“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse” (Malachi Chapter 4 verses 5-6).


One of the functions of the prophetic Spirit in these last days is the turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children and vice versa. God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Matthew 22:32). Thus, his operations are transgenerational. Whatever he intends to do in our day is connected to what he has done in generations past. Hence, we must learn to trace his move and honor those he has used in the past because a generation that refuses to honor the fathers will not receive their inheritance.

In Nigeria today, many apostolic and prophetic voices are rising, igniting, and spreading the fire of God across the nation and to other parts of the world. The rise of the Nigerian church can be likened to the exploits of several missionaries who spent their lives establishing Christianity across the nation. One such missionary is the late Pa Sydney Elton.

Pastor Sydney Granville Elton was born in England on April 16, 1907. The early 20th century saw the rise of Pentecostalism in England as men like Alexander Boddy and Thomas Barrett preached on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit accompanied by the sign of speaking in other tongues. In Sunderland, a Pentecostal revival broke out in 1907, even as the Azusa Street revival was going on in Los Angeles. Around 1928, God began to stir in Pa Elton’s heart a desire for the gifts of the Spirit. Around the same year, Pa Elton began to perceive his call to ministry after reading a book by the Presbyterian missionary to Nigeria, Mary Slessor. He later joined the Apostolic Church in England, where he learned about the gifts of the Spirit. God began to speak to him about his call to Nigeria and the exact location he was to go—Ilesa. He was so sure about his call that he named his dog, Ilesa, before leaving England.

Pa Elton arrived in Ilesa, the western part of Nigeria, on March 11, 1937. He came to Nigeria confident of his mission to the Nigerian church: to raise the next generation of leaders, preserve the gains of the revival that broke out in the 1930s, and set a foundation of sound doctrine for the church.

The 1930s was a significant decade in the Nigerian church as it saw the rise of the Oke-Oye revival led by Apostle Ayo Babalola, a prophetic and apostolic minister known for great signs and wonders. This revival took place in Ilesa. Thus, when Pa Elton arrived in Ilesa, he joined forces with Apostle Ayo Babalola. He became a mentor to Apostle Babalola. The church in Ilesa was already used to the prophetic, accompanied by incredible signs and wonders. Still, Pa Elton brought essential aspects to the church, such as doctrine, balance, and the need for discipleship. 

Like the Biblical apostles, God used him to set a foundation for the Nigerian church. Thus, he was not just a missionary. Still, like the Apostle Paul, an apostolic and prophetic voice, carefully setting the foundation of the church in a nation he prophesied would trigger the revival coming out of Africa.
One of his enduring legacies was his vision for the younger generation. He was a true father, shepherding the next generation toward the apostolic and prophetic mandate God had shown him concerning Nigeria. He saw the universities across Nigeria as platforms from which apostolic leaders would arise. He mentored young men and women on university campuses, some of whom formed the ECU (Evangelical Christian Union). Under his tutelage were young men who later became the leaders of various denominations across Nigeria. Great men of God like Ruben Ezemadu of Christian Missionary Foundation, Egbuna Offodile of Children Evangelism Ministry, Bishop Francis Wale Oke of Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Moses Aransiola of Gethsemane Prayer Ministries all trace their roots to Pa Sydney Elton. His ministry also influenced Pentecostal fathers such as Archbishop Benson Idahosa, Apostle Ayo Babalola, Bishop David Oyedepo, and Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

After 50 years of eventful ministry, he passed away on January 13, 1987. He was buried at Ilesa. Before he died, he spoke this prophecy about Nigeria:
“Nigeria and Nigerians will be known all over the world for corruption. Your name Nigeria will stink for corruption, but after a while, a new phase will come, a phase of righteousness. People from the nations of the earth will hold to a Nigerian and say, “we want to follow you to your nation to go and learn righteousness.”
I firmly believe that we will see the fulfillment of this prophecy in our generation. Nigeria, arise and shine, for your time has come!