Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye has doused speculations over his success plan as he has made it clear that God has not revealed his successor yet.
There have been several variants of speculations about the likely successor to the respected cleric, but Adeboye who turned 76 in March made it clear that he is not retiring yet.
Speaking at the annual Redeemed Christian Church of God ministers’ conference which ended on Sunday at the Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun State, he said that while people have bandied some names as the chosen for for the headship of the church, which made astronomical growth under his watch, none of such names came from him.
He said, “God has not told me about any successor at all, whether you believe it or not. Elijah knew before Elisha knew that he would succeed him, Moses also knew that Joshua would succeed him and likewise Eli knew before Samuel and not the other way round and therefore, God will tell me first before any other person about who will become my successor as a general overseer.”
Continuing Pastor Adeboye said, “So, those of you who are carrying rumor of who would be my successor or claiming to be the one that God had chosen should desist from such activities as God had not shown me anybody yet.
“Some even said I would hand over to Bishop David Oyedepo, some said to Pastor Joe Olaiya because the two are very close to me that they do minister during our major events such as the conventions, Holy Ghost congresses and yet another quarter said one of my sons is the one succeeding me.
“But I would advise you to always check sources of your information before believing such information and also to focus on whatever you are doing rather than spreading rumor.”
Adding humorous bent, the renowned cleric said he is not envious of his successor, adding that this person would have to make a lot of sacrifices.
Reportedly, he knew he was going to become the G.O about five years before it actually happened. According to several sources, Adeboye got two divine revelations, five years and one year before the appointment.
Unknown to Adeboye, Pa Akindayomi had already known that he was going to be his successor before he even became an RCCG member. He had received a divine revelation in the early 70s that his successor would be “a young educated man”.
It all came to pass after the RCCG founder’s death November 2, 1980. Pastor Adeboye succeeded on January 21, 1981. He was only 38 years at the time of the appointment.
Explaining, he said, “Because I know how many hours I pray a day and I can count how many days I eat in a year too. So, whoever that will take over from me, such person will have to surpass me and God will have mercy on the person.”
He also made it clear that he is not retiring any time soon revealing that he has an arrangement with God concerning his retirement.
In his words, “So, let me say it loud and clear again that God has not told me who my successor is. What God had told me several years ago was that He would tell me who my successor would be at least five years before I would be called home and as at this now, He had not told me anything as regards that, which means He is not ready to call me home in the next five years.”
Prior to becoming the G.O of one of the most popular churches in Nigeria, the cleric was a Maths lecturer at the University of Lagos (Unilag).
Things changed when he crossed parts with Pa Josiah Akindayomi (1909–1980), who founded RCCG in 1952.
Upon joining the church, he acted as the interpreter for Akindayomi, translating his sermons from Yoruba into English. Eventually, he started organizing Bible Study meetings, Crusades, Revivals, Outreaches, and evangelistic meetings.
