R

ev. Thomas Ekugbene Takpatore the first of seven children was born on January 31, 1965 at Sapele to the family of late Mr. Godwin and late Mrs Victoria Takpatore of Okuetolor in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State. He completed his primary school leaving certificate at Omarine Primary School and his secondary education at Okotie-Eboh Grammar School both in Sapele in 1977 and 1982 respectively. He proceeded to and obtained a Bachelor of Theology from The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Ogbomoso (1991) and a Master of Arts, Theology and Religion, from Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, UK (2012). For his B.Th., his thesis was on ‘A Proposal for the Development of the Music Ministries of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Churches with Special Reference to the Concept of the Minister of Music,’ while his Master’s thesis was on ‘“IYEREN ESIRI”-THE GOOD NEWS: CHRISTOLOGICAL CONCEPTS IN URHOBO BAPTIST SONGS.’

Tom accepted Christ as his Lord and Saviour in December 1981 and yielded to the call into the full time gospel ministry in 1986. He got married to his heartthrob Miss Adenike Bamidele Bammore on September 18, 1993. Their marriage is blessed with two lovely children, Praise Iveveosolobrugwe and Pearl Egheneovbeosolobrugwe.

His interest in music can be traced back to when he joined the choir of Bethel Baptist Church, Sapele in 1978. While at the Seminary, he had thought the interest in music will end for him just as a hobby but all that changed through series of experiences and confirmations it became clear that God has called him basically to the music ministry. Through the years, God has blessed him with great music mentors like Rev. and Mrs Joel Ragain who gave him a rare opportunity by inviting him for a three months music internship at Graceland Baptist Church in New Albany, Indiana, USA. Others include Mr. Benjamin Ajuyah, Prof and Mrs Paul Miller, Prof Nathan Corbitt, Prof C. Michael Hawn and Dr. Paul Davidson, Rev. Dr Sola Aworinde and Rev. Dr Israel Adelani Akanji.

Rev. Takpatore began his Christian leadership with the Student Christian Movement (SCM) and choirs while still at Okotie – Eboh Grammar School, Sapele and the children’s choir of Bethel Baptist Church, Sapele. At Bethel Baptist Church, he served as RA president and Sunday School teacher. He also served as Associational Royal Ambassadors president of the then Sapele Baptist Association. While in the Seminary, he was heavily involved in the music ministry of the Seminary and Antioch Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, between 1987 and 1991. At various times, he served as Sunday School Pianist, Assistant Church Pianist, Children’s Choir Director, Youth Choir Director, Assistant Church Music Director, and Church Music Director of Antioch Baptist Church.

His ministerial experience began with the pastorate of Mereje Baptist Church, Mereje, Delta State (June – August, 1988). Upon graduation from NBTS, he served at New Estate Baptist Church Surulere, Lagos, (June 1991- October, 1997) where he got ordained into the full time Gospel ministry on 8th October 1994., the Agape Community Baptist Church, Surulere, Lagos (November 1997- August 2004). He has served in various capacities, including Music Minister, Director of Pastoral Ministries, Teens Pastor, Worship Centre Pastor, Minister of Visitation and Follow- up and Minister of Senior Citizens.
His denominational involvement includes serving as the Royal Ambassadors, Director for the Sapele Baptist Association in 1987. At the Convention level, he served on the music planning committee for several years and led music at various annual sessions of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. He is a current member of the Music Advisory Board of the Convention and the Adviser of the Abuja Central Baptist Association.

He joined First Baptist Church Garki, Abuja in September 2004 where he currently serves as the Music Minister. Since he joined FBC Garki, Abuja, he has served in various capacities within and outside the Church. These include Minister of Teenagers (FBCG 2004- 2011); Music Coordinator, Reinhard Bonnke’s Crusade (Abuja 2006); leader, Christian Association of Nigeria’s mass choir (2006 -2020); Vice Chairman, Christian Council of Nigeria FCT (2006-2014), Secretary, Christian Council of Nigeria FCT (2014 – 2019) and acting Senior Pastor for the period the Senior Pastor was on study leave between 2005 and 2011.