About RCCG

Our History

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) was founded in 1952 in Nigeria, following a divine revelation received by a young man whose heart had been set ablaze with an unquenchable desire to personally encounter the Supreme Being, in spite of a prevailing environment of nature worship. Seeking a fervent relationship with the God he still knew little about at the time, Reverend Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi was fired by the intuition that there was a greater power than those commonly known to his people. This pursuit of God led him to the Church Missionary Society where he was baptised in 1927. Yet, remaining largely spiritually unfulfilled, he later joined the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, an indigenous African Church that emerged from the Anglican (Episcopal) Church in Nigeria.

 

Reverend Akindayomi’s call as a servant of God began whilst still a member of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, a prompting he ignored for several years, until repeated business failures brought him to the point of repentance. This season became the turning-point for him in his relationship with God. Humbled, he made the decision to totally yield to God and His purposes, seeking divine confirmation of a call to ministry. The confirmation he sought eventually came through the Holy Scriptures. By 1947, he had also become increasingly concerned about some of the doctrinal beliefs of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church to which he belonged and became totally persuaded to leave in 1952.

 

The House Fellowship he later set up in Lagos, Nigeria soon became the hub of spiritual conversions and remarkable miracles, causing the group’s membership to grow rapidly. During this period, Rev Akindayomi who couldn’t read or write English not having had a formal education, received a vision in which the words “The Redeemed Christian Church of God” were written, being the name of the Church that the Lord would establish through him. By supernatural enablement, Rev Akindayomi was able to write these words spelling out the name of the Church. In the course of that spiritual encounter, God also revealed to him that the Church would spread to the ends of the earth and that when the Lord Jesus Christ will appear in glory at the end of the age, He would meet the RCCG. Without doubt, these were extraordinary prophecies to a man with no formal education or great means. Yet, he did not doubt the promises of the Lord but set out in faith to do His will.

 

The RCCG was, therefore, set up on the basis of this covenant between God and man: as long as the members of the RCCG remain obedient to God’s Word, the Lord has promised to always miraculously meet the needs of the Church.

Rev Akindayomi remained faithful to this heavenly vision until he went to be with the Lord in 1980. Prior to this, sometime in the early 1970s, he had received a message from the Lord about his spiritual successor, a young educated man who at the time was not a member of the Church. Hence, when Dr Enoch Adejare Adeboye, a young university lecturer in Mathematics became a member of the Church in 1973, Rev Akindayomi spiritually discerned that this was the person the Lord had spoken about. Dr Adeboye soon became involved in the activities of the Church and began to serve as an interpreter for Rev Akindayomi, translating his live sermons from Yoruba to English. The young man was ordained a pastor of the church in 1975.

 

The House Fellowship he later set up in Lagos, Nigeria soon became the hub of spiritual conversions and remarkable miracles, causing the group’s membership to grow rapidly. During this period, Rev Akindayomi who couldn’t read or write English not having had a formal education, received a vision in which the words “The Redeemed Christian Church of God” were written, being the name of the Church that the Lord would establish through him. By supernatural enablement, Rev Akindayomi was able to write these words spelling out the name of the Church. In the course of that spiritual encounter, God also revealed to him that the Church would spread to the ends of the earth and that when the Lord Jesus Christ will appear in glory at the end of the age, He would meet the RCCG. Without doubt, these were extraordinary prophecies to a man with no formal education or great means. Yet, he did not doubt the promises of the Lord but set out in faith to do His will.

 

The RCCG was, therefore, set up on the basis of this covenant between God and man: as long as the members of the RCCG remain obedient to God’s Word, the Lord has promised to always miraculously meet the needs of the Church.

Rev Akindayomi remained faithful to this heavenly vision until he went to be with the Lord in 1980. Prior to this, sometime in the early 1970s, he had received a message from the Lord about his spiritual successor, a young educated man who at the time was not a member of the Church. Hence, when Dr Enoch Adejare Adeboye, a young university lecturer in Mathematics became a member of the Church in 1973, Rev Akindayomi spiritually discerned that this was the person the Lord had spoken about. Dr Adeboye soon became involved in the activities of the Church and began to serve as an interpreter for Rev Akindayomi, translating his live sermons from Yoruba to English. The young man was ordained a pastor of the church in 1975.

 

As revealed by the Lord, Pastor E.A. Adeboye became the General Overseer of the RCCG in 1981. Under his leadership, the RCCG has begun to experience the phenomenal growth promised by the Lord to his predecessor. A man devoted to fervent prayer and known for his unwavering emphasis on holy living as the foundation of a fruitful and enduring relationship with God, Pastor Adeboye is being used by God to bring the message of the gospel to nations around the world. In spite of the miraculous move of God in his ministry, however, Pastor Adeboye’s humble disposition is widely acknowledged, thus making him a role model for many the world over. In December 2008, Newsweek, the international newsmagazine, named him one of the 50 most influential persons on the planet.

