GOOD SHEPHERDS PASTURE (RCCG) AT 25

By Olusegun Adeniyi

It’s almost like yesterday when Ireno Yonwuren, Funmi (Obaweya) Otubanjo, Olapeju (Jikiemi) Falowo, myself and a few others in the ‘Watchmen’ (prayer) group were dispersed from the then Apapa Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Iganmu, Lagos to the Good Shepherds Pasture (GSP) – a new parish of no fixed address; and with a Pastor we were meeting for the first time! (I hope Pastor Tony Rapu, currently the Senior Pasture at This Present House, will soon write his memoir so that some of us can understand what transpired in the weeks leading to the exodus from ‘Freedom Hall’ from where five new parishes were birthed on the same day).

However, as GSP marks its 25th anniversary today, it is appropriate to reflect on an incredible journey marked by the faithfulness of God in our lives this past quarter of a century. I must first thank God for Pastor Niyi Ajibola and his wife, Feyitola whose exemplary lives have helped to turn the GSP into One Big Family for thousands of people now scattered in several countries across the world. