THE LIFE OF ENOCH ADEJARE ADEBOYE
The life of Enoch Adejare Adeboye is a
fulfillment of the scriptures in Zechariah
4: 10 which declare, “despise not the
days of small beginnings.” 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 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 Revd. 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.
Unknown to him though, the Lord had
already informed the founder that “a
man of books” (a highly educated man)
would soon join RCCG and eventually
take over the mantle of leadership
from him (the founder) whenever he
passed away. As Enoch Adeboye joined
and became an active member of RCCG,
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 (from the native Yoruba
dialect to the English language) and later
was 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 passed away 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.
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 the 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 18 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 worshipers 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.
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.
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.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME.
