Posted by By Kazeem Ugbodaga & Adetutu Audu on
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has disclosed that his father was so poor that when he first bought an umbrella, the whole family celebrated.
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has disclosed that his father was so poor that when he first bought an umbrella, the whole family celebrated.
He disclosed this yesterday, at the 2009 annual thanksgiving service organised by the Lagos state government, at the State House, Ikeja. Adeboye told the story of his father to show the importance of praises in the life of a christian.
He said though his father was so poor that the family celebrated when he bought an umbrella, whenever his mother wanted to collect his school fees from his father, she began by praising him until his father would be so happy and part with whatever his mother wanted.
Adeboye said, like his father, when christians praise God, He would be moved to do great things in their lives. He identified several ways of praising God to include clapping hands, shouting, dancing, raising of hands, kneeling and prostrating.
The man of God said with any of these means, one could effectively praise God and obtain diverse favours from him. He, however, stated that sinners could not praise God unless they turned away from their wicked and evil ways through genuine repentance and accepting Christ as Lord and saviour.
Lagos state governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, in his speech, described Adeboye as a great man of God and a strategist, adding that in the past year, God had done so many things for the state.
Fashola commended Adeboye for the national honour he was given recently, saying it was a testimony to his honesty and service to the nation. 'His citation was not just his ministry alone, but his honesty,' he said, adding that Adeboye's honesty and transparency justified that.
'We are not corrupt people. 140 million of us are not corrupt. Adeboye is one of the millions that are not corrupt.'
The governor appealed that prayers should be offered for the nation and other parts of the world where conflict is raging. 'I implore that we pray that our disagreements end on the table of dialogue,' he stated.
Meanwhile, Pastor Adeboye has said that members of the church will have at least 14,000 babies this year. Speaking on Friday, at the first Holy Ghost Service for the year, Daddy G. O., as he's fondly called, told the congregation at the Redemption Camp that God told him this as part of the prophecies for the church in 2009.
He added that there is no point in doubting the prophecy because everything God had told him in the past have come to pass. The former university lecturer said just like stars at midnight, the economic gloom that is upon the world will produce some bright spots.
In other words, in spite of the economic problems in the world this year, some children of God will witness financial breakthroughs. Furthermore, he said every year has its ups and downs, and so 2009 will not be an exception. Adeboye, however, said for children of God, the ups will outweigh the downs in magnitude and in frequency.
The cleric said Nigerians should intensify prayers for president Umar Yar'Adua. The country, he said, will be given a new opportunity for peace, and Nigerians should pray that the opportunity is not wasted.
Adeboye also predicted that in 2009, Nigerians who have made money their god will discover it has wings. Problems will drive many back to God, with the end result of heavenly joy. He also called for prayers against suicide among the high and mighty.
The pastor said prayers are needed to reduce the frequency and intensity of natural disasters like flood, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes, which are coming. He urged Nigerians to pray against assassination of world leaders.