RELIGION: The General Overseer (GO) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has announced some major changes in the Church. The changes include the retirement of the Church’s National Overseer, Pastor Joseph Obayemi and the attainment of “Vatican City Status”.
Basic Facts
- The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is undergoing some major reshuffling as the GO makes some changes.
- The General Overseer has been removed from office by the General Overseer.
- The National Overseer was removed after 5 years in office, having served in the role as the first person to succeed the current GO in the position.
What We Know
In December 2016 the current General Overseer of the RCCG – Pastor Enoch Adeboye appointed Pastor Obayemi as the church’s National Overseer to replace him in the role, when he transformed into the office of the General Overseer.
In 2021, Pastor Obayemi was given an additional portfolio to serve as the Overseer of the RCCG in North Africa.
He was also addressed as an Officer in charge of Nigeria. However, Pastor Adeboye announced his retirement along with some others during the ministers’ conference of the RCCG on Sunday 7th August 2022.
The minister`s conference had the theme – “Perfect Jubilee’.
Pastor Adeboye described the retiring Obayemi as extremely hard working. He also disclosed that going forward, the retirement age for all RCCG pastors will now be at 70 years.
Following his retirement, Pastor Sunday Akande was appointed as the next National Overseer of RCCG to replace Pastor Obayemi, while his role as the Overseer of the Africa Continent will be replaced by Pastor Kalu Ndukwe.
The General Overseer further announced that the RCCG camp ground will be attaining same semi autonomous status as the Vitan City where Pope, the global spiritual head of the Catholic Church resides.
More Changes
While announcing the changes, Pastor 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.
Obayemi will be replaced as the National Overseer of the RCCG by Pastor Sunday Akande. Pastor Kalu Ndukwe will serve as the Overseer of the Continent of Africa throughout his two-year tenure.
According to Adeboye, the pastor serving in the post of national overseer of the church would now have a two-year term and work out of the redemption camp.
Pastor Johnson Odesola, who was in charge of the Church’s administration and personnel, is also impacted by the changes.
The two portfolios were taken away from him. The portfolios were assigned to two other pastors.
Pastor Julius Olalekan has been named the new pastor in charge of personnel, while Pastor Dele Balogun has been given responsibility for administration. The new designation of Pastor Odesola, who also holds the position of Overseer of the RCCG in the Middle East, is not yet known.
He declared that it was no longer acceptable to hawk or sell products along the roadways in the camp. The goods of offenders will be seized while they are prosecuted.
He also said that inappropriate clothing will no longer be accepted within the camp premises.
Adeboye, who turned 80 early this year, also named the ring road at the redemption camp after Pastor Josiah Akindayomi as other roads were named after some retired pastors.
Notable Quote
Pastor Adeboye said, “Henceforth the Redemption Camp carries the tag of a city just like the Vatican City.”
In his words: “The Governing Council has said the camp ground will soon be a City of its own. We have everything that makes a state.
“The Ring Road on the camp ground is now named after Papa Josiah Akindayomi and some other roads would be named after some retired pastors of the church.
“To be forewarned is forearmed. Stop selling on the roads. Dressing carelessly is not allowed on this camp ground. Those who disobey will not be arrested physically but also spiritually. If you have anyone coming into the camp ground tell him or her to dress properly”, he added.
Takeaway
RCCG has been in existence for 70 years as the church was established in 1952 by Rev. Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi who passed on in 1980.
Before transition, the founder, Akindayomi had given stern instruction that Pastor Adeboye who joined the Church in 1973 would succeed him as the General Overseer.
Pastor Adeboye stepped into Akindayomi’s shoes in 1981. He has served in that position for more than 40 years and still counting.
The clergyman has once again reiterated that the person that would take over from him as the General Overseer will be a young man.
