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Our Heritage

RCCG History

A vision born in faith, carried to the nations.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God began with a small group of believers and an unshakeable conviction. Today it stands among the fastest-growing Pentecostal churches in the world. As a parish of this global family, we are proud to share the story of how it began.

The Founder: Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi

Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi, founder and first General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, was born in 1909 in Ondo State, Nigeria. He grew up in a community where the worship of Ogun, the Yoruba divinity of iron and war, was widespread. Even as a child, he sensed there was a greater power and longed to know the true God who created the earth and everyone in it.

His search for spiritual fulfilment led him to join the Cherubim and Seraphim church in 1931. He married in 1941 and moved to Lagos later that year. In 1947, a growing desire for a deeper experience of God inspired him to begin a prayer fellowship at 9 Willoughby Street, Ebute-Metta. It started with nine members and soon drew people from across the neighbourhood.

The Birth of a Movement

By 1952, Akindayomi had left the Cherubim and Seraphim church, and the fellowship he began grew into The Redeemed Christian Church of God. According to church tradition, the name was revealed to him in a vision. Though he could neither read nor write, he was able to put down the letters that formed the name.

In that same vision, God promised to take the church to the ends of the earth and affirmed that the Lord Jesus Christ would meet the church on His return in glory. A covenant, in the spirit of the Abrahamic covenant, was established: that God would meet every need of the church if its members served Him faithfully and obeyed His Word.

The church continued at Willoughby Street until it acquired land and relocated to its headquarters in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, and later to the Redemption Camp.

Historic photograph of the founding fathers of The Redeemed Christian Church of God
The founding fathers of The Redeemed Christian Church of God.

A New Season: Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, was born on 2 March 1942 in Ifewara, in present-day Osun State. Against the odds, he graduated from university in 1967 at the age of 25, and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Hydrodynamics and a Doctorate in Applied Mathematics. He then lectured at the Universities of Lagos and Ilorin before answering the call to full-time ministry.

He joined the church in 1973 and gave his life to Jesus Christ on 29 July 1973. Reflecting on that moment, he has described realising that a person can hold every academic honour in the world and still be on the losing side. He became Akindayomi’s interpreter and was ordained a pastor in 1975.

Akindayomi passed away in 1980, aged 71, having named Enoch Adejare Adeboye as his successor in obedience to God’s instruction. Pastor Adeboye’s appointment was formalised in 1981, and he has served as General Overseer ever since. He is married to Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, whose support in the missions, women’s and children’s ministries complements his work.

Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God
Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer.

Milestones

  1. 1909

    Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi is born in Ondo State, Nigeria

  2. 1931

    Joins the Cherubim and Seraphim church

  3. 1947

    Begins a prayer fellowship at 9 Willoughby Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos

  4. 1952

    The Redeemed Christian Church of God is formed

  5. 1973

    Enoch Adejare Adeboye joins the church

  6. 1975

    Adeboye is ordained a pastor

  7. 1980

    Akindayomi passes away; Adeboye is named his successor

  8. 1981

    Pastor Adeboye’s appointment as General Overseer is formalised

RCCG Today

The vision that God placed in the heart of an unlettered man grew in the hands of a scholar. From 1981, the church saw an explosion of growth, and today The Redeemed Christian Church of God has thousands of parishes in Nigeria and a presence in over a hundred nations. Its guiding vision is to establish a parish within five minutes’ reach of every home on earth.

One of its best-known gatherings is the Holy Ghost Service, an all-night service of worship and miracles held on the first Friday of every month at the Redemption Camp on the Lagos–Ibadan expressway. It is also held regularly in other nations, including the United Kingdom, North America and Dubai.

Grace Assembly is proud to be part of this global family, carrying the same vision to our community in Dinnington and Sheffield.

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