The Redeemed Christian Church of God is a Nigeria-based Pentecostal Holiness ministry.
Church history
Pa Josiah Akindayomi (1909-1981) started
The Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria in
1952. Akindayomi was raised in tribal religion in the state of
Ondo, Nigeria. His search for the Creator led him to be baptized by the
Church Missionary Society in
1927. Somewhat dissatisfied with this group, in
1931 he joined the
Cherubim and Seraphim Church¹. Around
1947, he began to believe that church was departing from the faith. Akindayomi left the
Cherubim and Seraphim church in 1952 to start a house church fellowship with nine members. Akindayomi led the growing church until his death in
1981, when
Enoch Adejare Adeboye assumed the leadership. Adeboye joined the
Redeemed Christian Church in
1973 and was ordained a pastor in
1975. Some of his earliest involvement was in translating Akindayomi's sermons from
Yoruba into
English. Adeboye's appointment was confirmed by the reading of a sealed pronouncement by Pa Akindayomi after his burial.
Church name
Pa Akindayomi called his house fellowship the
Glory of God Fellowship. He felt he received the true church name through a miraculous "
vision of words that appeared to be written on a blackboard. The words were The Redeemed Christian Church of God
. Amazingly, Pa Akindayomi who could not read or write, was supernaturally able to write these words down."
Church doctrine
The Statement of Faith of the
Redeemed Christian Church reveals belief in the Divine inspiration of the
Bible; the
Trinity; the deity, virgin birth, sinless life, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and return of
Jesus; that man by voluntary disobedience and transgression fell into sin; that salvation is through repentance and faith; the baptism of the
Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in tongues; that Divine healing is provided through the atonement; the pre-tribulation rapture of the church; the thousand year reign of Jesus Christ; the final judgment of all the wicked; that eternal heaven and eternal hell are literal final places of destiny; water
baptism by immersion; in the
Lord's supper as a memorial; and in restitution (Christians righting wrongs they have committed).
Church mission
"The mission of the Redeemed Christian Church of God is to proclaim the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ to the lost and to admonish that we live a sanctified life, growing constantly in the faith for the advancement of the kingdom of God and the glory of the Lord."
Church status
There are about 2000 parishes of
The Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria. The church is present on the continent of
Africa in
Cameroon,
Côte d'Ivoire, the
Democratic Republic of Congo,
Gambia,
Ghana,
Kenya,
Malawi,
South Africa,
Tanzania,
Uganda, and
Zambia. In
Europe the church has a presence in
England,
France,
Germany and in the
Republic of Ireland where it has parishes in Co. Dublin, Co. Cork, Co. Limerick...and almost all the Counties in the republic. In the
United States there are parishes in
Chicago, Illinois,
Dallas and
Houston, Texas,
Tallahassee, Florida, New York, and Washington, as well as Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland,
New Jersey, and other states in the last six years. In the Caribbean, the church is in Haiti and Jamaica. Headquarters of the church are located in
Ebute-Metta,
Lagos, Nigeria, and its North American headquarters are in Dallas. .
External link
Footnote
Religion in Nigeria | 1952 establishments