Pastor E. A. Adeboye, an incurable worshipper: KSA led Praises, while Pastor E.A Adeboye worships on!

…that I, by all means may save some.

In the scriptures – from the book of Genesis – we know how God Almighty seeks ‘the true worshippers’. For instance, we do not have to travel too far to find the classical case of Cain and Abel in the context of worship. This call for worshippers was sought for by God throughout the Bible.

Focus in this current edition is on the Archbishop of the Pentecostal Movements in Nigeria and beyond – Pastor E. A. Adeboye of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. Having personally observed him critically and with keen interest - the secret of his successes both in personal life and ministry - I was able to discover two things that made him still standing out, from what we have read and heard about his past, up to his appointment as the General Overseer of the world’s fastest growing denomination – The Redeemed Christian Church of God. Though, I might be young then, I was old enough to recall activities spanning his appointment as the General Overseer to date. His obvious secret is found in OBEDIENCE and aggressive true WORSHIPPING!

Reminiscence into the recollection past, it is no longer news, the history of the Church – The Redeemed Christian Church of God – how it all started in 1952. How the founder, ‘an illiterate’ – Pa Josiah Akindayomi was called by God from a poor family background out of the Cherubim & Seraphim Church (Aladura). But from that unlikely situation came the one mission that is now in almost every home all over the world today! The focus here however, is on the very unique man whom carnally speaking, was not expected to succeed the founder, but as a divine mandate would have it, succeeded him. More so, he has successfully matched both the old and young generation together in the spirit of worship, using all forms of music types.

From inception, at the mission - The Redeemed Christian Church of God - there was some different ways for which music was perceived and used before the advent of Pastor E A Adeboye. Clearly, contemporary music was totally unacceptable. The church during its start-up would never use musical instruments. Clapping - where it was ever allowed to be used - was done with moderation. Dancing was a taboo! Joyful noise was like a case of manifesting worldliness! In time, the use of Organ and other orchestral musical instruments such as Accordion, Violin were acceptable for its soothing solemn tonations. The church first organist - Pastor Stephen Ayodele - was well trained and tutored in classics and hymnals. Hymns and spiritual songs were about the only musical focus of the mission. Songs like ‘mba niye bi adaba, mba folo s’ile mi l’oke mba niye bi adaba, mba fo lo si Jerusalem’ (oh have I gotten wings like a dove, I would have flown to my home above, have I gotten wings like a dove I would have flown to Jerusalem), Iwo to nfe ba Jesu lo, gba Jesu kosi bosinu ayo re (Thou who want to go with Jesus, accept Jesus and enter into His joy). Primitive as the options of music type was, there was clear manifestation of the power of God. At that time, prominent amongst the few worship leaders was Pastor P.O. Ojo - a chronic stammer,

yet would lead praise and worship for hours even in an out-door crusade without a single obstruction to the rhythm. That was God’s own power! Or how do you explain a total stammer to lead a congregation in worship? Such was the intensity of power of God during worship. The now retired clergy was even noted for one particular inspirational line ‘Oro re iye ni, Oro re Igbala ni o, je k’oro re le maa gbe ‘nu mi ki nle se rere’ (Thy word is life, thy word is salvation, let Thy word dwell in me that I may prosper). For this, his was fondly called by his fans ‘Oro re’ (Thy word). Pastor P.O. Ojo, who recently turned 70-years old, remembered the good old days and still by the power of God sang praises to God during his birthday anniversary. I personally still cannot comprehend how a stunned Stammer sings God’s praise but that was it in the Redeemed Christian church of God - the power of God! Very little was any involvement with contemporary music. The founder had a strong belief in a myth, that when you play certain instruments such as ‘akuba’ (a local wooden small drum, carved musical instrument covered with animal skin, where musical sound is produced from by slapping its surface rhythmically), that the sounds produced from such instrument attracts spirits! Such spirits he believed would be dancing back-front in the direction of the sound. So, for Pa Akindayomi who was formally part of the C & S (Aladura) church, it was such music that enhances the different manifestations during fellowships in the Aladura churches. He believed then that music only attracts evil spirits. (But in the actual sense, music inspired by the spirit of God regardless of its forms and musical instrument type will always attract SPIRIT - the spirit of God). And for what God had called him to do, music, if ever will be included in his missionary activities, has to be the solemn type! The first choir master then was late Pastor Fayombo a.k.a ‘Ki ngbe nu re?’ (What is it that is resident in you?). Others had their feel of the move of God using their choice of music type then. But then, God told Pa Josiah Akindayomi to pass the baton of the church leadership unto another man - Enoch Adejare Adeboye - an incurable worshipper of God! Meanwhile, let me say here that the mission under the leadership of the founder, though an illiterate, attracted a sizeable number of educated personalities including foreigners. Basically, Pa Josiah Akindayomi’s position with respect to music was not a result of his limited education, but simply his point of view on the subject of music. Consequently, that became part of the church’s doctrines at that time and not a doctrine of ‘The Bible’!