The RCCG is currently active across continents with thousands of parishes, of which a little over 700 are in the United Kingdom.

Our Belief

THE BIBLE

We believe that the entire Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, were written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3: 16-17). We believe that the Bible is the written and revealed Will of God. The teachings of the Bible are holy and we accept these as the revealed will of God which remain unchangeable. Heavens and Earth may pass away but the Word of God stands forever (Deut. 4:22; Rev. 22:18, 19; Matt. 24:34-38).

 

ABOUT GOD

We believe that there is only one God, the creator of both visible and invisible creatures (Gen. 1:1; Ps. 86:9-10; Is. 43:10-11; John 1:1-3). Only God will be in existence forever (Ez. 3:14) and in Him, every creature receives life (John 5:26).

 

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who took away our sins and is the Saviour of the world. We also believe that Jesus is God and was born by Mary the Virgin. He is God revealed in the flesh. Through Him all things were created. John 1:1-14; John 14:9; Matt. 1:18-25, Is 9:6; Is 53:5-6. We believe in His death on the Cross, and resurrection, by which He brought redemption – Is. 53:4-10; I Pet. 2:24; John 10:11; Gal. 3:13, Matt. 20:28; I Cor. 15:3; Rom. 4:25; II Cor. 5:14; Heb 2:9; Heb 9:26.

 

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person in the TRINITY. He has the same power, the same glory with God the Father and God the Son (John 14:16-17; John 15:26; Matt. 3:16; Acts 13:24). He is one with the Father and the Son, and is also to be worshipped and served. The Holy Spirit has a great work to perform. He teaches, He speaks to men, and bears witness in us (Acts 16:6-7). He performs the work of regeneration for man (John 3:5-6). He also performs the work of Sanctification in the born again souls until they are fully sanctified (John 16:8; Eph 1:17-19; II Thess. 2:13; I Cor. 6:11). This same Holy Spirit endows believers with gifts they can use (I Cor. 12:7). He empowers believers (Acts 1:8).

 

ABOUT THE TRINITY

We believe that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost are one God, but made of three persons – hence they are ONE IN TRINITY (Gen. 1:16-29; Matt. 3:16-17; Matt. 18:19).

 

ABOUT THE DEVIL

We believe that there is a devil who seeks the downfall of every man. He brought sickness, sin   and death into the world (Gen. 3:1-16). He seeks the destruction of those who exercise their faith in the Lord Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11; James 4:7; I Peter 5:8). The devil has several unclean spirits over whom he governs (Matt. 12:24). A time would soon come when he shall be thrown into the pit and chained for one thousand years (Rev. 20:7-9). After this, he will be put into the lake of fire where he will suffer alongside his followers eternally (Rev. 20:10).

 

ABOUT MAN

We believe that God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, thus transforming him into a living soul (Gen. 2:7). Therefore, man is made up of three parts, namely body, soul and spirit. Man is God’s ambassador on earth (Gen. 1:26-28). God allows man to take part in His work and thereby reveals His love for mankind more than any other creature (Gen. 2:15). This also shows how God has elevated man above other creatures on the earth.

 

REPENTANCE UNTO GOD

We believe that repentance is the sorrow a person experiences for their sins, causing them to make the decision to abstain from such sins (Acts 3:19; 20:21; II Cor. 7:10; Mark 1:15; Is. 55:7; II Chron. 7:14; Ezek. 18:21).

 

JUSTIFICATION OR NEW BIRTH

We believe that justification or the new birth is by God’s grace wherein we are cleansed from our sins and are able to stand before God as though we had never sinned (Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:25-26; Rom 5:1; I Cor. 6:11; Gal. 3:24; John 1:12-13; 3:3; II Cor. 5:9; Titus 3:5; I Peter 1:23; Acts 10:43; John 3:3,5).

 

SANTIFICATION (HOLINESS)

We believe that sanctification is another grace of God by which our souls are progressively and completely cleansed. This is the second accomplishment of the grace which through our faith in the Blood of Jesus Christ is wrought after we have been justified and freed from our sins (John 17:15-17; I Thess. 4:3; Heb. 2:11; 12:14; 13:12; I John 1:7; Luke 1:74, 75; II Cor. 7:1; I Peter 1:16; Eph. 5:25-27; I Thess. 5:23-24; II Thess. 2:13).

 

WATER BAPTISM

We believe that all members of this Church should be baptised by immersion in water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We believe that water baptism is a sign of true repentance of a sinner and that anyone who is baptised is joined with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:1-23; Col. 2: 1-13). Therefore, anybody who is baptised is dead to the world and the evils thereof (Gal. 6:14).

