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Bisi Daniels
Devoting a whole week to praising God by
millions of people around the world turned out to be a wonderful
experience for many people at the 65th annual convention of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God. And not unexpectedly it offered several story
pegs to writers – ranging from things usually taken for granted to the
most spiritual experience.
To have millions of people flock into
the Redemption Camp, with thousands of volunteers and guests
accommodated and fed freely during the period without any incident and
for programmes to run seamlessly, may be taken for granted but it is a
miracle in itself.
The Friday scenes at the twin camps of
the church – the original Redemption Camp at Kilometre 46, Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway and at The Arena, the three-kilometre-by-three-kilometre
auditorium – witnessed a deluge of unforgettable experiences by
worshippers. A typical example was one of a fair-complexioned lady of
about 45 years old who dangled her car key unconsciously as she walked
several metres uphill. “I have never seen a thing like this all my life,
she said.”
Like the reporter, as early as 4.30 p.m.
for an event that would start at 8pm, she had to park her car near the
entrance of the Arena and walk several metres to the auditorium, which
was purposeful built for an envisaged crowd of that size. But it would
seem that on a day like that the auditorium would still come under
pressure.
With the completed sections of The Arena
full to capacity, over three million people must have been there.
Amazingly, the old auditorium at the Redemption Camp was almost full,
even without the physical presence of Pastor Adeboye there. The
auditorium seats three million people.
People also participated at viewing
centres of the numerous RCCG parishes around the country, and in 194
other countries around the world.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, who must
have had a VIP entry, as did some state governors who were in
attendance on Friday, couldn’t help but note the miracle during a book
launch at the Redemption Camp last Tuesday. He said: “The RCCG is the
church that has been able to pull the largest gathering at a single
convention in the world. Apart from Coca-Cola, the Church is next in
mileage across the world.” He added, “It all has to do with the
sincerity, dedication and humility of Daddy G.O. (as Pastor E.A. Adeboye
is fondly called).
The General Overseer, however,
characteristically attributed all the achievements to God. That must
have been the reason why, as revealed by him, even though he slept for
only one hour a day during the convention and participated in nearly all
daily programmes, he looked fresher and more energetic by the day.
During the thanksgiving service on Sunday, he looked like a man in his
50s, far younger than a 75-year-old man.
He said at the launch of a book, “Pastor
E.A. Adeboye: His Life and Calling,” written by 40 authors, which was
hidden from him by his wife Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye, the lead author,
until an hour to the ceremony: “My wife knows that if I had any idea
about what is happening today, it would never happen. I would have
stopped it long ago because who am I without Jesus Christ? If there is
anyone to be celebrated, it should be Him.
“People say I am humble, but people need
to know where I am coming from. I cannot say I have any ability or
wisdom. Everything has been the Lord Himself. When I was about 40 and
spotted grey hairs on my head, I wondered why and God said I was
carrying a burden that was not mine.“ God said, ‘I am just using you as
camouflage. People need to see someone. So, I am putting you forward so
that I can do the work from behind. So, everything that is happening in
RCCG, nothing is of Adeboye at all; it is all about God. So, for you to
say you are writing a book about somebody that is nothing; someone who
has almost zero beginning, from a poor family and who passed through
secondary school by God’s grace.”
That was the reason why when this writer
was urged to launch a book he wrote about Pastor Adeboye in March
titled, “Stories of Pastor E.A. Adeboye: The Power of Testimony,” he
said the General Overseer would not be comfortable with it.
The convention was evidently a
successful one, and at the thanksgiving ceremony on Sunday, retired
Assistant General Overseer G.A. Ilori rightly gave profuse glory to God
for the success of the convention. “We have had opportunity to praise
God and He has done wonderful things in our lives,” he noted.
The week was eventful for deacons,
deaconesses, assistant pastors, pastors and elders who were ordained by
the church. Those ordained were 47 honourary elders; 1,037 full pastors;
2,236 assistant pastors; and 8, 222 deacons and deaconesses.
It was similarly important for the
mothers of the 106 babies who were delivered at the medical facility of
the church, as it was for thousands of other mothers who had been prayed
for by the church and so took their babies to the altars at the twin
camps and viewing centres across the world for dedication and blessing.
