Toun Soetan: Gospel Musician and Darling Jesus Composer Passes Away
- Beloved gospel singer, Toun Soetan, has passed away, leaving behind a rich musical legacy
- The Darling Jesus composer's passing was announced in a family statement on March 13, 2026
- Tributes have been pouring in from fans and colleagues mourning her influential life and career
The gospel music fraternity has once again been hit with sad news following the passing of Nigerian artist Toun Soetan.
The evangelist, singer, and composer, who is the creative mind behind one of Christendom's most enduring worship choruses, Darling Jesus, reportedly passed away.
Source: Facebook
The news was announced by the family on social media on Friday, March 13, the same day she was reported to have passed away.
"This is to announce the home calling of our loving mother, Evangelist Rachel Olatoun Soetan. This call to glory occurred this morning, Friday, 13 March 2026. Let us all commiserate with Daddy Soetan and the entire family,” the family statement read.
See the Facebook post below:
Who is gospel icon Toun Soetan?
The passing of the 73-year-old gospel trailblazer triggered an outpouring of tributes from the Christian community across her native Nigeria and beyond.
Soetan's musical footprint stretched across more than four decades, with her worship songs, among them Ke Pe Jesu and Cast Your Burdens, becoming fixtures of Nigerian church culture, particularly during the revival-charged atmosphere of the early 1990s.
Her compositions were consistently described as scripture-rooted and spiritually charged, designed not for entertainment but for encounter.
Beyond the recording studio and concert stage, Soetan anchored her life's work in pastoral service, serving as Minister in Charge of Trinity World Evangelical Ministry, where she devoted herself to preaching, theological instruction, and raising the next generation of gospel ministers.
Born in Lagos, she spent formative years abroad before returning to Nigeria for her schooling, eventually attending the University of Ibadan before surrendering her professional path entirely to evangelism.
Watch a Facebook video of Toun Soetan singing Darling Jesus below:
Reactions to Toun Soetan's passing
Colleagues, protégés, and fans remembered her not only as a gifted musician but as a rigorous teacher and tireless evangelist whose influence extended far beyond her songbook.
YEN.com.gh compiled a few reactions below.
Adesola Fatanmi Adeyolanu said:
"Eeeehheheeeee! This is getting harder. It is well with us in Jesus name. May the Lord rest the departed soul and console the family she left behind."
Stella Etu said:
"Hooooo what a lost, i saw her on one occassion that she was invited & she minister in the event o, may her soul rest in perfect peace."
Ajibola Akintola said:
"Haa sister Toun Soetan, may God grant you eternal rest and comfort your family akorin bi eni jeko. I remembered Bodija days... with her angelic voice."
Source: Facebook
Late Yaw Sarpong's one-week held
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the one-week observance of Yaw Sarpong had drawn major online attention, with its modern and carefully curated setup earning praise.
Videos circulated online showcased generational symbolism in the décor and image selection, a thoughtful presentation that sparked admiration across social media.
The late Ghanaian singer Yaw Sarpong passed away on January 20, 2026, a little over one month after Maame Tiwaa, the lead singer of his Asomafo Band, had passed on.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
