During the June Holy Ghost Service with the theme “Destined for Greatness (Part 2),” Pastor Enoch Adeboye shared a personal story about his early walk with God.
Speaking in the early hours of Saturday, June 7, at Redemption City, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) said God once warned him that his firstborn would die if he ever left the church.
Addressing the congregation, Adeboye, who is often called Daddy GO, said many young Christians today move from church to church and never settle. He expressed worry about this habit, saying it shows a lack of spiritual direction. He told them to find out where God wants them to be and stay there.
He said, “Discover where God wants you to stay, and stay there.”
Looking back on his early days as a Christian, Adeboye said there were three big ministries that were growing fast and looked attractive. He admitted he felt the pull to join one of them, but God gave him a firm instruction.
“There were three major ministries that were making waves, and they were very good. There were different temptations to go from one to another,” he said. “God spoke to me, in a very specific manner, ‘Son, I brought you here. This is where you will stay. The day you leave this denomination, your firstborn will die.’”
At the time, RCCG was a small and unknown church located in Ebute-Metta, Lagos. Despite this, he stayed because he believed God had placed him there for a reason. He also recalled how strange it felt when God told him to learn under a pastor who had no formal education.
“I was a lecturer in the university. My father in the Lord didn’t go to secondary school, not even primary. But God said this is where you will stay.”
Adeboye explained that his message was not to say RCCG is better than other churches. Rather, he said the point is for people to follow God’s direction for their lives. “I am not saying we are better than any other denomination,” he added.
He encouraged the youth especially to stop jumping from church to church and instead ask God where they should be planted. Once that place is clear, he said, it is important to stay and grow there, no matter how small or unpopular it seems at first.