Pastor Adeboye clocks 70 •Jonathan greets RCCG G.O.

Posted by admin Headlines Thursday, March 1st, 2012

THE General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, clocks 70 years old today, with the occasion coinciding with the March Special National Holy Ghost Service of the church.

Fondly known as G.O or Daddy G.O, easy-going Pastor Adeboye, who was born into a poverty-stricken family from Ifewara in the present Osun State, became the General Overseer of the RCCG in 1981, after the demise of the founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi.

The search for a solution to a personal problem led Pastor Adeboye to worship at the RCCG at Ebute-Metta, Lagos in 1973. Then, the church, apart from lacking the comfort of orthodox churches, was located at a presumed obscure place of worship for a holder of Ph.D in Mathematics with only a few educated members. But Adeboye set his hand on the plough never to look back since then.

Holiness-preaching Adeboye, who had his first degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, has been used by God to take the RCCG to greater glory with the introduction of the Holy Ghost service, which started in the late 80s. Similar to the days of the apostles in the Book of Acts, after the ascension of Jesus Christ, it is a service of intense worship and manifestation of signs and wonders.

But the service assumed a phenomenal magnitude as witnessed in the birth of the annual Holy Ghost Festival (which later became Holy Ghost Congress) that was first held at Lekki, Lagos in 1998, for which an estimated four million people gathered to fellowship, praise and pray during the all-night service.

On several occasions, the man of God has always said of the RCCG, which has branches in over 110 nations all over the world, that: “We are believing the Almighty God that very soon, in every town, in every village all over the world, there would be a parish of The Redeemed Christian Church of God established where people could be saved, discipled and trained in the fear of the Lord. So that on the last day, we would have people of all races, from all tribes, from all tongues, praising the Almighty God who have been brought in the Kingdom of God on the platform of The Redeemed Christian Church of God.”

On Tuesday, youths of the mission had converged and commenced a 70-hour of worship and praise to God to mark the 70th birthday of the G.O at the Redemption Camp, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The praise worship, which started at Youth Centre, ended on Thursday, a few hours to the commencement of the March Special Holy Ghost service.

The man of God, who was voted in the Times magazine as one of the 50 most influential personalities worldwide a few years ago, had cautioned every member of the church from embarking on any ostentatious activity for his birthday.

At several forums, Adeboye had practically begged members of the mission to refrain from elaborate celebrations, asking his good friends to bring him the money they intend to spend in newspaper advertisements to complete the ongoing work at the permanent site of the Redeemers University (RUN), which, he said, the institution must move into this year.

He also asked members to, instead of inviting him to a buffet, go spiritual on his behalf, as his birthday gift. “You can pray for me with 7, 14, 21, 28 or 35 days of fasting,” Adeboye stated during last December’s Holy Ghost Congress.

Meanwhile, PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has sent a message of goodwill to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, on the occasion of his 70th birthday celebration today.

In the letter made available to State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, the president observed that Adeboye has lived a truly inspirational and inspiring life of dedicated service in the vineyard of the Lord.

He said in the letter sent on behalf of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria that “rising above the limitations of a background of deprivation to thrive in academics before going into full time ministry, the phenomenal growth of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, of which you are the General Overseer, clearly testifies of God’s hand upon your life and your productive leadership qualities.

“In these critical times in Nigeria’s developmental history, we need more than ever before to seek the face of the Lord. Your readiness at all times to offer spiritual and prayerful support to the nation’s leadership at all levels deserves special commendation.”

Jonathan recalled Apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy, praying that Almighty God should continue to empower the Pastor to “successfully fight the good fight, fruitfully run the course, and continue to keep the faith, until that day when you shall receive the crown of righteousness laid up for you.”

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