Like what could be referred to as a total turn around, came the leadership of the second advent of the mission who ironically was so hooked-on to music in every modern sense of it. Music is being totally part of him. In his few years of assuming office as the General Overseer, he as a talented poet, practically released a musical album, with the hit song track titled: Halleluyah Ogo ni f’Olorun (Halleluyah glory to God). Having inherited lots of issues that needed be regularized, he was quick to make his position known to the church on the concept of good and spiritual Bible-based-music, as against the then position of the church’s doctrine. I remember very well in 1983 as the church prepares for its first loud open air crusade which was held at the Roll-park – (a State’s owned sport centre in Lagos) - for the first time ever a live band played during the crusade. This new musical position expedited the development of the church and attracted more true worshippers. The musical band was personally sponsored by Pastor E A Adeboye. Contemporary musical instruments were acquired for the band (The Regenerated Singers) – a name given by Brother Kunle Ajayi who was a music student that major in lead-guitar at that time, now a Pastor and the 4^th national music director of the mission. According to Pastor Kunle Ajayi,

‘the General Overseer, Pastor E A Adeboye discovered the musical talent in me; this prompted him to buy me my first Saxophone ever’. This took place when it does not look to the undiscerning ordinary-man, that Pastor Kunle Ajayi would ever become prominent with the musical instrument in the nearest future. In the same vein, I remember well enough that the now leader for the national praise team of the Redeemed Christian church of God mission, Pastor Olatunji Raphael was the first drummer of the first live band approved by Pastor E A Adeboye for the Redeemed Christian church of God’s mission then-‘Regenerated Singers’ band. Pastor E A Adeboye’s love for Fela Anikulapo-Kuti‘s soul saw him winning quite a number of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti‘s followers for Christ. Prominent of them then was John Omewah who became a national praise leader in the mission, but now a Pastor with some other pastoral assignment in United State of America for the mission. The trend got Obey’s lead guitarist - Paul Tao turned to Christ, today he is amongst the music Pastors of the mission. Notable musicians and stars are more and more turning to Christ as a result of Pastor Adeboye’s kind gesture and love for music! We believe that before the great passion of Pastor E A Adeboye to win souls at all cost, he was a chorister, a musical artist, with special gift in the use of language. Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye – A true man of God - a poet, a writer, an orator, a musical mentor with lots of protégés both within and outside the immediate mission of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, is a great composer, with so many compositions of praise songs and worship lyrics. In recent times, he seems now more of elder’s feels, and he does more of hymn compositions. His recent birthday was celebrated in style, with 71-hour ‘marathonic’ worship and praise, when he turned 71 in March, 2013.

King Sunny Ade Led Praise in 71st Birthday Celebration of Pastor E A Adeboye

Worship leader at the Non-stop 71hrs Praise session in Celebration of the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God

KSA on Duty at Redemption Camp

Participant during the Marathon praise celebration

Socked in Worship!

Vine Song from Great Britain

Children Celebrating Daddy G.O in Praise!

KSA doing at his Element

Daddy G.O Blesses the Children after an exceptional performance

RCCG Miracle Centre - Teens Church THE WAY WE ARE, THE WAY WE WORSHIP

Let’s praise God our own way, that’s seems to be the reactions on the National children’s day celebration at one of the local churches within Onipanu community on the axis of Mushin local Government Area, Lagos Nigeria. The children’s day activities themed ‘JOYFUL NOISE’ caught the attention of Community Worshippers’ team as the children decided to worship their own style, by this style they decided to evangelized their pairs as they proceeded under the leadership of Pastor Tunji Oluga (a former choir leader) to Offin Community (a riverine area in Ikorodu an outskirt of Lagos State) to musically evangelise the community. It was indeed a Fun time and Worship moments as the children danced, worshiped and indeed won souls for Christ as they celebrate the national children’s day making a Joyful Noise to the Lord!

MID NITE CREW STORMS OGUDU COMMUNITY IN WORSHIP

Pastor Abdul and Pastor (Mrs) King on duty

The Crew with the Host Pastor of RCCG

The ever yearning crowd

In- Worship

Free flow of annointing

In the Spirit of David

Over flowing anointing during the worship session

Dancing in the Spirit

The Second annual youth convention of The Redeemed Christian Church of God Lagos Province 19 saw a week long activities ending with a bang from an international star group with lots of supporting bouts from upcoming artist ranging from Fuji star to R & B stars in the making. CW quickly before Midnite crew was called to duty had a brief chart with Pastor Abdul Gbenda a prominent vocalist in the group, and Sis Patricia King the lead vocalist for Midnite crew, here is the excerpt:

CW: We have had so much about you guys, how did it all started?

Pastor Gbenga Adbul: Midnight crew got started from Yaba College of Technology as students and members of original love choir group, I personally belief destiny found us.