On Friday at the Arena, from where this
reporter sat, he counted over two thousand people as they poured out
from one side of the Arena and gave up when the surge made it impossible
to continue. People were also pouring in from all angles. In the end,
an estimated pool of thousands of mothers had gathered at the altar,
some of them shedding tears of joy.
The scene at the old auditorium, that was beamed on the screen, showed a similar pool.
“I rejoice with you all because my father visited your wombs and gave you joy,” Pastor Adeboye said as he prayed for them.
“I rejoice with you all because my father visited your wombs and gave you joy,” Pastor Adeboye said as he prayed for them.
Of major importance to Pastor Adeboye,
who always emphasizes salvation and what it takes to make heaven, were
the people, in large numbers, who rushed to the altar anytime the call
was made every day.
Amazing testimonies were also given, and
for the many who needed miracles, there were opportunities to be
hopeful or even assured of one.
On Thursday, Pastor Adeboye led the
millions of people participating in the convention around the world to
replicate the miraculous fall of the Wall of Jericho, which happened
some 10, 000 years ago. Well aware that the exercise would sound
childish to some church members and others, he took some time to explain
it. He started by saying, “I know you trust me, but I have to assure
you about what God has asked us to do. Initially, I wanted us to sing
praises to the Lord and dance to end tonight’s service, but He told me
we should do something special.”
Assured that the congregation was
convinced, he asked that people do a circular walk in the limited spaces
they had as he counted from one to seven. After the seventh, the
church’s music instrumentalists were to blow trumpets for the
congregation to shout Halleluyah as the Israelites did.
For most people, that was not going to be a problem so long as Pastor Adeboye, noted for signs, wonders and miracles, led them.
Promptly, the exercise begun, but at the
6th round, some people shouted Halleluyah. He let it pass for the
exercise to be completed, after which he explained the premature shout
of Halleluyah was from the devil inside the few people who shouted that
came out. He then asked for a repeat of the seventh round after which
the trumpets blared for a thunderous shout of Halleluyah and continuous
praise of the Lord by a joyous congregation, which at the Redemption
Camp alone, numbered thousands. The auditorium was full to capacity.
The Friday he had called “a special day”
was also described by many people as a wonderful experience. He blessed
them with the staff he had been given by the founder of the church, the
late Rev. Josiah Akindayomi.
Like the night before, he took time to
prepare the congregation for what some people might deem childish. He
extolled the achievements of the founder of the church, recalling that
although he was illiterate, God had done many great things for the
church through revelations He had given him. Among them were the name of
the church revealed to an illiterate in English; that he would travel
the world over, which he did before he died; and that he would be
instrumental to the spread of the church, which is now in 195 countries
and counting.
That said, he paused and let out what
was a secret to many people: “God had instructed Rev Akindayomi to make a
short wooden staff to be blessed; and to be handed over to his
successor.” The congregation went quiet for more information about that;
and when he lifted up the staff, people went wild with excitement.
Again, he called for attention and
explained that the staff had been given to him years ago but God ordered
that it should be used sparingly: he was going to use it at the
Convention for three special prayers, including a prayer for God to make
a way where there is no way. He would raise it up, mention a prayer
point and the congregation would pray. The prayers done, he raised it up
again to bless handkerchiefs. As he did and prayed, the congregation
waved the handkerchiefs with shouts of “Halleluyah, halleluyah.”
Throughout the Convention, the theme,
Halleluyah or Praise was emphasized by Pastor Adeboye and guest pastors,
including Bishop David Oyedepo and Rev Joe Olaiya, who ministered day
and night. They explained the benefits of praising God as including the
special attention of God, invitation of God’s presence and glory, which
provides His favour, healing, access to revelation and breakthrough.
To close the convention, during which
Pastor Mrs. Adeboye led prayers for all nations and their leaders,
including President Buhari, Pastor Adeboye said: “It has been a glorious
convention; God has surprised us, as He always does. Thank you all for
your prayers, support and for standing by us.”
He recalled how during the church’s Holy
Ghost Congress in Abuja, God had asked him to praise Him for three days
before asking for anything; and how that made the event a huge success.
He then assured that for praising God all week, prayers would be
answered.
He went on to bless the congregation and
participants around the world. “For the rest of your life, you will be
singing, dancing and shouting halleluyah,” he prophesied, among others.
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