We look at the amazing things that make the RCCG G.O stand out from other pastors.
In honor of Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye, who turns 76 today, we are reflecting on the major things that make him a one of a kind cleric.
These things include:
Simple Lifestyle
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is undoubtedly a big deal in Nigeria and across the worldwide.
In fact, he was named one of the 50 most powerful people in the world by the American news magazine, Newsweek this year.
He was also on the 2018 Forbes list of the richest pastors in the worldwide.
Nevertheless, you would never know this by just looking at him. In spite of all his accomplishments, Pastor Adeboye has maintained a simple lifestyle over the years.
He and his wife, Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye, both avoid flashy outfits and generally have a modest appearance.
Meekness
The cleric fondly referred to Daddy G.O, can be described as a quiet and gentle. This is probably due to his soft-spoken and generally meek nature.
This has been confirmed by the president of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle Ayokunle.
In his birthday wish, he calls Pastor Adeboye a “pride to all Christian Leaders in Nigeria and the whole of Africa…one of the meekest men on earth today.”
The RCCG G.O speaks on the need for humility in a recent interview with Vanguard.
In his words, “I believe the gospel is for all people. But I believe it is even more for the masses and the majority of the masses — if you are going to reach for them you have to be at their level. If they see you as someone they can relate to — it’ll be easier for them to listen, to hear from you.
“One thing I’ve discovered about the masses — even though they might be poor and not high up there — there’s still something in them that doesn’t like being looked down upon. So they relate to someone who will talk to them at their level.
“But not just that — the so-called high and mighty — if you get close to them, you will know that underneath the beautiful dresses — they’re human — presidents, heads of state, CEOs — they all still go to the toilet — they all still get tired, all feel pain — so if you go to the basics you will reach everyone; because in every man there is that basic need.”
Marathon Fasting and Praying
Pastor Adeboye and RCCG, by extension, have become synonymous with fasting and praying.
The RCCG G.O has spoken about the importance of these two things on several occasions.
Reportedly, he leaves his family for about five days, three times every year, to spend quality time with God.
Another interesting thing about him is that he allegedly always fasts with his wife.
In 2017, he revealed how they both fasted for 40 days three times over a particular issue.
He said: “If you can find a woman that can stand by you with 40 days of prayer and fasting, first, second, third time and willing to go with you as long as possible, then I will classify your wife as second to mine. Without my wife, I cannot be doing what I am doing today.”
ALSO READ: This year, Pastor Adeboye’s church is fasting for 80 whole days
On Pastor Adeboye
The RCCG G.O was born on Sunday, March 2, 1942, in Ifewara, Osun State.
His parents, Moses Adeboye and Esther Adeboye, were very poor and could barely afford to pay his school fees but somehow he got a formal education.
Speaking with Vanguard, he said: “I was born handicapped, financially and socially. I was born into probably the poorest family in the whole world. Among poor people, my father was considered poor. For the first time in 18 years of my life, I never wore a pair of shoes.”
In 1956, he discovered a love for science and mathematics at the Ilesha Grammar School, Ilesha, Osun State. He later obtained a B.Sc. degree in Mathematics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1967.
Pastor Adeboye also got an M.Sc. degree in Hydrodynamics and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, both from the University of Lagos, in 1969 and 1975 respectively.
He was a Maths lecturer when he crossed parts with Pa Josiah Akindayomi(1909–1980), who founded RCCG in 1952.
Eventually, the church would be handed over to the current RCCG G.O, Pastor Adeboye.
Now, RCCG has branches in over 190 countries around the world.