RCCG ordains 5,000 pastors

DAY 2: RCCG convention

By SAM EYOBOKA & OLAYINKA LATONA

WITH a simple proclamation: “I ordain you in the name of God the Father, and of Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit.

Whatever you bind on earth willbe bound in Heaven….” a total of 2,654 members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, were yesterday adopted into the club of assistant pastors in the church.

Before their ordination the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye gave reasons why he would not be able to personally lay hands on the candidates, saying that itwas impossible for him to lay hands on them all because of the huge number.

Cross section of newly ordained Assistant Pastorsat the 60th Annual Convention of Redeemed Christian Church of God at Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Photos: Lamidi Bamidele
“In the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the ordination into the office of assistant pastor is done by pouring anointing oil, lying of hands and the proclamation, but because of the number it will be impossible for the General Overseer to lay hands on all of you. So, the ministers of God will do the anointing and as they do that their hands would be laid and I will come up to make the proclamation,” he said.

The humbling ceremony took place at the Holy Ghost Arena, while the mass choir sang and played solemn music in line withthe mood of the occasion and after which the G.O. came to make the proclamation to welcome them to the exalted position of assistant pastors.
At the end of the ordination, those ordained took time off toentertain friends and relations with food and drinks while taking photographs to mark the milestone occasion.

Preaching a short sermon titled;“Greater Anointing”, Pastor JoeOlaiya admonished the new assistant pastors to regard their new assignment as a call to duty and not an opportunity to do otherwise.

Number of babies rises to 17 babies
THE number of babies born during the ongoing 60th annual convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, at the Redemption Camp along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has risen to 17.

The convention which opened on Monday has as its theme “Come up higher” has witnessed an outpouring of babies some of whom came on the very firstday of the spiritual fiesta. This isin fulfillment of Pastor Adeboye’s dream of 70,000 babies to mark his 70th birthday anniversary.
According to the records at the Redemption Maternity, additional 12 babies were delivered after the Vanguard crew left the maternity, Monday, thereby bringing the number to 17. Out of the 12 babies delivered yesterday, seven are girls while the other five are boys. The babies and their mothers are in great health.

Our reporters spoke to some ofthe mothers who were in very high spirit, jubilating to be counted among the mothers during this year’s convention.
Mrs Ireti Taiwo, member of Four Square Gospel Church
“I have a baby girl here in Redemed Christian Church of God because I believe that they have the best maternity home. My testimony is that I was tested positive to HIV but when Igot the report I rejected it because I only believe God’s report. I proceeded to another hospital where I was tested negative. I can boldly proclaim that God of Pastor Adeboye never fails.

Mrs. Abimbola Antiabong of Living Faith Church.
“God has blessed me with a wonderful baby boy and I am blessed and privileged to have a convention baby. I choose RCCG maternity because of the spirituality attached to their treatment.”

Mrs. Folashade Opabiyi
“ I have been praying that my baby should be among the 70,000 babies that God promised daddy Adeboye as hisbirthday gift and this has come to pass today.”

Mrs. Ogundolu Adesuwa
“ I did not plan to have my baby at the camp but I came to have the convention experience.Here I am with my baby girl.”

BRIEFLY
AT the time of this report, participants at the convention, which is swelling by the day, were trooping to the Arena for the Welcome Service and the first plenary session scheduled for 8.30 p.m. There will be graduation of Bible College students this morning.

Scarcity of water
Many of the participants, yesterday, complained of scarcity of pipe borne water, asmany of them were seen takingwater from muddy flowing canal water in the camp. Authorities of the church had warned against such acts but because of the scarcity they are left with no choice than to makedo with every water available.

Electricity
Power has remained constant inthe camp except for a few moments black out. It will be recalled that the Redemption Camp has its own power generating system which is very efficient.