David O. Oyedepo Founder Redeemed Christian Church of God
(VANGUARD) BETWEEN last year’s convention and this, a total of 1,144 parishes were planted in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, making the church led of the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, unarguably the fastest growing Pentecostal Church in the world.
And to feel the yawning gap created by the increasingly rapid growth, the leadership of the church has perfected plans to create 20 new provinces across the globe at the end of the current convention which began yesterday at the Redemption Camp.
Pastor Adeboye yesterday presided over an ordination service o flag off the 61st annual convention where a total of 8,850 deacons and deaconesses were ordained to help in administering the fast growing church and prepare it for the advent of Jesus.
Works of evangelism
The theme of this year’s week long convention is; ‘Jesus’ with the general overseer and a host of other anointed men of God ministering.
Pastor Adeboye charged the newly ordained deacons and deaconesses to be more actively involved in soul winning and not just parade themselves as ministers of the church, but rather “work tirelessly in propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ and also take the church to the next level through various works of evangelism.”
According to him, the new ministers must rely only on God’s power and always trust the name of Jesus Christ as there is no other name through which mankind can be saved.
In an interview with Vanguard, one of the newly ordained deacons, Dr. Olaleye Olujimi from Northern Province 12, Niger 1, expressed happiness that he was considered worthy to be among the number ordained to serve in the Lord’s vineyard.
“I am very happy to be among over 8,000 people that were ordained today. It is not my making but the Lord’s doing who gave me the grace to qualify. Ordination in Redeemed Christian Church of God is more than the title but a spiritual thing. Also this year ordinations are significant since the theme of the convention is “Jesus” who is the saviour of mankind”.
Also speaking, Mrs Obukagua Faith Rike, Province 1, Dominion Sanctuary parish, Mushin, Lagos had this to say of her ordination: “I am delighted to be alive today and also be among the privileged to be ordained as a deaconess in the RCCG. God added to me spiritually since I have been in the church for the past eight years. I pray that God should uphold and help me to carry out the great task that is ahead of me.”
Malu scare:AN old African adage says; only with high wire wisdom the old man avoids the menacing approach of a cow. Despite assurances by the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare that this year’s convention would be the most wonderful spiritual fiesta in recent history, several of the participants at the Redemption Camp yesterday afternoon abandoned their wares, and took to their heels when a horde of about 200 cows suddenly found their way through open grounds of the old auditorium.
Several men, women and young holidaying children all took to their heels, running for dear lives as the church’s volunteers escort the animals to the slaughter where they would be prepared for the benefit of the participants.
Efforts by the escorts to calm down the participants who were either relaxing or selling their wares across the Arena Road fell on deaf ears as they meandered their ways as they screamed ‘Jesus! Jesus!! Jesus!!!’ as they run to some safe corners.
Today’s events: Events at the convention today will begin with the ordination of assistant pastors for the ministry. Vanguard gathered that a total of 2,402 men and women had dully been screened for ordination today as assistant pastors.
That will be the activity in the morning today; and there after, there will be ‘Children of God meet’ at 2.30 p.m., which will followed immediately at 4.30 p.m. by six group seminars. Title of those seminars include: Youth 1: I can do all things; Youth 2: Building on the rock; Elders: When we see Jesus; Children/Teenagers: Jesus loves me; Good Women Forum: All for Jesus and Men Forum: All for Jesus.
The main attraction of the day is expected to be the first plenary session with the General Overseer, Pastor Adeboye at 8.30 p.m. and the title of his message is expected to be ‘The Saviour.’
Weather: Due to the prevailing harsh climatic conditions at the Redemption Camp participants are hereby warned to prepare themselves against excruciating cold. They are advised to arm themselves with tick clothes and tarpaulins especially those who have not already booked accommodation at the Camp.
A healthcare provider explained to our reporters that diseases such as diarrhoea and pneumonia may be aggravated by the harsh weather condition.