CW: We can only see two of you here now of the regular four faces, hope the rumor about the group’s breakup is not true especially when your loudest seem to be Just IGWE?

Pastor Gbenga Adbul: Destiny found us like I said earlier, we are very much indivisible and that only two of us is here tonight was simply because God is increasing us Odunayo gave birth two weeks ago before this event and John’s wife just put to bed last week also, you they are not here because God is increasing the group. After the Igwe album we have also dropped the King of Nations with 14 tracks and series of singles from individual members of the group. We envisage rumor about the singles that people would think otherwise, midnight crew is still intact, we were in United States of America for 7 weeks tour, we went from there to another 6 weeks tour of South Africa. In a week’s time we are heading for Canada, all as a group MIDNITE CREW.

CW: From all indications you I mean the group now spends more time ministry out than home could financial gain be the essence?

Sis Patricia King: Our tour has nothing to do with financial pursuit or running away from home, it just a greater door God opened for us, we cannot leave home, when we are ministry nowadays, we do not make noise any more, but we focus on Christ, everything now is Him.

CW:  You always minster with so much strength passion and anointing why always this and we hope tonight will not be an exemption? And are you ministering with upcoming artist on stage with you, why?

Sis Patricia King: I have made up my mind to give God my best anytime I am on stage. Show casing upcoming artist in the group is just an opportunity to bring people with same great anointing to do God’s thing, we are not threatening or embarrassed by each other it is just an opportunity to praise God together.

CW- You all are upcoming how does it feels to be with midnight crew as a music trainee.

Monic

Midnight crew is my mentor, am always so grateful to share platform with my parent on stage for me they are my spiritual parent, to be part of a group who just celebrated their 10 years on stage is a great privilege, I am just about a year on stage (in music performing ministry) they lead the road for me and others coming up. They are highly anointed. My video would be out this October 1^st for ‘Oba gbogbo aye’ – Monic

Dori Dumah.

The atmosphere tonight was awesome, sharing platform with midnight crew on stage was great for me an upcoming I am under their tutorage, they gave birth to me and others, I am not likely to let go of the crew as they are great music minister I look up to – Dori Dumah.

Temitope Akanbi

 I am privileged to share platform with midnight crew tonight, Sister King is undoubtedly my mother in the ministry, I am grateful to God for her. For my works, I am presently working on my single but before December by God’s grace it should be out. Am learning first and enjoying the grace upon the ministry. I currently back-up in the group and with my brief stay of less three month before tonight’s event, I can boldly say midnight crew is superb! - Temitope Akanbi

CW: Why the topic ‘Praise Generation’ for tonight.

Richard: Looking at ‘Praise Generation’ was key to us because praise is the password to God Almighty’s heart, when we considered the praise team that could effectively lead this youthful generation into God’s presence with dynamics midnight crew ready comes to mind and for me personally it’s like reunion night as assignment has really separated the crew from me long time considering the fact that years past I was privilege to be close to this anointed praise crew, it wonderful tonight! People actually did not expect what happened tonight, all that was expected from the crew tonight was their usual Igweh hit trax but tonight was mind blowing when the crew got started indeed it was ‘what it’ with midnite crew tonight, praise God!

 

CW: Why the topic and midnight crew for this night’s event?

JOSHUA OBARO:        This is our annual youth convention last year’s team was unstoppable generation, since we wanted a great praise team that will usher us into God’s presence then our best choice to which we have no regret from what we saw God did tonight. We wanted a timely praise team to appreciate God this last one year for lots of testimonies He blessed us with.

CW:     What’s your goal for youth beyond tonight since you are present youth leader?

JOSHUA OBARO: Empowerment of youth is important, it’s our core, we want to help them to avoid distraction and stay focused.

CW:     We saw varieties in music ministration tonight, what was that for or has it got to do with your musical background that lot of people may not be aware of or why?

JOSHUA OBARO: Jesus is called a Lamb of God on one hand and on the contrary the Lion of Judah, our strength as youth is not in our similarities but in our differences. So bringing various music personnel together to the night of praise was deliberate mixture of all kinds of music that glorifies God.

CW:     Beyond your office at RCCG, what do you have for youth ministry?

JOSHUA OBARO: We have an NGO aimed at youth empowerment. Ignorance is a disease but where ignorance is combined with poverty then it is a chronic disease. Like I always say, when a young mind caught a vision without provision, it simply becomes a television. Empowerment to enable fulfillment is what the foundation is all about.

CW:     Does it ends here tonight?

JOSHUA OBARO: No! we called it praise generation, we expect it to continue for the next 365 days by the time we come together 2014, God would grant us lots of testimonies. I personally pray that they will not be distracted. Distractions are side attraction, yet unfortunately youths are easily distracted but I prophesy in the name of Jesus that as they continue this next 365 days in the praise atmosphere, God will keep them in Jesus name.