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Redeemed Christian Church of God

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Redeemed Christian Church of God
AbbreviationRCCG
TypeChristianity
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationHoliness Pentecostal
ScriptureBible
TheologyEvangelical
GovernanceSynod
General OverseerEnoch Adejare Adeboye
RegionWorldwide, especially Nigeria
Headquarters
FounderJosiah Akindayomi
Origin1952
Lagos, Nigeria
Congregations51,580 (2021)
Members9,938,617 (2021)
Tertiary institutionsRedeemer's University
SeminariesRedeemed Christian Bible College
Official websitewww.rccg.org

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is a holiness pentecostal megachurch and denomination headquartered in Ebute Metta, Lagos, Nigeria. With presence in 197 countries and territories of the world and more than 5 million members in Nigeria alone, it is one of the biggest church denominations in the world with over 9 million members worldwide.[1][2]

After the founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi[3] died in the year 1980,[4] pastor E.A. Adeboye, a former university lecturer became its General Overseer in the year 1981.[1]

History

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The RCCG was founded in 1952 by Rev. Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi (1909–1980).[3]

Adeboye was a mathematics lecturer at the University of Lagos and had joined the church in 1973. Adeboye was initially a Yoruba-to-English interpreter for Akindayomi's sermons. He was ordained a pastor of the church in 1975. His appointment as the leader (styled 'General Overseer') of the church in 1981, was formalized by the posthumous reading of Akindayomi's sealed pronouncement. In 1990, the Redeemed Christian Church of God Bible School was founded.[5][6]

Andrew Rice, writing in The New York Times, calls the RCCG "one of [Africa's] most vigorously expansionary religious movements, a homegrown Pentecostal denomination that is crusading to become a global faith".[7] The church's mission statement states that "In every household, there will be at least one member of Redeemed Christian Church of God in the whole world."[7][8]

In 2008, the RCCG had more than 14,000 churches and five million members in Nigeria, and as at 2024, it is present in more than 190 countries.[9][10]

The international church is structured in different areas throughout the world.[11] The local churches are grouped into regions, with 59 regions currently in Nigeria after the 2024 Annual Convention of the church, held in August. It is also organised throughout most of the world. Notable special spiritual programs are the "Holy Ghost Service", which holds on the first Friday of every month in Nigeria. Others include the annual "Holy Ghost Convention" that holds in August and the "Holy Ghost Congress" which holds in December.

Beliefs

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The official RCCG website outlines its beliefs in the Bible and the Holy Trinity, that the devil exists, that God formed man in his image, in repentance, in cleansing from sins by God's grace, in sanctification, water baptism, Holy Spirit baptism, restitution and that God can heal without medicine (by His divine intervention e.g. through prayer).[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "RCCG – The Official Website Of The Redeemed Christian Church of God". Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  2. ^ "History and Growth of RCCG". Vanguard News. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Ruth Marshall, Political Spiritualities: The Pentecostal Revolution in Nigeria, University of Chicago Press, USA, 2009, page 74
  4. ^ Adeleke, Ogunewu, Michael (1909–1980). "Akindayomi, Josiah Olufemi". Dictionary of African Christian Biography. Retrieved 2024-09-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Laurent Fourchard, André Mary et René Otayek, Entreprises religieuses transnationales en Afrique de l'Ouest, Karthala Editions, France, 2005, page 343
  6. ^ "History and Growth of RCCG". Vanguard News. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Rice, Andrew (12 April 2009). "Mission from Africa". New York Times. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  8. ^ Rollins, Betty (8 January 2010). "Reverse Missionaries". PBS Religion & Ethics Newsweekly. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  9. ^ "Taking RCCG from 32 parishes to 200 nations is greatness". Vanguard News. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  10. ^ Stephen M. Cherry, Helen Rose Ebaugh, Global Religious Movements Across Borders: Sacred Service, Routledge, Abingdon-on-Thames, 2016, p. 35
  11. ^ Donald E. Miller, Kimon H. Sargeant, Richard Flory, Spirit and Power: The Growth and Global Impact of Pentecostalism, OUP USA, USA, 2013, page 190
  12. ^ cite web |url=https://www.rccg.org/our-beliefs/ |title=DIVINE HEALING(WITHOUT MEDICINE)
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