provided an opportunity for the parish to honour some of those whose contributions helped to lay the foundation for the assembly three decades ago. Among those recognised was the late Johnny Ideh, one of the pioneering members of the parish and husband of Apostle Dr. Elishamah Ideh, a popular evangelist and social welfare advocate, President and Founder of Christ the Ever Present Ministry (CTEM), as well as President and Convener of Partnership for New Nigerian (PFANN).

Speaking during the posthumous award presentation, Pastor Gbenga Oyebode, the Pastor in Charge of RCCG Mercyland Sanctuary, disclosed that the late Ideh, until his passage, was the captain of the workers-in-training who pioneered RCCG Mercyland Parish 30 years ago.

Pastor Oyebode further disclosed that the Johnny Ideh Award for the Best Instrumentalist, instituted by the church in his honour, would be sustained for the next five years in his name and memory.

Apostle Elishamah Ideh, who was physically present at the anniversary celebration with her children, grandchildren and other family members, received the posthumous award on behalf of her late husband.

Speaking with Christian Benefits Magazine shortly after receiving the award, Apostle Elishamah recalled the family’s longstanding connection with the parish.

“This is my local assembly, RCCG Mercyland, where we started our journey as workers in the Lord’s vineyard. It’s exciting to witness and participate in the thanksgiving service of the 30th anniversary of this parish on September 13, 2026.

“We were on ground to receive the posthumous award on behalf of my late husband of blessed memory, Johnny Ideh.”

She recalled that she and her late husband were among the pioneering members of RCCG Mercyland Parish, noting that the latest honour was the second award the parish had bestowed on him.

“I remember when he was first honoured by the assembly when the parish celebrated its 25th anniversary. This shows the level of his impact,” she said.

Speaking further on the posthumous honour and the annual award instituted in her late husband’s memory, Apostle Elishamah described the recognition as a testimony to the enduring impact of his service to the Kingdom.

“This is a generational impact! El-Shakar Ideh and I were on ground to receive the posthumous award alongside other pioneering members too for great services in the Kingdom.

“On behalf of his dad, my late husband of blessed memory, and as pioneering founding members who Johnny Ideh and I were, I express profound gratitude to this parish for the second honour bestowed on my late husband.

“Even El-Shakar was raised in this parish from one year old as one of the founding members too.

“Thank you, Lord Jesus, because no man can take this honour unto themselves except it is given from above.

“Thank you, RCCG Mercyland Parish. Thank you, Pastor Gbenga Oyebode, Pastor in Charge of Mercyland Sanctuary, APICP LP44,” the amiable woman of God expressed.

Speaking about the significance of the N500,000 annual award for the best instrumentalist, Apostle Elishamah said it was particularly meaningful because of her late husband’s passion for music and his contribution to the development of instrumentalists.

“This is because my late husband, Johnny Ideh, had a lot of passion for music. He converted some of the best instrumentalists to Christ in his time.

“He was the captain of our set that pushed the move from the RCCG Ikeja Family to birth the first parish on the Island in Ikoyi before the parish finally had its permanent site on Odunlami Street, Lagos Island.

“So, it’s wow that RCCG Mercyland Parish is now 30 years! Blessed be God,” Apostle Elishamah remarked.

She also expressed appreciation to other individuals whom she said contributed to the journey of the pioneering workers.

“Thank you, RCCG Mercyland. Thank you, Pastor Akin Osuntoki, for the inspiration from the Lord as the assistant class captain of our set of workers 30 years ago,” she added.

Concluding her remarks, Apostle Elishamah declared: “The memory of the righteous is blessed forever.”