Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has shared a deeply personal and life-threatening experience that nearly claimed his life seven years ago, as he recounted during the ongoing Special Holy Ghost Service.
The revered cleric, who marked his 83rd birthday on Sunday, took the opportunity to express his heartfelt gratitude for God’s divine intervention in his life. He recounted the harrowing experience as a testament to God’s grace and faithfulness in sustaining him throughout his ministry.
Pastor Adeboye revealed that the incident occurred while he was actively participating in the church’s Let’s-Go-A-Fishing evangelism outreach, a program dedicated to spreading the gospel and winning souls for Christ. However, due to the harsh road conditions and demanding nature of the journey, his health deteriorated rapidly, leaving him in a critical state.
His condition worsened so severely that he found himself confined to bed on Christmas Day—a situation he described as unprecedented in his life. According to the pastor, he had never before experienced such a health crisis that rendered him completely immobile on such a significant day.
As his situation became increasingly dire, Pastor Adeboye collapsed in Ilesha, making it impossible for him to continue his travels by road. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, his team had to arrange for an emergency airlift to transport him to the church camp, as they feared that any further delay could prove fatal.
“Seven years ago, during this same program, I collapsed in Ilesha. My body simply gave way, and for the first time in my entire life, I spent Christmas Day in bed. The devil must have thought he had finally succeeded in taking me down,” he recounted.
“To bring me back to camp, we had to charter a helicopter because I was too weak to travel by road. The truth is, if I had attempted to make the journey by land, I would not have survived,” he added.
However, just as the helicopter was about to take off, an unexpected obstacle arose. Some local miscreants, seemingly unaware of the gravity of the situation, attempted to interfere with the rescue operation. In the process, they damaged one of the helicopter’s windows, creating an additional challenge in an already tense and critical moment.
Despite these disruptions, by the grace of God, Pastor Adeboye successfully made it to the camp, where he experienced what he described as a miraculous recovery. His unwavering faith reassured him that once he arrived at the church camp, healing was inevitable.
“They clung to the helicopter, and in the process, one of the windows got torn. But by God’s grace, I made it to the camp. Deep down, I knew that if I could just reach the camp, I would recover,” he shared with the congregation.
Reflecting on this experience, Pastor Adeboye urged the congregation to join him in thanking God for preserving his life. He emphasized that the mere fact that he was still standing strong, seven years after the ordeal, was a testament to divine mercy and favor.
“Seven years later, I am still here! Please, praise God for me—give Him all the glory, honor, and adoration!” he proclaimed.
In addition to sharing his testimony, Pastor Adeboye took the opportunity to impart a powerful message to his listeners, cautioning them against living a double life. He implored members of the church to remain steadfast in their faith, ensuring that their actions align with their beliefs, both inside and outside the church.
“This is my advice to you: do not sell your salvation,” he warned. “Stop living a double life—one way in church and another way outside. Be consistent in your faith, and let your lifestyle reflect your commitment to Christ at all times.”
The four-day Special Holy Ghost Service, which commemorates its 39th anniversary, has continued to draw millions of worshippers from different parts of the world, with testimonies of divine intervention and transformation emerging from attendees.
Pastor Adeboye, who was born on March 2, 1942, in Ifewara, Osun State, joined RCCG in 1973, initially serving as an interpreter for the church’s founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi.
Following the passing of Pa Akindayomi in 1981, Pastor Adeboye was divinely chosen to succeed him as the General Overseer. Under his leadership, RCCG has grown exponentially, expanding its reach across continents and establishing itself as one of the most influential Christian ministries globally.