TWR is deeply saddened to announce that the Rev. Stephen Boakye-Yiadom, TWR International Director for Africa, unexpectedly died on Saturday, June 2, 2007. Please uphold the Boakye-Yiadom family and the staff of TWR, especially those in Africa, in prayer during this difficult time.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Grace; son, Akwasi; and daughters, Herta, Hanna and Akosua, all of Ghana, Africa. Stephen was resting at home on Saturday when, at approximately 4 p.m., he was called home to be with the Lord. He was 63.

Stephen served TWR faithfully since September 1975 when he joined TWR’s German partner, ERF, as an intern. In 1976, he went to Nairobi, Kenya, as an ERF missionary to establish a new office and production center in the country. Within a few years, he was appointed as TWR’s General Secretary for Africa, and in 1992 was elected to direct TWR’s Africa region from Johannesburg, South Africa.

“Stephen was more than a pastor and leader,” said Ray Alary, human resources director for TWR-Africa. “He was our friend, who showed his care and love to each of us who worked with him. Stephen always told us that we were not simply a group of people working together who used radio as a tool to share the gospel. He would tell us that we were a family, and he showed this every day in the way he acted and lived out his life.”

A memorial service was held at the Kempton Park Methodist Church on Thursday, June 7, at 2 p.m. Trans World Radio considered this day to be an international day of prayer for the Africa region, TWR-Africa staff and the Boakye-Yiadom family.

The memorial service was broadcast live on TWR-Africa's Web site via Windows Media streaming video from 2 p.m. [8 a.m. EDT]. Friends, listeners and family were welcome to join the Web cast at approximately 1:50 p.m. [7:50 a.m. EDT] on Thursday by accessing the link on the home page of that site.

Those wishing to give a gift in lieu of flowers may do so to the Stephen Boakye-Yiadom Memorial Fund, which will benefit the ministries of TWR-Africa and ERF. Gifts can be given through your closest Trans World Radio or ERF office. Please contact them for bank account details.

Update:Read a tribute to Stephen that was read by his son, Akwasi, during the memorial service by clicking here.

Thank you to those who have left comments or notes of sympathy. You may send one by mail to TWR-Africa: Trans World Radio, Box 4232, Kempton Park, 1620, South Africa.