 

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that all born-again souls should ask for the Holy Spirit from above, just as the Apostles were ordered to wait in Jerusalem until they were filled from above. It is the promise of the Father. It is God’s gift which He gives to those who obey Him (Luke 24:49; John 4:14-26; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 5:32; Acts 8:14-17). It is God’s promise unto those who are far and all whom the Lord shall call (Acts 2:38-39). Any Christian who receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit should speak in tongues (Acts 2:4; Acts 10:34-36; Acts 19:2-6).

 

ABOUT PRAYER

We believe that a Christian without condemnation of heart has a right to thank God in adoration and in prayer always. The Holy Spirit also helps us to pray according to the will of God (Rom. 8:26). We must pray only in the name of Jesus (John 16:23; ; I Tim. 2:25). Without faith, our prayer is powerless before God (James 1:6-8; Heb. 11:6). Much trouble and danger are encountered in the absence of prayer (Zeph. 1:4; Dan 9:13-14; Hosea 8:13-14). We are commanded to pray without ceasing (Col. 4:2; I Thess. 5:17; I Cor. 7:5; Luke 18:1). It is God’s plan and order that we should pray to receive all the goods He has promised in His treasure for us (James 4:2; Dan. 9:3; Matt. 7:7-11; Matt. 9:24-29; Luke 11:13).

 

DIVINE HEALING

We believe that healing without medicine is Biblical (Matt. 4:23; Ps. 103:3). The Lord Jesus has commanded us to go into the world not just to teach His Word to the nations but to also heal the sick (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 10:1, Mark 16:15-18). We can obtain our healing in these four ways: (1) by personal prayer (John 14:13-14 2); (2) by two people (or a group of people) who have agreed to pray by faith (Matt. 18:19-20; (3) by the laying of hands (Mark 16:18; Acts 9:18; Acts 28:8); and (4) by the ministry of Church Elders, anointing the sick with oil and offering a prayer of faith (James 5:14-15).

 

HOLY MATRIMONY

We believe that marriage is a honourable institution (Heb. 13:4). Therefore, all those who wish to marry can do so in the church.

 

HOLY COMMUNION OR THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe that the Holy Communion was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ shortly before His death when He commanded all Christians to gather regularly to share bread and wine till He comes back again (Luke 22:17-20; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; I Cor. 10:18, 21; Acts 2:42; 20:7; I Cor. 11:23-30).

 

THE CHURCH OF GOD

We believe that the born-again souls are the Church of God (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:1-18; Eph 3:10; 5:24-29). The Church is the assembly of all believers, the sanctified souls in Christ Jesus, those who we call the Holy people of God (I Cor. 1:2; Acts 14:23; Phil. 4:15; Acts 13:28). They accept Christ as the Head of the Church and gather from time to time to worship God in truth and Spirit. Their major assignment is to spread the Gospel of Christ to all Nations (Matt. 28:19).

 

PROPHECY IN THE CHURCH

We believe in all the prophecies in the Bible. Also, the gift of prophecy can be received by believers by inspiration of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 14:29). Prophecies should not be despised (I Thess. 5:20), but any prophecy that is contrary to the revealed will of God in the Bible should be rejected.

 

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

We believe in the Second coming of Jesus Christ; that it will be in physical form and will be visible to all in the manner as He was seen ascending up to heavens (Acts 1:9-11; John 14:3). His return will be in two stages: first, a return in the sky, following which the Saints or the Bride of Christ will be raptured or caught up in the air to meet Christ in the sky (I Thess. 4:15-17; I Cor. 15:51-52; Matt. 24:40-44; Matt 25:10); and (b), Christ’s return to the earth when He will judge sinners and the ungodly (Rev. 19:19-21; II Thess. 1:7-10; Jude 1:14-15; Zech. 14:3-4).

 

NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH

We believe that after God’s judgement, this wicked world will be removed. God will create a new Heaven and a new Earth in which holiness will reign (Matt. 24:35; II Peter 3:12-13; Rev. 21:1-

Our Mandate

Our Mandate

  • TO MAKE HEAVEN
  • TO TAKE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WITH US
  • TO HAVE A MEMBER OF THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD IN EVERY FAMILY OF ALL NATIONS
  • TO ACCOMPLISH No. 1 ABOVE, HOLINESS WILL BE OUR LIFESTYLE
  • TO ACCOMPLISH Nos. 2 & 3 ABOVE, WE WILL PLANT CHURCHES WITHIN FIVE MINUTES WALKING DISTANCE IN EVERY CITY AND TOWN OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND WITHIN FIVE MINUTES DRIVING DISTANCE IN EVERY CITY AND TOWN OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
  • WE WILL PURSUE THESE OBJECTIVES UNTIL EVERY NATION IN THE WORLD IS REACHED FOR JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD

    Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)