The life
of Enoch Adejare Adeboye Was born in 1942 into a humble family in the village
of Ifewara, Osun State located in the South-western part of Nigeria Enoch
Adeboye often humorously states that his family was so poor that even the poor
people called them poor. As a matter of fact, he unashamedly tells his
congregation that he never owned shoes until he was eighteen years of age. What
he possessed though were physical intangibles such as focus, consistency,
diligence, ambition, a brilliant mind and a determination to succeed in life.
In 1956
Enoch Adeboye was admitted into Ilesha Grammar School, Ilesha, Osun
State, Western Nigeria and as a youth he discovered a passion for books,
and an aptitude for science and in particular the field of Mathematics. This
led to an 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 was done, Enoch Adeboye had obtained not only a
Bachelors (BSc.) degree in Mathematics from the University of Nigeria,
Nnsukka, Nigeria in 1967, but also 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 of the
motivations for these academic achievements was Enoch Adeboye's passionate
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. However, this was
not to be as a greater career awaited him in the service of the Lord. In 1967 Enoch
Adeboye got married to his beloved wife Foluke
Adenike Adeboye (nee Adeyokunnu).
GROWING UP
Growing up
as a nominal Anglican (Episcopalian), Enoch Adeboye had a vague knowledge that
God existed in heaven but did not have or know that he needed to have a
relationship with him until 1973 when together with his wife he walked into a
most unimpressive building seeking divine intervention from personal
challenges. This was the only premises at the time of The Redeemed
Christian Church of God (RCCG). The church RCCG was founded by
Reverend J. O. Akindayomi, a man who though was illiterate had
been supernaturally endowed with the ability to read the Yoruba (a native
Nigerian dialect) version of the Holy Bible (translated from the Authorized
King James Version). Even though both the environment and the Pastor (the
founder himself) 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 and has since not looked back.
In 1973
Enoch Adeboye received the Lord Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour, joined
RCCG and became baptized by immersion in water.
CALL TO MINISTRY
Unknown to
him though, the Lord had already informed the founder J. O. Akindayomi
that "a man of books" (a highly educated man)
would soon join Redeemed Christian Church of God and eventually take over the
mantle of leadership from him (the founder PA J. O. Akindayomi)
whenever he pass on to glory. As Enoch Adeboye joined and became an active
member of the church, the founder began to personally mentor and groom him for
the future assignment he was totally unaware of. He initially served as the
sermon interpreter to the founder (interpreting from the native Yoruba dialect
to the English language) and was later ordained a Pastor in 1977. When he was
ordained a Pastor in RCCG, Enoch Adeboye manifested an incredible passion for
the work of the Lord, pioneering Bible Study meetings, Crusades, Revivals,
Outreaches and the evangelistic programs known as the Congress. These were very
successfully conducted in various cities all over southwestern Nigeria.
By the time the founder died in
1980, RCCG had about 42 Parishes and this in those days was a great
achievement. Although the founder left a sealed document pronouncing Enoch
Adeboye as the succeeding General Overseer, his transition into office was not
smooth but met with some resistance. In 1981 Enoch Adeboye was ordained the
General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. 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.
HIS
LEADERSHIP INNOVATIVE STYLE AND HOLY GHOST SERVICE
Of course the appointment as General
Overseer immediately terminated all academic ambitions and Enoch Adeboye set
his heart on taking RCCG to the next level of ministry. He introduced
innovations into the ministry and in particular sought means whereby the elite
in the society and professionals could experience ministry in a manner to which
they were accustomed without compromising in the worship of God in Spirit and
in truth. This led to the establishment of the "Model Parishes" through which countless millions in the upper
echelons of the society have come to know the Lord. The poor, needy and
downtrodden have not been ignored, as Enoch Adeboye has a deep compassion for
souls.
Soon after the innovations came the
Holy Ghost Services in the mid nineteen-eighties which featured a night of
Praise, Worship, Prayer, Soul-winning, Deliverance, Testimonies and the Word
once a month. Initially held on the premises of the Headquarters in Lagos space
constraints required a change in location. This led to the purchase of a
massive piece of uninhabited forest land located on the outskirts of Lagos, a
haven of highway / armed robbers and kidnappers with a great company of pythons
and wild animals. Enoch Adeboye moved his family to this "wilderness"
he called the Redemption Camp, constructed a large auditorium and began to hold
the Holy Ghost Services there.
