Enoch A Adeboye
"Growing up as a supposed Anglican Church
goer, Enoch Adeboye had no clear awareness about God as the creator of heaven
and the earth. He did not have or know that he needed to have a relationship
with God until 1973 when he walked into a most average church building, jointly
with his wife, seeking supernatural intervention from personal challenges."
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Enoch
Adejare Adeboye is a Nigerian pastor and the General Overseer of Redeemed
Christian Church of God (RCCG).
Born on 2nd March 1942 into a very poor family in the village of Ifewara, Osun State Nigeria, Enoch Adeboye humorously informs his followers that he never owned shoes until he was eighteen years of age. But he had intangibles gifts including focus, consistency, diligence, ambition, a brilliant mind and a determination to succeed in life. He was admitted into Ilesha Grammar School, Ilesha, Osun Nigeria in 1956, where he discovered his obsession for books, and an aptitude for science and in particular the field of Mathematics. This prompted his academic journey in the field of Mathematics against incredible odds including but not limited to finances, the Nigerian Civil War and academic politics. By the time he finished, Enoch Adeboye had obtained a Bachelors (BSc.) degree in Mathematics from the University of Nigeria, Nnsukka, Nigeria in 1967, a Masters (MSc.) Degree in Hydrodynamics and a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Applied Mathematics, both from the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria in 1969 and 1975 respectively. One o his driving force for these academic achievements was his desire to become the youngest Vice Chancellor (University President) of any one of the frontline Universities in Nigeria. It did seem that his academic ambition would be realized as his academic career flourished until he experienced severe personal challenges and had to run to God.
In 1973, Adeboye joined RCCG. Even though both the environment and the Pastor (the founder himself- Revd. J. O. Akindayomi, a man who though was illiterate had been supernaturally endowed with the ability to read the Yoruba; a native Nigerian dialect) seemed unlikely to have anything to offer to a man of his status, Enoch Adeboye was unusually inspired and touched by the Word and also by the presence of God. On that very day, Enoch Adeboye committed his life totally to the Lord Jesus Christ , became baptized by immersion in water and has since not looked back.
Unknown to him though, the Lord had already clued-up the founder that “a man of books” (a highly learned man) would soon join RCCG and ultimately take over the responsibility of leadership from him (the founder) at any time he passed away. As such, the founder began to personally mentor and groom him for the future job he was totally oblivious of. He initially served as the sermon interpreter to the founder (from the native Yoruba dialect to the English language) and later was ordained a Pastor. Enoch Adeboye manifested an unbelievable passion for the work of the Lord, pioneering Bible Study meetings, Crusades, Revivals, Outreaches and the evangelistic programs known as the Congress. These programs were very effectively held in various cities all over southwestern Nigeria. By the time the founder passed away, RCCG had about 42 Parishes and this in those days was a great feat.
After the founder passed away in 1980, Enoch A Adeboye was appointed General Overseer of the church in 1981 amidst some resistance. For three consecutive years, he filled the role part-time, lecturing at the University of Ilorin, before he gave up his university position to preach full-time. With time, Enoch Adeboye’s results could not be denied. With a childlike faith in the efficacy and power in the Word of God, his passion was to live a life of holiness and teach others to likewise live holy lives.
In December 1998,
Pastor Adeboye hosted the very first Holy Ghost Festival (open air meeting) in
Nigeria with an attendance of over seven (7) million people. Later, this
program has been replaced with the annual 3-day Holy Ghost Congress held every
December at the Redemption Camp. In addition to this is a Special 3-day Holy
Ghost Program held in the first weekend of March yearly and a monthly Holy
Ghost Night Vigil Service which holds every first Friday of the month.
With a very disarming humility, Enoch Adeboye’s endears himself to people, he easily shares his testimony of the Gospel of Christ. His hunger for soul-winning inspires his passion for church-planting and through this, countless thousands have been inspired to follow him and serve the Lord in the ministry. From that unimpressive building he walked into in 1973, God has the ministry of through Enoch Adeboye built a Mission of over five thousand Churches all over the world including Nigeria, almost all the nations of Africa, the US, the UK, Canada, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Australia, India, China, Hong Kong, the Far East and even the Middle East. In the United States alone there are over five hundred Parishes and still increasing.
For several years, he has been honoured to serve as Pastor and / or spiritual counsellor to Heads of States, Ministers, political leaders and national decision-makers. At the same time, he endeavours to travel to minister in unreached places where others will not go.
To date,
all over the world Enoch Adeboye has been conferred with several honorary
degrees and national merit awards in appreciation of his contributions to
humanity. In the 2009 Newsweek Elite Edition (January 5, 2009), he was listed
as one of the Fifty Most
Influential People In The World
(No. 49 to be exact).
He is the national president of RCF (an interdenominational fellowship in all the campuses in Nigeria) which is under the umbrella of Christ the Redeemer's Ministry (CRM) where he serves as founder and president. In 1967, Pastor E A Adeboye also got married to his beloved wife Pastor (Dr) Mrs Foluke Adenike Adeboye (nee Adeyokunnu) and they are blessed with children.
We gracefully present to you this anointed Man of God, Pastor E. A Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Worldwide, as one of God’s General of Nigeria.
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