For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield. - Psalm 5:12 (NKJV) The sixth and the only girl born to Mr. and Mrs. Martins Onaiyekan in Kabba village of Kogi State, Nigeria, Reni never grew up to know her father. "I was told that he went to be with the Lord when I was six months old." She did not have the opportunity to enjoy her mother for long either for her mother died when she was seven years old but "I'm thankful to God to have known her for this short period, I still have a good memory of her" she said. Reni became an Orphan little girl at age seven and left only to God and her aunt, who was only a petty trader, Reni learned to depend on God early in life. Her aunt enrolled her shortly after her mum passed away in the choir of St. Andrew's Anglican Church Kabba. "The favor of God plus the love of my choirmaster saw me through and in fact made people see the gift of singing that the Lord has put in me." This she said brought her a big encouragement because of being asked to sing solo in church, even as a little girl. In her high school years, Reni continued singing solo at the school auditorium every other week and sometimes duet with a childhood friend of hers. "Despite the various needs that I had as a child, love was something I never lacked both in and out of home." Eventually, she went to college at the University of Ilorin in Nigeria, where she got her Bachelor's degree in English. "In my college years, the Lord kept me singing even though I had not totally surrendered to Him"... she was a member of the college chapel choir (Chapel of Light). "In my senior year of college, I finally surrendered my all to the Lord Jesus and rededicated my life to Him." After graduation, she served in the National Youth Service Corps (a one-year mandatory service to the nation by every Nigerian college graduate), in Lagos, Nigeria. Naturally, she became a member of the NCCF (Nigerian Christian Corpers' Fellowship). "I was always singing solo and I remember myself being nicknamed "Sister special song" she said, laughing. In November 1992, Reni got Married to Bernard Adebayo-Ige, P.E.; they have been blessed with three boys- Oluwagbogo-the Lord takes Glory , Faithfulness and Promise. The family lives in Philadelphia, PA and are all fully involved in God's work, ministering to the people of God across many church organizations. Reni is currently doing a graduate program in Lincoln University (Master of Science in Reading). "I have a background in Education in my undergrads, I still love teaching and in fact, I'm specializing in secondary school education." Reni has been leading worship in His Banner Christian Fellowship, New Jersey for the past five years. This is a fellowship where believers from different denominations gather once every month in a restaurant to share the word and to also dine together in the spirit of God's love. "It has been a blessing to me and my ministry leading worship in this wonderful gathering and what a growth it's given me too," Reni said delightfully. Reni is not just a singer but a teacher of the word too and she is currently being invited around the country to sing and also to teach the word in churches and conferences. "I knew God has also called me to teach years ago in my church, where I was asked to assist the Sunday school Coordinator. I thought I couldn't do it as I felt I was too young but the Lord empowered me and I actually find fulfillment teaching ever since then." "ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE" (her debut album) is a result of God's faithfulness and the beginning of the fulfillment of His promises to me" said Reni, with a look of gratitude to God. "THIS IS THEREFORE MY STORY AND THIS IS THE SONG I AM SINGING - GOD'S FAVOR." "I BELIVE" is Reni's second Album. "The great testimony about this CD is that it begins with a prophetic message from God through my eight year old son - Faithfulness - this message came on a day he entered the studio, and the CD ends with the expectation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ - Marantha." Said Reni. Reni makes the music comes alive... and the appeal will reach many hearts looking for a touch from a loving God. RENI'S MINISTRY Reni's promise is to reach out to the orphanage children in Africa. She believes in catching them young using their talents for God. "I know what it means to be a young orphan with no encouragement. I give glory to God for bringing people my way to encourage and lead me rightly. I know there are many orphans out there who need such an encouragement." Said Reni. God has given her the prime vision to reach, support and encourage the development of their talents." Reni has a yearly Inter-denominational Christmas party for Children/Teens in Philadelphia area which began in 2002. This type of party will be often and will span through various seasons of the year.