Our History

Learn more about the history of RCCG

1909 – 1939

In July 1909, Pa Josiah Akindayomi was born in Ondo State (Nigeria).

Despite being surrounded by idol worshippers as a child, he knew there was a greater power and yearned to know “The God who created the earth and everyone on it”. His pursuit for God led him to the Church Missionary Society, where he was baptized in 1927. Still spiritually unfulfilled, he joined the Cherubim and Seraphim church in 1931. Whilst attending the Cherubim & Seraphim church, Pa Akindayomi began to hear a voice within him saying “You will be my servant”. As that was not his plan or intention, he ignored the voice for about 7 years during which all his attempts at business ventures failed. In debt and without peace of mind, he became completely dependent on God’s grace. Totally broken, he yielded to God saying, “Lord, I will go wherever you want me to go”. This marked the beginning of a definite relationship with God.

1940 – 1952

God confirmed the calling through scripture.

Pa Akindayomi asked God for signs to confirm that this was indeed His call, and the confirmation came through scripture – Jeremiah 1:4-10, Isaiah 41:10-13 and Romans 8:29-31. God assured him that He would provide for all his needs, as he would not receive any salary from that point on. This proved to be a comforting reminder during the trials in the months ahead. In 1941, he got married. In 1947, Pa Akindayomi became concerned that the church, Cherubim & Seraphim, was departing from the true Word of God in some of its practices. By 1952, he felt persuaded to leave the church and he started a house fellowship, The Glory of God Fellowship, at Willoughby Street in Ebute-Metta, Lagos. There were only nine members initially but the fellowship rapidly grew as news of the miracles that occurred in their midst spread.

1952 – 1969

In 1952, the Redeemed Christian Church of God was born.

Pa Akindayomi had a vision of the words “The Redeemed Christian Church of God”, which appeared to be written on a blackboard. Unable to read or write, he was supernaturally able to write those words down. During this visitation, God told him that this church would go to the ends of the earth and that when the Lord Jesus Christ appeared in glory, He would meet the church. God then established a covenant with Pa Akindayomi, synonymous to the Abrahamic covenant in the Bible. God said that He would meet all the needs of the church in an awesome way if only members would serve Him faithfully and be obedient to His Word. It is upon this covenant that the Redeemed Christian Church of God was built. In 1952, the Redeemed Christian Church of God was born – destined by the Lord Himself to take the world for Himself. The church continued to meet at 9 Willoughby Street until they were able to acquire a land, relocating to the current headquarters located at 1-5 Redemption Way, Ebute-Metta, Lagos (formerly 1a, Cemetery Street).

1970 – 1981

Enoch Adejare Adeboye joined the church in 1973.

In the early 70s, God spoke to Pa Akindayomi about his successor – a young and educated man who was not a member of the church at the time. In 1973, a young University Lecturer at the University of Lagos, Enoch Adejare Adeboye, joined the church and Pa recognized him in the Spirit as the one God had spoken to him about. He became an interpreter for Pa Akindayomi, translating his sermons from Yoruba to English. in 1975, he was ordained as a pastor of the church.
While preparing to meet his Creator, Pa Akindayomi sent for Pastor Adeboye and spent several hours sharing with him the details of God’s covenant and plans for the church. Although the Lord had revealed this succession to Pastor Adeboye a year before, he found it difficult to fully contemplate this awesome responsibility. Pa Josiah Akindayomi passed away at 71 years old and amidst controversy, Pastor Adeboye’s appointment was formalized by the reading of Pa Akindayomi’s sealed pronouncement after his burial.

1981 – present

God continues to do His marvellous deeds through RCCG.

Since 1981, the Redeemed Christian Church of God has continued to experience tremendous growth. There are currently at least 2,000 parishes of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria. Internationally, RCCG is present across Africa, Europe, North America & the Caribbean, South America, the Middle East and Australia. Till date, God continues to do His marvellous deeds through the Redeemed Christian Church of God worldwide. The Holy Ghost Service, which is one of the well-known programs of the church, is an all-night miracle service attended by millions and held on the 1st Friday of each month at the Redemption Camp (Km. 46, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway). The service also holds around the world on a monthly basis and is led by Pastor Adeboye bi-annually in London (UK). He also leads the service annually in Washington, DC (USA) and Toronto, ON (Canada), and every two years in Europe.