A Life of Faith, Scholarship, and Service.

Dr. Matthew Oladele Ojo was a man of profound faith, boundless intellect, and deep compassion. Born on April 19, 1951, to Mr. Samuel Ojo and Mrs. Bessie Oyinlola Ojo, he hailed from the Abejide Ejelu’s Family at the Yardi Compound in Eruku, Kwara State, Nigeria. He came from a strong lineage of faith; his maternal grandmother, Mama Rebecca Fajobi, was instrumental in bringing Christianity to Eruku in 1910, and his paternal grandfather, Baba Eli Olukosi, served as a respected Elder and Deacon in the ECWA Church. Matthew's life was defined by this rich spiritual heritage, leading to a radical commitment to the Christian ministry, higher education, and the uplifting of international youth.

Early Life and Entrepreneurial Spirit

Matthew began his primary education at the Cooperative Community School in Eruku, graduating in 1965. Although he possessed great intelligence, financial constraints prevented him from attending secondary school. During this period, he stayed with a missionary in Egbe, where he served as a cleaner. Recognizing Matthew's potential and drive, the missionary advised him to learn the trade of photography.

Acting on this guidance, Matthew moved to Ilorin, where he spent three years as an apprentice learning photography from his uncle, Bodunde Agbenici. After completing his training, he launched his own highly successful business, "Hossanah Photos," locating his studio on Opomolu Street in the central business district of Ilorin. Operating in the late 1960s through the early 1970s, Matthew became very popular for his excellent work, gaining widespread recognition after photographing General Yakubu Gowon and the Kwara State Athletic Team.

His entrepreneurial drive continued in the United States, where he owned and operated several businesses. In both his businesses and his classrooms, Matthew viewed every interaction as an opportunity for ministry, frequently witnessing and sharing his faith with his students and clients.

A Divine Calling to Ministry

Matthew's keen interest in the Gospel drew him to a youth Bible study established by Rev. Laird, a UMCA missionary in Ilorin. Recognizing Matthew’s honesty, Rev. Laird appointed him store manager of a newly established youth sports area. Matthew also regularly visited the youth center to take photographs, where another missionary, Bob Wilber, invited him to join a Bible study that Matthew would eventually lead.

Soon after, Rev. Moses Ariye recognized Matthew’s incredible speaking talent and deep desire to learn. With the encouragement of these mentors, Matthew studied privately and passed his GCE exams in a single sitting, qualifying him to enroll in the United Missionary Theological College (UMTC) in Ilorin, where he obtained his diploma in theology.

Pastoral Career and A Ministry of Lifting Others

After his studies, his potential as a powerful instrument of the Lord was realized when he was posted to Lagos, where he established the ECWA Church Somolu branch between 1977 and 1978. In 1978, Matthew married and immigrated to the United States to further his theological education and ministry.

Upon relocating to the U.S., Matthew ministered powerfully from the pulpit with amazing oratorical wonder. He established The Ministry of Reconciliation and was instrumental in co-founding the African Students Fellowship, which later became the African Christian Fellowship (ACF), active in the U.S. today. A lover of people who wanted progress for everybody, Dr. Ojo used his resources to assist several gospel ministers and non-ministers in coming to the United States, viewing it as his joyful duty to help others succeed in life.

A Lifelong Pursuit of Knowledge

Dr. Ojo was a true polyglot and lifelong learner. He studied and spoke multiple languages, including dialects of Yoruba, Hausa, English, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. His rigorous educational background included a Bachelor of Theology from Mississippi Baptist Theological Seminary (1979), a Master of Missiology from Reformed Theological Seminary (1980), an M.A. in Social Sciences from Eastern Michigan University (1984), and an M.Div. equivalent from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1989). Continuing his tireless pursuit of higher learning, he became a Ph.D. candidate in Philosophical History at the University of Kentucky in 1993. Drawing on his deep pastoral and academic insights, he also authored the book, The Simplicity of Christianity in a Complex Age (1986).

Academic Excellence and Student Advocacy

As an educator, Dr. Ojo taught college-level courses in history, cultural anthropology, sociology, and religion. His illustrious teaching career spanned multiple institutions, including serving as a Full-time Professor of World History at the University of Central Florida. His extensive professorships also included Oglethorpe University, Bethune-Cookman College, the Atlanta University Center (including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College), Georgia Perimeter College, and Broward Community College, where he was nominated for Professor of the Year for three consecutive years (1995-1997).

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Ojo served as a Director of Programs and Academic Counselor, fiercely advocating for struggling and international students. He navigated complex immigration and visa requirements and designed support systems to ensure foreign students could succeed. His passion for caregiving also extended to hospital chaplaincy at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Family and Lasting Legacy

Beyond his vast professional achievements, Matthew was a deeply loving father and patriarch, as well as a fiercely loyal friend. A passionate lover of music, Dr. Ojo has been credited by many friends and family members with composing countless original gospel hymns and songs throughout his life, using his artistic gifts to further share his faith. He proudly embraced his roots, and many of these beautiful songs were composed and sung in his native Yoruba Eruku dialect.

His greatest pride, however, was his family. He leaves behind his beloved children—Rachel, Rebecca, Jeremiah, Josiah, Joshua, Eli, David, and Daniel—and a blossoming family tree of several cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dr. Ojo's legacy of faith, education, entrepreneurship, beautiful music, and cross-cultural bridge-building continues to inspire all who knew him.