Part 2
Felix Adogbeji and Daniel Breakforth
- Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Bishop David Oyedepo: The Spirit of Wisdom, Grace for expansion and spirit of humility.
Pastor E.A Adeboye is a man full of the Spirit of Wisdom which is practically seen in his life and Ministry. Though not the RCCG founder, he brought the Redeemed Christian Church of God into limelight, indescribable growth and global recognition.
The journey of Bishop Oyedepo with Daddy G.O as fondly called by many began in 1983. As said by the Bishop, he was having a deep fellowship with the Holy Spirit on one evening in July 1983 and God spoke to him ‘I will not have you go (into ministry) like others have gone. I will have hands laid on you so you can be filled with the Spirit of Wisdom’. Then he asked, whose hands will you have laid on me? And God replied ‘Send for my servant, Adeboye, and I will have him lay hands on you and you shall be filled with the Spirit of wisdom’.
Deuteronomy 34:9
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him…
Prior to this, the Bishop had never met Daddy G.O though he had heard of him. The relationship between both of them was divinely orchestrated by God. No wonder we see both commanding great results. Daddy G.O commissioned Bishop Oyedepo into the Ministry and eventually laid hands on him as instructed by God. We can all testify that the wisdom of God upon Daddy G.O is truly evidenced upon the life of Bishop Oyedepo.
At a time during the construction of the Faith Tabernacle, it got to a point where they needed to move a forklift, a four-wheeled industrial machine into the Tabernacle. But they could not, because the forklift was higher than the height of the Tabernacle’s entrances. They thought about it and decided that they would break the upper part of the entrance so that the forklift can drive in easily. They went ahead to seek permission from Bishop David Oyedepo. But to their amazement, he asked them what the size of the tyres were. And when they told him, he suggested that they should deflate the four tyres, tow the forklift inside the Tabernacle, then pump it. He said it would be far easier to pump a tyre than to remould the entrance. That was raw wisdom on display. No wonder presidents of nations and government officials always seek counsel from him. It takes divine wisdom to head a Church of over 22,000 branches, 2 world-class universities, a publishing house among others.
b) The grace for expansion.
The grace for expansion upon Pastor E.A. Adeboye has rubbed off on Bishop Oyedepo. Pastor E.A Adeboye who inherited 39 parishes when he became General Overseer has seen a growth to over 40,000 parishes in 196 countries and domains. This result is similar to that of Bishop Oyedepo led Living Faith Church with over 22,000 branches in 146 countries.
The World is in awe of the Redemption City with a landmass of well over 45,000 acres. This is from 4 acres of land when initially bought in 1983 to over 45,000 acres with several churches and auditoriums including the flagship, a 3km by 3km auditorium which can seat not less than 9 million people. The Redemption City has uninterrupted power supply. This feat is also similar to that of Living Faith Church which grew from an initial 530 acres of land to over 17,000 acres of land housing the 50,000 Seater Auditorium ‘The Faith Tabernacle’ and the soon to be completed 109,000 Seater Auditorium ‘The Ark’ which is slated to be dedicated on 29th November, 2025. It is also a known fact that there is uninterrupted power supply in Canaanland.
Like Bishop David Oyedepo said during the laying of the foundation of the Faith Tabernacle, “we are not in a competition, we are in a Commission – (the Great Commission).” Bishop once said, “do what I do, you will get the same result. Do more than I do, you will get more than I get.” Following the steps of giants makes one a giant. Indeed, following Pastor E.A Adeboye has brought a positive impact in the life of Bishop David Oyedepo.
c) The Spirit of Humility: It is a known and established fact that Pastor E.A. Adeboye is a man of great humility. There is an aura of humility around him and this aura has rubbed off on Bishop Oyedepo. Despite their global status, they are still down to earth. Anytime Daddy Adeboye and Bishop Oyedepo are in a service today, Daddy Adeboye will always humorously say, the Bishop is here and what does a Pastor have to say when the Bishop is here. This is not just a mere statement but an expression of the spirit of humility in him. When Bishop Oyedepo was to purchase an aircraft, he had to seek for counsel from his revered mentor, Kenneth Copeland who told him not to and he obliged the counsel. This is a man who pastors one of the fastest growing Pentecostal Churches in the World but he took the counsel of his mentor. This is simply a testament of the spirit of humility at work in his life.
One striking thing about the Bishop is that no matter who is preaching, he always takes note. During one of the Church Growth Conferences organized by him, while introducing a minister, he commented saying that he was heavily blessed by the ministration of the preceding preacher, Pastor Paul Enenche. That it was as if he was speaking directly to him with the message he preached. This is a man with depth of revelation making such a comment. Bishop Oyedepo calls Pastor Adeboye ‘Father’ toll today.
No wonder, Pastor Adeboye once called Bishop Oyedepo ‘the Rolls Royce of Bishops’.
