Pastor Sunday Akande takes over as RCCG national overseer

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has announced some changes in the leadership of the church.
This follows the retirement of some familiar faces.

Various sources, who confirmed the changes announced at the end of the church’s ministers’ conference on Sunday, said a formal announcement of the full list would be made available by the administration department of the church.

Usually, the conference is not broadcast or covered by journalists.

Among the announcements made was the retirement of Pastor Joseph Obayemi, RCCG national overseer, and some other pastors who are over 70 years old.

Adeboye was said to have explained that the retirement age for all RCCG pastors will now be pegged at 70, but some of those on retirement could be given lesser roles.

A source said the general overseer is under “clear instruction (from God)” to inject younger persons into the leadership of the church.

Pastor Sunday Akande is to replace 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.

Also affected by the leadership change is Pastor Johnson Odesola, who was in charge of administration and personnel of the church.

His twin portfolios will now be taken over by the duo of Julius Olalekan, who will be in charge of personnel, and Pastor Dele Balogun, who will take charge of administration.

An elder of the church described Dele Balogun and Julius Olalekan as “vibrant and dynamic pastors both born in 1968″.

“Pastor Balogun, for example, was a professor at Olabisi Onabanjo University, who has dropped his academic titles to serve the Lord,” the elder added.

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.

As part of the changes, he also said the Redemption Camp will henceforth carry the tag of a city, just like the Vatican City, while the ring road in the camp, named after the founder of the church, Pastor Josiah Akindayomi. Some other roads were named after some retired pastors of the church.