Encomium
The renowned General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye clocked 73 on Monday, March 2, 2015, and expectedly, his family, friends and the entire church marked the epoch with different activities all through the week.
The celebrations kicked off with Solemn Assembly, between Monday, March 2, 2015 and Wednesday, March 5, 2015, at the Arena, located in the Redemption camp, Mowe, Ogun State. Solemn Assembly is the service session when Daddy G.O, as he is fondly called by many, has a close discussion with his pastors and ministers in a very relaxed atmosphere. At the assembly, he usually shares his intimate experience with everyone in attendance, which includes all the special assistants, regional pastors (home and abroad), national secretaries, regional evangelists, provincial pastors and all others top officials in the church.
Concurrently, the youth of the church under the umbrella of National Youth Affairs, staged a 73-hour non-stop praise and worship programme for Pastor Adeboye, which is the second activity for the celebration. The praise programme tagged, 73-Hours Marathon Messiah’s Praise started the same day with the Solemn Assembly, on Monday, March 2, 2015, by 2.00 pm and ended at 3.00 pm on Thursday, March 5, 2015. The marathon praise featured many artistes led by Evang. Ebenezer Obey and the national Praise Team of the Redeemed Church.
The celebrations continued with the third programme, the Special Holy Ghost Service. The service started with an holy communion on Thursday, March 5, 2015. The theme for the service was ‘In Christ Alone’. Pastor Adeboye ministered along other pastors at the communion service.
The peak of the 73rd birthday celebrations of Daddy G.O was on Friday, March 6, 2015, which is the main Holy Ghost service. The service kicked off at 6.00pm, when Pastor (Mrs.) Adetayo Oretola led the opening prayer, followed by soul-lifting worship from the National Praise Team led by Pastor Raphael.
At 8.00 pm, Rev. Joe Olaiya, the General Overseer of Living Faith Foundation gave the first sermon. Shortly after that, Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, the wife of the Daddy G.O, led the prayer for Nigeria. Her prayers focused on willingness and obedience to eat the good of the land (Nigeria) by allowing the will of God to prevail.
At 10.49 pm, Pastor Adeboye, the celebrant started his ministration by praising the Almighty God for being alive. He also appreciated everyone who had sent him gifts which he said he would like them to convert to cash in the coming years to enable him carry out mission work.
Daddy G.O narrated the history of the Holy Ghost Service which started in 1986:
“I was in London preparing for the annual Sunday school lessons when the Lord asked me that what would you want for your birthday present?” In earnest, he answered God to “please bless all my spiritual children”. Then God asked him to bring all his spiritual children together and He (God himself) will bless them. He did as God told him.
Then, after the first meeting in March 1986, some members approached him that they would like to have it again every year, which he said he would ask God again. He did and God allowed him to organize once in a year. The annual Holy Ghost gained a lot of momentum, and the congregation also requested to make it a monthly service. In his usual self, he went back to God, and God gave him His approval.
Looking back to what God has done over the past 29 years of the Holy Ghost Service which is always in commemoration of his birthday, Daddy G.O again fulfilled the purpose of the service by blessing everyone before he started his message. He offered his prayers both in English and Yoruba eloquently.
He mentioned that the number of babies born on the camp ground since the beginning of the special celebration till 8.00 pm on Friday, March 6 2015, stood at 18, with 12 boys and 6 girls.
During the service, one of his bosom friends, Prof. Fola Aboaba testified to how he survived sickness described by doctors as total breakdown of his system. Having lost 14 kg and usually feeling weak, all the tests conducted in Nigeria proved he is experiencing a total breakdown of body system. He was then referred to visit a consultant in London. At the London hospital, he did several tests which tallied with what he had in Nigeria.
“Everyone became so worried including Daddy G.O and Mummy G.O. Mummy sent me some fruits and Daddy keep calling me every day and praying for me”, Prof. Aboaba said. According to the professor of Agricultural Engineering, he had a dream where he saw Daddy G.O called into a white car and prayed for him while he (Prof. Aboaba) was resting on his lap.
On the last count, “I went for the final test with the main consultant in London. After the final test, the doctor looked at me consciously and said, ‘Only God can do this’, because by that time, everything had returned to normal”, he concluded.
Prof. Fola Aboaba, 82 years old, is a pastor and a member of the board of trustees of the Redeemed Church.
The 73rd birthday celebrations of Pastor E. A. Adeboye comes to conclusion with an anointing service on Saturday, March 7, 2015, and a thanksgiving service on Sunday, March 8, 2015.
-JOSHUA SHOBIYE
