17/03/2026
Late Pastor Istifanus Ishaya, NNUC President:
What Death Cannot Erase
By Alozie, U. Ezinwa
Communication Director, Northern Nigeria Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Born on March 2, 1969 in Kurmin-Dodo, Kaduna State, Nigeria, to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Theresa Ishaya, Pastor Dr. Istifanus Ishaya, President of the Northern Nigeria Union Conference was raised in a Christian home where faith, discipline, and devotion to God shaped his character and life’s calling. On January 23, 1997 he was united in holy matrimony to Mrs. Rahab Kachun I. Ishaya , a devoted partner in ministry. Their marriage was blessed with four children (three boys and a girl), who were a constant source of joy and pride to him. He officially entered denominational service on March 1, 1997, and was later ordained into the gospel ministry on March 17, 2007.
He was first elected as the president of the Northern Nigeria Union Conference on November 11th 2023 at a Constituency aimed to align with the GC and WAD leadership election calendar. On November 21st 2025, Pastor Ishaya had been elected to serve as the president of the church in Northern Nigeria for the next quinqenium.
However, the sad news of his passing came on the evening of Friday, February 6th, 2026 after a brief illness, bringing to an end years of devoted service to God and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Northern Nigeria.
Throughout his ministerial career, he held several pastoral and leadership roles within the church, earning respect for his commitment to evangelism, church growth and pastoral care. Colleagues and church members often described him as a calm and thoughtful leader who prioritized unity, mission, and the spiritual well-being of church members.
Until his passing, the former Pro-Chancellor of Babcock University who was to resume as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman in Council, Clifford University, remained actively involved in the work of the church, continuing to guide mission refocus initiatives and administrative activities within Northern Nigeria Union Conference.
Eleven days after his demise, precisely on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the quiet community of Jengre, Plateau State, Nigeria – a place whose soil carries the early and unforgettable footprints of Adventist missionaries, a historic beacon of Adventist presence in Northern Nigeria, came to a solemn standstill as hundreds of church members, leaders, academics, friends, and well-wishers from across Nigeria assembled to pay their final respects to Pastor Dr. Ishaya during the funeral service held in his honour at the Seventh-day Adventist Church Jengre Mission.
Pastor Bassey Udoh, PhD, President of the West-Central Africa Division of Seventh-day Adventists in his sermonette during the funeral service recalled the vital role played by late Pastor Ishaya in seeing that Adventist church in Nigeria was united in mission and purpose.
Pastor Udoh had also reflected on the transient nature of life while emphasizing the Christian hope of resurrection, a central belief of the Adventist faith.
The leader of the church in West-Central Africa region encouraged the congregation and the entire membership of the church in Northern Nigeria to remain steadfast in faith and mission, noting that the legacy of service left behind by Pastor Ishaya would continue to inspire the church.
“Today, we have buried Pastor Ishaya but there is hope of a joyful resurrection when Jesus shall come”, Pastor Udoh said.
Late Pastor Dr. Istifanus Ishaya, president of the Northern Nigeria Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was interred at the premises of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Jengre Hospital, Doctors’ Quarters, Jengre, Plateau State amid prayers and words of comfort for his family and the church community.
Earlier, the funeral service had been marked by prayers, songs, hymns as well as tributes and condolence messages from church leaders, colleagues, and friends who shared reflections on Pastor Ishaya’s life and ministry.
One of such messages came from the Office of the President, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Pastor Erton Kohler, which reads thus:
“Dear Rahab, Amazingrace, Livingrace, Divinegrace, and Grace, Adriene and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your dear husband and father, Pastor Ishaya. What a heartbreaking loss for you, your family, friends, and everyone who knew him. I am certain he will be greatly missed. Pastor Ishaya’s life of service and his Christ-like example are qualities we will all remember. His years of service to the Church will be a legacy for generations to come.
“During this painful moment, I want you to know that you are not alone. The worldwide family of faith stands with you. Many brothers and sisters are lifting you in prayer for comfort and peace. God has promised to “wipe away every tear…” (Revelation 21:4). Death is not the end; it is only a pause until the resurrection morning.
“Our greatest hope is in the soon return of Jesus. That hope gives strength for today and courage for tomorrow. Each step in the mission, each word of witness, each act of faith, brings that glorious day nearer. Very soon, we will see our Savior face to face. We will be able to embrace our loved ones again. Until then, may the words of Jesus sustain your heart: “I will come again and take you to myself...” (John 14:3).
“May the Comforter come exceptionally close to you at this time, bringing the hope of the soon second coming of Christ, when we will reunite with Pastor Ishaya and all our loved ones who have fallen asleep in Jesus! With heartfelt love, prayers, and the living hope of Christ’s return, Maranatha!” it concluded.
With a heart full of gratitude to God, Pastor Hananiya Ade Bayawa, the executive secretary of the Northern Nigeria Union Conference, expressed thanks to all who contributed to the success of the burial.
“As a church family in Northern Nigeria, we are grateful to the leadership of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists and the West-Central Africa Division for their guidance, prayers and support during the burial of our late president, Pastor Istifanus Ishaya”, Pastor Bayawa remarked.
The NNUC executive secretary also acknowledged the Western Nigeria Union Conference and Eastern Nigeria Union Conference as well as Adventist institutions such as Babcock University, Clifford University among others for the solidarity of love and support shown to the family of late Pastor Ishaya and the church community in Northern Nigeria during this time of bereavement.
He equally appreciated individuals, church members and administrators across the conferences and missions in Northern Nigeria who contributed in one way or the other to ensuring that Pastor Ishaya who died in active service was given a dignified burial.
Livingrace Istifanus, eldest son of Pastor Ishaya, who spoke on behalf of his family thanked the world church, the West-Central Africa Division and the church in Nigeria for the prayers, love, care and support shown to them.
“As we strive to see the blessed hope, I pray God to hold our right hands lest we fall. I pray that His sufficient grace will be upon us”, he said.
“Let me let the family know that their man, father, husband, brother, uncle was a good man. He lived a good life. His legacy remains. When the tears, when the cloud of grief and tears overwhelm them, let them be consoled by the fact that here lies a good man and there is hope of his resurrection. What I should tell myself, Pastor Okochie is will you do well like Pastor Istifanus so we can be united in the feet of Jesus? That is my prayer for everyone”, remarked Pastor Obarido Okochie.
Of a truth, a person’s birth introduces them to the world, but the day of their burial reveals what their life truly meant. For late Pastor Dr. Istifanus Ishaya, the unprecedented gathering of hearts in gratitude and remembrance tells a story that words alone cannot capture, a life poured out in service to God and humanity.
As the sun gently set over the hills of Plateau State on that solemn day in Jengre, the earth received the mortal remains of a servant of God. Yet what was laid to rest was only the body, not the legacy.
For a life devoted to faith, service, and mission cannot be buried beneath the soil. The churches strengthened under his watch still stand. The lives he inspired continue the journey. The mission he loved moves forward with renewed resolve.
And so, while the voice of Pastor Dr. Istifanus Ishaya may now be silent, the echoes of his service will continue to speak across generations.
Until that glorious resurrection morning, his story remains written not only in memory, but in the living testimony of a church and a people he faithfully served.
A life lived for God never truly ends!
