RCCG pastors to retire at 70 as church restructures leadership

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has said that pastors in the church will be retiring at the age of 70.

The RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who announced some changes in the leadership of the church, disclosed this at the end of the church’s ministers’ conference on Sunday.

Sources familiar with the changes disclosed that a formal announcement would be made available by the RCCG administration department on the new leadership structure of the church.

Although there was no media presence at the event, sources confirmed the retirement of the RCCG National Overseer, Pastor Joseph Obayemi, and some other pastors who are over 70 years old.

According to Adeboye, some retired pastors can be assigned lesser roles responsibilities.

A source said the General Overseer was under “clear instruction (from God)” to inject younger persons into the leadership of the church.

Pastor Sunday Akande will take over from Pastor Obayemi as the RCCG National Overseer, while Pastor Kalu Ndukwe will serve as the overseer of the African continent.

The position of National Overseer of the church will now be on a two-year tenure basis, while the pastor occupying the position will operate from the Redemption Camp.

All churches in the camp would henceforth report to Pastor Akande, who will also represent Pastor Adeboye on special assignments.

The recent changes also affected Pastor Johnson Odesola who was in charge of administration and personnel of the church.

In his place, pastors Julius Olalekan and Dele Balogun will serve in charge of personnel and charge of administration, respectively.

Pastor Adeboye added that although God has not revealed the next General Overseer to him, he has the confirmation that the person would be young.

He said the Redemption Camp will henceforth carry the tag of a city similar to Vatican City, while the ring road in the camp, was named after the founder of the church, Pastor Josiah Akindayomi.

The revered cleric noted that the City was clearly one of the miracles of the church, which would continue to spread worldwide.

The Star

Aminu Adamu Naganye