TWR is deeply saddened to announce that the Rev. Stephen Boakye-Yiadom, TWR International Director for Africa, unexpectedly died on Saturday, June 2, 2007. Please uphold the Boakye-Yiadom family and the staff of TWR, especially those in Africa, in prayer during this difficult time.
Stephen is survived by his wife, Grace; son, Akwasi; and daughters, Herta, Hanna and Akosua, all of Ghana, Africa. Stephen was resting at home on Saturday when, at approximately 4 p.m., he was called home to be with the Lord. He was 63.
Stephen served TWR faithfully since September 1975 when he joined TWR’s German partner, ERF, as an intern. In 1976, he went to Nairobi, Kenya, as an ERF missionary to establish a new office and production center in the country. Within a few years, he was appointed as TWR’s General Secretary for Africa, and in 1992 was elected to direct TWR’s Africa region from Johannesburg, South Africa.
“Stephen was more than a pastor and leader,” said Ray Alary, human resources director for TWR-Africa. “He was our friend, who showed his care and love to each of us who worked with him. Stephen always told us that we were not simply a group of people working together who used radio as a tool to share the gospel. He would tell us that we were a family, and he showed this every day in the way he acted and lived out his life.”
A memorial service was held at the Kempton Park Methodist Church on Thursday, June 7, at 2 p.m. Trans World Radio considered this day to be an international day of prayer for the Africa region, TWR-Africa staff and the Boakye-Yiadom family.
The memorial service was broadcast live on TWR-Africa's Web site via Windows Media streaming video from 2 p.m. [8 a.m. EDT]. Friends, listeners and family were welcome to join the Web cast at approximately 1:50 p.m. [7:50 a.m. EDT] on Thursday by accessing the link on the home page of that site.
Those wishing to give a gift in lieu of flowers may do so to the Stephen Boakye-Yiadom Memorial Fund, which will benefit the ministries of TWR-Africa and ERF. Gifts can be given through your closest Trans World Radio or ERF office. Please contact them for bank account details.
Update:Read a tribute to Stephen that was read by his son, Akwasi, during the memorial service by clicking here.
Thank you to those who have left comments or notes of sympathy. You may send one by mail to TWR-Africa: Trans World Radio, Box 4232, Kempton Park, 1620, South Africa.
honor
Dear family, as I read of your sorrow that we all must endure someday, time and memories will heal the loss. praise the brother for his work and your standing by his side. GOD will truly bless your service to him in ways you may see and not see. Please don't give up, let his legacy live!!!.
Brother Jeff in Virginia, USA.
Sympathy
We didn't know pastor Stephen personally, but by reading about his work, we had a high respect for him. He was really a man of God.
Now he is waiting for us in heaven.
Our words of sympathy to his family.
Edward and Dorcas Osei (Holland)
(with TWR-Bonaire during 1990-2000)
Rev Stephen special image in Burundi
Rev Stephen goes home according to the sovereign God, but it was far from being the right time. He loved me and I loved him. He was for me more than a mere sponsor in the midst of a multitude of challenges that harrassed my ministry in Burundi in these last years. He had never ceased showing me Jesus as the target of my look, so now he has gone and I am grieving the loss so much, for he was a real father. Fortunately I remain in Jesus that Rev Stephen taught me to love and trust in a special way because he is the "Victory".
My prayer is that Jesus remains the answer for all the challenges to which the family of Rev Stephen will face, as far as they still live. I know for sure that this family, in their lives under this sun, will absolutely harvest many of the good fruit Rev has sown.
Noé NIZIGAMA,
National Director/TWR-Burundi
Farewell Stephen
It was with arresting shock that I learned of Stephen's home going. What a man of God he was! I was privileged to know Stephen closely as we lived and worked in Nairobi, Kenya together. He was always positive and enthusiastic. He was always full of energy.
He usually told me, "The vision is not yet accomplished. It is just beginning." He said this to encourage us to continue working towards the purpose for which God had called us, in spite of past victories and current challenges.
