Ruth Elton, a pioneering British-born missionary who renounced her citizenship to become a Nigerian, recently celebrated her 90th birthday on September 7, 2024. Known for her lifelong dedication to missionary work across Nigeria’s Middle Belt, Ruth Elton has left a lasting legacy of faith, service, and sacrifice.
Her extraordinary journey, which began in 1937 when she arrived in Nigeria with her parents, Pa Sidney and Hannah Elton, has inspired generations of Nigerians, and her impact continues to resonate within the country’s Christian community. The celebration, held in Ilesha, Osun State, was a heartfelt tribute to her unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel and uplifting the unreached.
A Journey of Faith and Service
On Saturday, September 7, 2024, Ruth Elton, the iconic British-born missionary who renounced her British citizenship to embrace Nigeria as her home, marked her 90th birthday. This milestone celebrated a life dedicated to missionary work across Nigeria, especially in the country’s Middle Belt, where she spent decades spreading the Christian faith.
Ruth Elton first arrived in Nigeria in 1937 with her missionary parents, Pa Sidney Elton and Hannah Elton. As the only child of the Eltons, she was raised in the heart of Nigeria’s mission fields, a journey that would shape her entire life. In a bold move, she renounced her British citizenship at a time when dual nationality was not permitted, fully committing to her new life in Nigeria as a naturalized citizen.
A Legacy in the Middle Belt
Ruth Elton’s mission work led her to Kogi State, where she labored for many years, building ministries and preaching the gospel. Among the people of Kogi, her acts of kindness and dedication earned her the Yoruba name *Omotere*, meaning “one who does good.” During her time there, she established the Gospel Assembly Intercontinental, one of the enduring ministries that continue to thrive today.
Her commitment came with sacrifices. Elton was severely injured during an armed robbery on one of her missionary trips through the Kogi forests, a tragic event that affected her health in the years that followed. Despite these challenges, she never lost her passion for the gospel or her deep love for Nigeria, which she called home.
A Celebration of Faith and Sacrifice
Ruth Elton’s 90th birthday celebration took place at the Kingdom Gospel Mission in Ilesha, Osun State, and was attended by key figures in Nigeria’s faith community. Among the attendees were Evangelist Mathew Owojaiye, Chairman of the Northern States Elder Forum, Prof Gary Maxey, Founder of the West Africa Theological Seminary, and The Rt. Rev Prof Dapo Asaju, the Anglican Bishop of Ilesha.
The former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Dr. Philip Salawu, who considers himself a spiritual son of Ruth Elton, was also present, alongside Dr. and Prof Mrs. Femi Soetan, her physician, and several members of the Gospel Assembly. The celebration was filled with heartfelt tributes to a woman whose life was marked by selfless service and unshakable faith.
Prof Maxey’s Call for Prophets Like Pa Elton
In his address, Prof Gary Maxey, a missionary himself with over 40 years of experience in Nigeria, praised the legacy of both Pa Sidney Elton and Ruth Elton. Speaking on the theme “Where Are the Prophets?”, Maxey reflected on the absence of prophetic voices like Pa Elton in today’s Nigeria. He lamented that Nigeria, once spiritually strong, has seen a decline in the boldness of those willing to speak out against wickedness.
“We are on the edge of the abyss,” Maxey warned. “When I first arrived in Nigeria 40 years ago, there was a vibrant revival. Today, we are far from that spiritual height.” He urged the church to raise new prophets, bold and willing to speak truth in challenging times, much like Pa Elton had done in his lifetime.
Ruth Elton’s Emphasis on Unity and Love
Pastor Mike Bamidele, another speaker at the event, highlighted the values Ruth Elton continues to promote: unity, faith, and love. He encouraged those present to carry forward the principles that Ruth Elton had lived by, ensuring that her legacy of service was passed on to future generations.
Bamidele recalled the honor he had in carrying the body of Pa Elton during his burial in 1987, and how Ruth Elton’s longevity is a testament to the strength of serving God faithfully, even in difficult conditions. “Serving God in challenging environments does not shorten your life,” he said, referring to Elton’s remarkable resilience.
An Unmatched Legacy of Sacrifice
The 90th birthday celebration of Ruth Elton was more than a gathering of faith leaders; it was a recognition of a life devoted to God’s work, a life that left an unparalleled legacy of sacrifice and service. Elton’s choice to leave behind her British heritage and adopt Nigeria as her home, along with her commitment to spreading the gospel, continues to inspire generations.
As Ruth Elton lives out her days in Ilesha, her body frail but her spirit strong, her life remains a powerful symbol of selflessness and dedication to humanity. The celebration of her 90 years was a reminder of the extraordinary impact one life can have when lived with purpose, faith, and love.
This version uses subheadings to organize the story, giving readers a clear structure and flow while maintaining the core elements of Ruth Elton’s life and work.
About Pa Elton
Just as the story of Ruth Elton will not be complete without the mention of her father Pa Sidney Granville Elton, (often referred to as Pa Elton), so also the story of the spread of the Gospel in Nigeria will not be complete without the mention of the British missionary who played a significant role in shaping the Christian evangelical movement in Nigeria, Pa Sidney Granville Elton.
Pa Sidney Elton often referred to as Pa Elton) arrived in Nigeria in 1937, accompanied by his wife, Hannah Elton, and their daughter, Ruth Elton. Pa Elton is widely known for his prophetic ministry and deep influence on the growth of Pentecostalism in Nigeria. He settled in Ilesha, Osun State, where he served for many years as a mentor and spiritual father to several key Nigerian church leaders, including prominent figures like Benson Idahosa and W.F. Kumuyi.
Pa Elton’s ministry was characterized by his prophetic insights and bold preaching, often warning of God’s judgment and advocating for spiritual revival in Nigeria. His teachings and prophetic declarations have had a lasting impact on the Nigerian Christian landscape, and he is remembered as one of the key figures in establishing Nigeria as a hub of Pentecostal Christianity.
He passed away in 1987 and was buried in Ilesha, but his legacy continues through his daughter Ruth Elton and the many spiritual leaders he mentored. Pa Elton’s life and work have become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s spiritual history, and his influence is still felt in the church today.
