The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)
—a globally recognized Pentecostal denomination
Origins & Leadership
· Founded in 1952 by Rev. Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi in Lagos, Nigeria, starting as a small fellowship called Egbe Ogo Oluwa. He reportedly received the church’s name supernaturally and prophesied its global future.
· After Akindayomi’s death in 1980, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, a university math lecturer, took over in 1981 and led exponential growth thereafter.
Global Reach & Membership
· As of 2024, RCCG is present in ~197 countries, with over 51,500 parishes and nearly 10 million members worldwide
· Nigeria alone hosts over 14,000 branches and more than 5 million members. RCCG divides regions into geographic areas, with 59 regions in Nigeria as of 2024
Headquarters & Landmark
· The original headquarters was located at Cemetery Street (now Redemption Way) in Ebute-Metta, Lagos.
· The mega Redemption City of God, international HQ, sits at Km 46, Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Mowe (Ogun State). It spans over 2,500 hectares, with housing, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure built around congregants and staff. Population estimates range up to 200,000 residents.
Major Programs & Ministries
· Holy Ghost Service: held monthly on the first Friday; attracts hundreds of thousands to millions across multiple nations
· Key events:
o Holy Ghost Convention (August)
o Holy Ghost Congress (December)
- Shiloh Hour (first Monday monthly)
Social Impact & Initiatives
· Education:
o Redeemer’s University (Ede, Osun State), launched in 2005.
o The Redeemed Christian Bible College (est. 1990) and several secondary schools also exist.
·
Healthcare
& Relief: Mobile clinics, medical missions, COVID‑19 responses with masks
and clinics, and rural outreach
·
Poverty
alleviation & empowerment: Micro-loans, vocational programs, scholarships,
and feeding schemes mainly for women and youth
·
Youth
& Digital Outreach: Programs such as
o Young Adults and Youth Affairs (YAYA),
o Campus Fellowships, and initiatives like Code4Christ to train youth in tech and ethics
Mission & Vision
RCCG’s stated purpose:
1. To make heaven.
2. To take as many people with them.
3. To ensure RCCG persons are in every household globally.
4. To pursue holiness as a daily lifestyle.
5. To plant churches within 5 minutes walking distance in developing nations, and 5 minutes driving distance in developed nations.
Theology & Practices
1. RCCG follows holiness Pentecostal doctrine: belief in the Trinity, repentance, sanctification, baptism (water & Spirit), divine healing, miracles, and restitution
2. Worship and evangelism emphasize transforming lives, not just rituals—often showcased in testimonies of former addicts, professionals, or even skeptics who experience life change through RCCG ministries worldwide
In Summary
RCCG is one of the largest Pentecostal movements globally. From its humble roots in Lagos, it has grown under the leadership of Rev. Adeboye into a faith-driven, socially engaged—and globally deployed—denomination, with extensive programs in evangelism, healing, education, y outh development, and humanitarian outreach.
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