To the glory of God, these services
have been consistently held for over twenty years now and today, the crowds in
attendance run in millions every month. From the Redemption Camp, Enoch Adeboye
faithfully travels many miles to work in Lagos and also ministers all over the
world.
On 18th December 1998, Enoch Adeboye hosted the very
first Holy Ghost Festival (open air meeting) in Nigeria with an attendance of
over seven million people (CNN estimate). This most ambitious project in the
form of an open air Worship Service was carried out in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
and in attendance were over seven million people as confirmed by the CNN aerial
satellite. Not one person was lost or died in that throng and this feat was
repeated the following year. In 1999 though, there were no less than twelve
million worshippers present. This program has since 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. At each and every one of these events, miracles, signs
and wonders have become commonplace as the power of God moves freely to set
free, heal, anoint, deliver, bless and empower.
MISSION
WORK
Enoch Adeboye's trade mark of
humility is disarming and this endears him to people, enabling him to easily
share his testimony of the Gospel. His passion for soul-winning feeds his
passion for church-planting and through this, countless thousands have been
inspired to follow him and likewise serve the Lord in the ministry. From that
unimpressive building he walked into in 1973, the Lord has today through Enoch
Adeboye built a Mission of over five thousand Churches all over the world
(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
honored to serve as Pastor and / or spiritual counselor to Heads of States,
Ministers, political leaders and national decision-makers. At the same time, he
endeavors to travel to minister in unreached places where others will not go.
AWARDS
AND HONOUR
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). For example the following
are note-worthy:
1999 - Received honorary citizenship
and key of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
2000 - Dedicated the first chapel in
the Nigerian Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nigeria.
2005 - Received honorary citizenship
and key of Dallas, Texas, USA.
2005 - Received honorary citizenship
and key of Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
2008 - Awarded a National Honor
(Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) by the Nigerian President
2009 - Led the Pre-Summit Prayers at
the 64th General Assembly of the United Nations, Headquarters, New York.
2009 -
Named one of 'The World's Fifty Most Powerful People' by Newsweek
Magazine (USA).
2009 - Awarded honorary doctorate
degree - University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
2009 - Awarded honorary doctorate
degree - University of Nigeria, Nsukka
2010 - Awarded a National Sports
Honor (Spiritual Pillar of Nigerian Sports)
Though the above achievements are
phenomenal, Enoch Adeboye never fails to give glory to the Lord, claiming that
there are greater things ahead that the Lord will yet do.
To date, Enoch Adeboye's profile
includes:
§ Strategic casting of the worldwide vision of The Redeemed
Christian Church of God
§ General Overseer with ultimate responsibility for over
12,000 churches in over 120 nations.
§ Author / Writer of the popular, globally-distributed daily
devotional manual - Open Heavens.
§ Host / Convener / Main Preacher at the annual December
three-day Holy Ghost Congress (open air meeting) in Nigeria with an average
attendance of over six million people
§ Host / Convener / Main Preacher at the annual March
three-day Special Holy Ghost Service (open air meeting) in Nigeria with an
average attendance of over six million people
§ Host / Convener / Preacher at the monthly Holy Ghost Service
(open air meeting) in Nigeria with an average attendance of over one million
people
§ Host / Convener / Preacher at the quarterly Festival of Life
(indoor revival meeting) in London, UK and various cities in the US with an
average attendance of over fifty (UK) and seven thousand (US)
§ Host / Convener / Preacher at the Annual RCCG Conventions in
Nigeria, UK and the US with an average attendance of over two million
(Nigeria), twenty thousand (UK) and seven thousand (US)
§ Ordination of Pastors / Deacons during the Annual RCCG Conventions
worldwide.
§ Convener of quarterly / annual RCCG Leadership and
Discipleship Conferences and Retreats all over the world.
§ Author of over forty books published all over the world.
