Rev. Professor Joshua Adejare Olayiwola Oyekan was born on August 21, 1936, in Oyo Town, Nigeria, to Pastor James Ajadi and Mrs. Juliana Oyekan. He was the fifth of nine children and spent his early years working on the family farm. At a young age, he moved from Ibadan to Lagos to live with his uncle, Elder Kade Alabi, whose influence played a pivotal role in shaping his strong values of hard work and a deep passion for education. While living with Elder Alabi, he completed both elementary and high school and graduated from the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary. If not for Elder Kade, Joshua would have likely remained on the family farm, and studying in the United States would have remained merely a dream for him. After graduating from the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary in Ogbomosho in December 1963, Pastor Joshua Olayiwola Oyekan was invited to serve as the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, New Akeetan, Oyo, starting in January 1964. At that time, young Pastor Oyekan was also working as a Building Draftsman (architect) and was a full-time student at Olivet Baptist High School in Oyo. During his first Sunday at Immanuel Baptist Church, he recorded only 51 members, and there was no choir. To help manage the church, Pastor Joshua hired his younger brother as the janitor, as there were no other staff members and limited funds to pay for a full-time worker. To supplement his income, he often traveled on his Honda motorcycle to various churches, ministering in the villages. It was during one of these preaching missions in 1966 that he met his beloved wife of 58 years, Beatrice Omobola Oyekan. In 1972, Joshua was admitted to William Carey College in the United States, and in 1973, his young family joined him in Mississippi. His academic journey was remarkable. Rev. Dr. Oyekan earned multiple advanced degrees, including three doctorates, and dedicated himself to both ministry and teaching. In 1980, he returned to Nigeria to serve as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Jos, where he led with vision and compassion for 15 years. Under his leadership, the church established several independent churches and a Baptist Secondary School (middle and high school), with one of its wings named in his honor. Upon returning to the United States in 1993, he embarked on his academic career in earnest, teaching at institutions including Louisiana State University and Voorhees University. He later served on the faculty of Morris College from 2008 until 2024, enriching students through his courses in Applied Psychology, Psychological Measurement, and the African American Experience. Rev. Dr. Oyekan’s educational attainments include: Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology – University of Jos, Nigeria; Doctor of Ministry in Psychology of Religion – Luther Rice Seminary; Doctor of Education & Education Specialist – University of Tennessee; Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology – Spalding University; Master of Divinity – Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Bachelor of Theology – Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary; Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion – William Carey University. Though deeply devoted to education and ministry, his greatest love was his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Beatrice Omobola Oyekan, and his children: James Oyekan, Arinade and Emmanuel Adeyemo; Julius and Emem Oyekan; and Elizabeth Yemi and Ademola Aderoju. He is also fondly remembered by his grandchildren: Wale and Nike Adeyemo; Damisi, Tobi, and Oreofe Aderoju; and Hashem, Jeremy, and Joshua Oyekan, along with five siblings and a host of cherished relatives and friends. Viewing and Visitation will be from 10:00 a. m. - 11:00 a. m., Saturday, July 19, 2025 in the O. E. Ruben Chapel on the Campus of Morris College, 100 West College Street, Sumter, followed by Celebration of Life service at 11:00 a. m. with Dn. Maba Alabi, Officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Memorial Park, 802 North Guignard Drive, Sumter.
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