Since the announcement of the Call to Glory of the great servant of God, many people have written several tributes and comments — with some even claiming to have received the mantle for a double portion of his anointing.
Let me first state that, although I never had the privilege of meeting him face to face or sitting under his ministration directly — apart from few clips of his messages I listened to or watched on TV and social media — I can boldly say that the life and ministry of Baba Uma Ukpai stand tall alongside that of the great father of Pentecostalism, Archbishop Benson Idahosa, (a man who greatly influenced my faith in the miraculous as a young Pastor in the 90s before he was called to glory on the 12th of March, 1998.
Of all the stories about Dr. Uma Ukpai that I have come across years back, the one that most deeply moved me reveals “His Bounce Back to Divine Power.” Please take a moment to read it.
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His Bounce Back to Divine Power
As a young pastor, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai fell into sin. He had an affair with a young lady several times. Later, after a genuine encounter with God, he decided to end the relationship and turn away from sin. The lady, feeling hurt and betrayed, became angry — perhaps thinking she had been used and dumped. The same man who once professed affection was now calling her a tool of the devil.
In her pain, she went to the church and reported him to the senior pastor, exposing how the young Pastor Uma had been sneaking into her room at night after church vigils. The church reacted swiftly: he was publicly suspended and disgraced. He was asked to vacate his one-room apartment in the pastor’s quarters, out of fear that he might influence or harm others.
Homeless and rejected, he sought refuge in an old, uncompleted building without a roof. Whenever it rained, he was drenched. All he had were a few clothes and his Bible. Yet, in that lonely place, he desperately sought God.
The same villagers who once saw him as a man of God now mocked him. Even his parents rejected him, rejoicing that “the gods of the land” had finally punished him. But there, in that broken place, Uma Ukpai prayed day and night:
“Lord, give me power. If You have truly forgiven me, give me Your anointing.”
He fasted continually. A kind woman would bring him food daily, but often found that he hadn’t touched the previous meal — he was too lost in prayer and tears.
Months later, the church restored him, but the stigma remained. People avoided him; few dared call him “Pastor.” Then one December, a renowned man of God was scheduled to minister in their community. The sick, blind, and lame all gathered in anticipation. But suddenly, news came that the guest speaker would not be coming.
Panic spread among the pastors — none felt worthy to take the pulpit. In desperation, someone suggested, “Let’s ask Pastor Uma Ukpai.” It wasn’t faith that moved them, but a desire to shift possible embarrassment to him.
When he climbed the stage, people began leaving. The interpreter dropped the microphone and walked away. Others murmured, “What can this fornicator say to us?” Uma wept openly. Still, he began to sing softly through his tears. Then — the atmosphere shifted.
A crippled man suddenly shouted and began to walk! Then a blind woman screamed, “I can see! I can see!” More miracles erupted everywhere. People who had left ran back, thinking the famous preacher had arrived. But it was still the same young man — broken, forgiven, and restored — standing in tears before God.
Soon, the interpreter who had left and returned was struck by the power of God and fell under the anointing. The entire field was filled with healings and deliverance. People wept, repented, and glorified God. That night, the crusade that was meant to end by 8 p.m. continued until midnight — filled with testimonies of divine restoration and power.
From that moment, God announced His servant again. The same man who was once rejected became one of the most sought-after ministers in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.
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A Word of Encouragement
As we pay our tributes to this great general of faith, I feel led to encourage anyone whom the devil has whispered to that “it is over.”Do not believe that lie. You can rise again. You can bounce back — stronger and more anointed than ever before.
And to those claiming his mantle of a double portion, perhaps that mantle is meant for someone who, like the young Uma Ukpai once was, is down right now — someone God is about to restore through this very testimony.
If that’s you, rise from the ashes. God is set to give you double for your shame.
Shalom.
Rev. Dr. Israel Kristilere is the Senior Pastor of Shepherdhill Baptist Church, Obanikoro, Kagod