I feel for Grace and the children. They have lost a great husband and Dad.
At the same time I rejoice that Stephen lived his life fully for the LORD Jesus Christ.
The vision is not yet accomplished! Those of us who are still alive should continue working towards giving every person a chance to know and follow Jesus Christ.
Stephen, FARE THEE WELL!
Dela Adadevoh,
International Vice President
Campus Crusade for Christ International
Stephen's promotion to Glory
I thank the Lord for my dear friend, Stephen – every time I spoke with him, he brightened my day, he was like a ray of warm sunshine in my life. The times that we shared together in many African countries over the last few years were so fantastically blessed by God that I pay fulsome tribute to the Lord's amazing grace in Stephen’s life and testimony.
Everywhere Stephen went he brought something of Jesus with him – and when he left, he left a very real sense of the peace of God and the joy of the Lord. I, a small Irishman, felt so tiny and insignificant walking alongside a spiritual giant from Ghana, a man with a huge heart that loved ordinary people.
When I think of Stephen, I see the tears running down his ebony cheeks as he told me that 'Africa needs Jesus'. I see a dear brother for whom Jesus was everything. Now his dream is a fabulous reality! One day, hopefully soon, we'll meet again!
good life lived
i did not really meet Rev. but from what i have heard about him from the members of trans world radio, it is kudos to his good lived life.
this has made me to think about what people think of me, what example do i lead?, how do i treat people working under me, what a legacy will i leave behind?
From what i have come to understand, he was 'a man after God's heart' and lived a simple life and always social and down to earth, just as jesus lived.
the challenge is back to the members of twr who should try to emulate his life as an example and to finish up the projects that he had left unfinished to fulfil his dream and evangelism in Africa.
To the sponsors of twr mininstry, they should never give up and trust that the course of God must continue
SALUDOS
Conocí a Stephen hace varios años en las oficinas de TWR en Cary. ¡Un hombre feliz y sidempre sonriente!
Su contribución consistente y continua le han dado a TWR Africa un Ministerio que seguirá por muchos años a pesar que el no esté.
Mis respetuosos saludos para su esposa y familia.
El Señor, les consuele y fortalezca.
Lemuel J. Larrosa
Director Ministerio Hispano
Radio Trans Mundial.
[I met Stephen several years ago in the offices of TWR in Cary. He was a happy man and always smiling! In spite of the fact that he is not there, his faithful contribution to the ministry of TWR-Africa will continue for many years. My respectful greetings to his wife and family. May the Lord comfort and strengthen you.
Lemuel J. Larrosa
Director of Hispanic Ministries
Radio Trans Mundial]
Glad we met this wonderful Pastor and Mentor
We had the priviledge of meeting Revd Stephen during our service with Trans World Radio, Asia in Singapore. We saw in him a real pastor with a shepherd's heart. We thank the Lord for what He accomplished in Africa and the world through Revd Stephen and we are confident that he is enjoying being in the presence of our Lord and King. We pray God's peace for Sister Grace and the children knowing fully well that it is well with you all in Jesus' name.
A brother in Christ
I last met with Stephen in Orlando, Florida, during the 2007 NRB conference. My fondest memory of being with Stephen is sitting with him and listening to him tell how God was moving in the affairs of men to enable the Gospel to go out via radio and the fruit that was being seen.
In my mind Stephen became the embodiment of what a good storyteller should be able to convey when telling others about the power of radio and the ministry of TWR.
I will miss you brother and like a previous writer said: "I will see you in heaven someday!"
Deepest sympathy to the family
Since the first meeting back in 1975 during his internship in Wetzlar, Stephen as a friend has been a part of our family history.
We think of him often and will always remember his spiritual depth and contagious laugh.
Our prayers are with the family.
Werner & Marie-Luise Dross, Greifenstein (Germany)
Martin & Eva Dross, Dillenburg (Germany)