The General Overseer of the Redemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has made many shocking changes in the Church.
The changes include the retirement of the Church’s National Overseer, Pastor Joseph Obayemi.
Daddy G O as he is fondly called made the announcement during a meeting with senior church ministers on Sunday, August 7.
The occasion was the celebration of the 70th anniversary of RCCG.
Adeboye revealed that the person that would succeed him as the General Overseer will be a young man.
This may be in line with the precepts of the Church founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi who ordained him as his successor while Adeboye was only 39 years old.
How Adeboye Succeeded Founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi:
The RCCG which is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary was established in 1952 by Rev. Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi who passed on in 1980.
Before his transition, Akindayomi had given instruction that Pastor Adeboye who joined the Church in 1973 would succeed him as the General Overseer.
Adeboye stepped into Akindayomi’s shoes in 1981 and has remained in office continuously, untainted for 42 years.
In December 2016 Pastor Adeboye appointed Pastor Joseph Obayemi as the church’s overseer in Nigeria.
Obayemi was given an additional portfolio to serve as the Overseer of the RCCG in North Africa in 2021. He was also addressed as Officer in charge of Nigeria.
However, Pastor Adeboye announced his retirement along with many other pastors who had equally attained the age of 70, during the ministers’ conference.
Adeboye explained that the retirement age for all RCCG pastors will now be pegged at 70 years. He said however that some of them may be given lesser roles after retirement.
Pastor Sunday Akande is to replace Obayemi as the RCCG National Overseer. He will serve for a period of two years while Pastor Kalu Ndukwe will serve as the Overseer of the Africa Continent
Adeboye said the position of the national overseer of the church will now be on a 2-year tenure basis while the pastor occupying the position will operate from the redemption camp.
All churches in the camp would henceforth report to the National overseer. He will also represent Pastor Adeboye on special assignments.
Also affected by the changes is Pastor Johnson Odesola who had been in charge of the Administration and Personnel of the Church. He was relieved of the two portfolios. Two pastors were appointed to handle the portfolios.
The new pastor in charge of Personnel is Julius Olalekan while Pastor Dele Balogun was appointed to take charge of Admin. It is not yet clear the new designation of Pastor Odesola who also serves as the Overseer of the RCCG in the middle east.
Vatican city status
The Redemption Camp according to Pastor Adeboye will henceforth be known as Redemption City, just like the Vatican City.
He banned hawking and selling of goods along the roads in the camp saying such practice will no longer be tolerated. Offenders will be prosecuted while their goods will be confiscated.
Indecent dressing in the camp environment will no longer be tolerated according to him.
Adeboye who clocked 80 early this year also named the ring road on the camp after the founder of the church, Pastor Josiah Akindayomi. Some other roads were named after some retired pastors of the church.
During the ministers’ meeting, Daddy G O stated that the maximum speed limit on the camp is now 40 KMH. He said those who exceed the limit would be prosecuted.
The old secretariat of the church according to Pastor Adeboye would be converted into a museum where historical items of the RCCG would be exhibited.
According to Church Times the new laws and changes in the church were the outcome of the meeting of the governing council of the church. A source said the full picture of the new changes will become clearer at the end of the convention programme on Saturday.
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Pastor Adeboye Makes Many Shocking Changes in RCCG