The gospel movie industry is in mourning following the passing of one of its beloved actor, Evangelist Korede Moses Are, popularly known by his stage name “Baba Gbenro” from the Mount Zion series Abattoir.
His death was confirmed by fellow gospel actor and producer Oluwaseun Adejumobi, who shared the news on Instagram, expressing, “Heaven’s Gain Again. A General Has Gone to Rest.”
News of his death was further confined by Damilola Mike-Bamiloye in a long emotional post via his instagram page.
Evangelist Dr. Korede Moses Are, known to many as Baba Gbenro, was born on June 11, 1959. He grew up in a small village in Kano State, Nigeria, where he received part of his early education.
He continued his studies in Plateau State and later moved to Southwestern Nigeria to complete his Higher School Certificate (HSC) and university education.
Following his studies, he participated in the NYSC program in Jigawa State, where he gained insights into Nigeria’s diverse cultures.
In 1995, he founded Calvary Movies Drama Ministry International in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, with a mission to spread the gospel through drama evangelism.
The ministry’s work extended to online platforms, where he served as CEO of Calvary Movies Television, a streaming service dedicated to Christian drama and evangelism.
Over the years, Evangelist Are collaborated with prominent figures in Christian cinema, such as Toluwalope Israel Adegbo and Evangelist Damilola Mike-Bamiloye.
One of his notable performances was in the popular Mount Zion series Abattoir, where his character, Baba Gbenro, resonated deeply with audiences.
Fluent in English, Yoruba, and Hausa, he was a versatile communicator who could connect with viewers across different regions of Nigeria.
Evangelist Are is survived by his wife, Mrs. Bamike Rebecca Are, with whom he shared his ministry work. His passing, at the age of 65 on November 14, 2024, followed a prolonged battle with liver disease.