I was struggling to figure out how best to show  love and support for Uncle Steve given that my wife and I were unable to be present in person for many difficult reasons. But what I can offer is what I will give and that is honor to a GREAT man. 

I have had the pleasure of knowing Uncle Steve a large majority of my life and also to serve under him as a fellow Sunday school teacher these past 3ish years where I got a chance to know him in a different light. While growing up he was just one of my many esan uncles,  but I am extremely grateful for these last three years because I got to see that Uncle Steve is a man of principle, intelligence, and honor. 

Uncle was a man to follow as Paul describes it in 1 cor. 11:1. He did everything to align with his conviction to the cross, he led not only on speech but by action and I greatly respect him for that. We’ve had many long sessions discussing and dissecting the word in our teacher preparatory classes in order to figure out how best to equip the church with a new lesson. He has corrected me and steered me in the right direction on multiple occasions and I appreciate him for it. We may not have agreed on everything but I appreciate him always pushing me to make sure that when it came to the things of God, my understanding and communication of the gospel was accurate and I have become a better man and communicator of the gospel because of it.

Uncle Steve was not only a great man but a great man of God, and because of that we can have peace in knowing where he has gone. Thank you Uncle for how you served and thank you to the family for allowing him to be in the position he was to impact me and so many others. Until we meet again ❤️

My wife and I both send out condolences and  pray for comfort, peace and provision for the family during this time. We love you all ♥️

Words fail when we think another giant of God has departed us. Uncle Steve Johnson, calm and collected filled with wisdom and always truly caring for everyone, we will miss you very much. You may be gone from us but you will forever remain in our hearts and minds. It does and will never make sense to us BUT we know that GOD makes sense and so we celebrate the time we had with you. Adieu uncle, continue to rest in perfect peace.

To your wonderful family, may the Lord comfort and keep you all in peace, Amen .

Evangelist Vincent Ononogbo’s  family ( Judith, Chiduziem, Chibundu, and Chidiebube)

A Tribute to a Wonderful Man of God - Elder Steve Akhigbe-Johnson

Job 5:23-26 – 23 For you shall have a covenant with the stones of the field, And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you. 24 You shall know that your tent is in peace; You shall visit your dwelling and find nothing amiss. 25 You shall also know that your descendants shall be many, And your offspring like the grass of the earth. 26 You shall come to the grave at a full age, as a sheaf of grain ripens in its season.

I believe strongly that these few verses of Scripture exemplify Elder Steve’s testimony as a wonderful man of God. It has been quite difficult and surreal for me to write in the past tense a man I have known and worked closely with for more than 30 years both as members of the Esan community in the DMV area and as members of the same church; Christ Apostolic Church – Bethel Fellowship.

In all those years, I have known Elder Steve to be a man of wisdom and integrity, stable in all his ways. He was ever supportive of others – a leader and a cheerleader. He was a disciplined man with purity of heart and purpose. A seasoned teacher of the Bible, yet, always a willing student of the Word. One who loved God and the work of God so passionately that he drew and inspired many into the work of the ministry. He tirelessly impacted many people, young and old, with his lifestyle of simplicity, dedication, and leadership. Owanlen Steve (as we affectionately addressed him; the literal meaning of Owanlen in Esan/Ishan language is “the wise one”), never demanded respect from anyone but his carriage and demeanor evoked respect from all. Ever calm and always smiling even with a no-nonsense gaze.

He dedicated his life to building people and community. This I have observed in all our works together over the years. In the early days of Esan Association, the few that we were then decided to teach our children our culture by teaching them the songs and dances of our people. Elder Steve would unfailing bring his young daughters to our weekly practice until they all perfected the songs and dance moves. I can still see him proudly watching us sing and dance the day we launched the dance troupe at our end of year outing.

When our church was yet a few families, we used to celebrate Thanksgiving together as one family in a member’s home. Elder Steve with Sister Perpetua was one of those who offered their home for the church to gather and eat the thanksgiving dinner. When the Men’s Ministry originated the Cell group, Elder Steve offered his home for the Bowie Cell group to have their meetings.

His dedication to duty in the Sunday School/Education department of the church is unparalleled. Elder Steve and I were the first few to be “conscripted” into the Sunday school/teaching ministry. From the days when we would return to church every Sunday evening to prepare the lessons for the following Sunday to when he became the Sunday School Superintendent, Elder Steve’s enthusiasm and dedication to teaching the undiluted word of God did not wane. He remained steadfast to the very end.

When the Church grew a branch in Upper Marlboro, we decided to inaugurate a Bible Training program where we studied the word of God and the principles of Christian living using books written by earlier Generals of the faith. We met biweekly for classes from 2015 to early 2020 when the Covid 19 pandemic restricted in-person meetings. Elder Steve, a Bible scholar and a Sunday School teacher of repute, was the one of first set of people to sign up for this training program. And he would sit through the classes as a new student in all our meetings. After class, he would rave to me about how well I taught the class and how much he gained from the lessons. This was the extent of his humility and simplicity.

It is quite instructive that this man in his characteristic simplicity just got up and went home to be with the Lord without fanfare. We are saddened by the abruptness of his departure but will be forever grateful to God for giving us a man such as Elder Steve. We are glad that Elder Steve, like David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep.

My family and I are going to miss Owanlen Steve, Elder Steve, Uncle Steve; as he was known in my home. We pray for the Lord to comfort the family that he left behind. May you be comforted and may you be inspired by the legacy of his godliness and of his service to humanity.

Pastor Osajele and Evangelist Betty Ehikhamenor and Family

Dear Elder Steve Akhigbe Johnson, It was with shock and great sadness when we heard of your passing to rest with the Lord on Thursday June 12, 2025. We are going to miss you,  your kind and warm smile. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. We pray for God's comfort for your dear wife , children and grandchildren. You have left a legacy of godly lifestyle and service in the Lord's vineyard. We love you, Jesus loves you more.

The Babalola-Davies Family. (Yinka, Akin, Femi, Jennifer, Anu, Jr. & Ifeoluwa)