I never wanted to be pastor, says RCCG General Overseer, Adeboye

• Assures terrorism will end soon in Nigeria
• Urges Buhari to end killings by herdsmen

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, yesterday, relived how he objected to his selection to be a pastor by the founder of the church, the late Rev. Josiah Akindayomi.

Adeboye said he never wanted to be a pastor when he was called to be the leader of RCCG 40 years ago.

He said he and his wife, Pastor Folu Adeboye, had to fast for 14 days for God to take away the mantle off him.

The cleric, who spoke at the RCCG Headquarters, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, at a service to mark the February thanksgiving and celebration of his 40 years as the General Overseer of the church, said: “When the founder of the church, Papa Josiah Akindayomi, told me that I would be the next leader of the church, I rejected it. There were so many people then who were my seniors that were well qualified to be the next G.O. I was the least qualified.

“I wrote a letter to him to that effect. The person, who dropped the letter with Pa Akindayomi is still here, in person of Pastor David Kuo. But Papa called me and said you know I love you and there must have been a reason why God chose you.”

“That was what changed everything. You don’t say no to those who love you. Today, we looked back and give thanks to God.”

Adeboye, who appreciated his wife for being the pillar of support, said the journey had not been easy and smooth.

He recalled that there were pains, agony, sorrow and betrayals, saying: “What kept us going has been the privilege to hear from God directly. There is a need for people to develop the capacity to hear from God directly.

“At the time I became the G.O., there were several issues. We struggled to pay salaries of about 39 members of staff. As a lecturer at the University of Ilorin, I had a Toyota Crown, which I sold at a point in time to be able to run the church.

“It was 39 parishes with 39 different issues to tackle. But today, we can look back and return all glory to God, who has sustained us thus far.”

Meanwhile, Adeboye has urged Nigerians to keep praying and not lose faith in God.

He assured that terrorism and other vices would soon be a thing of the past in the country.

The Assistant General Overseer, Admin. & Personnel, Pastor Johnson Odesola, who spoke on behalf of the G.O., commended President Muhammadu Buhari for hearkening to the voice of Nigerians by changing the service chiefs.

He urged him to critically look into the problems of herdsmen encroaching on people’s lands and killing the owners.

He also advised the President to see himself as the father of every Nigerian and endeavour to do what is right and unite the country.