Evangelist Moses Korede Are, Founder of Calvary Drama Ministries and revered figure in Nigeria’s Gospel drama industry, is dead.
He was popularly known as Baba Gbenro of the “Abattoir” drama series by the Mount Zion Films.
He reportedly died after a prolonged struggle with liver disease at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
He was 59.
In his final moments, he was surrounded by close friends and family, who recall his last words: “Stay by my side, I want to rest.”
According to Pastor Niyi Adebayo, lead pastor of True Worshippers Church, who was present at Are’s bedside, the Evangelist made the simple, humble request to stop the prayers and stay by his side.
Just minutes later, at 8:10 a.m., he took his final breath and “went home to be with God.”
The piece of sad news was first broken by a Co-Gospel actor and producer, Oluwaseun Adejumobi, on his verified Instagram page on Thursday.
He wrote, “Heavens’s Gain Again. General Has Gone to rest”.
Baba Gbenro, as fondly called by his fans, was a main character in the popular Mount Zion series titled “Abbatoir”.
He trained as a veterinary doctor but shortly after graduation from university answered the call into the ministry to as a Drama Gospeller.
He was the founder and International President of Calvary Movies Drama Ministry based in Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
He was also the Chief Executive Officer of Calvary Movies Television.
Nigerians have gone to his last post on Instagram, which was shared 6 days ago, to express shock over the sad news.
Fellow gospel filmmakers, including Evangelist Mike Bamiloye of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, honoured Are’s final moments and spoke about his enduring passion
Bamiloye recalled how, even during his last days, Are expressed his passion for his work and encouraged his colleagues to continue with gospel projects.
“He didn’t know he had shot his last movie and had gone on his last movie location,” Bamiloye reflected, sharing an emotional message about the unpredictability of life’s “closing time.”
Are, celebrated for his impactful Godly dramas such as Owo Blow, Igbeyawo Aiye, and Emi Mi M’oke, inspired countless viewers across Nigeria.
Evangelist Oluwaseun Adejumobi, another gospel actor and producer, broke the news on social media, honouring Are with the words, “A General Has Gone to Rest.”
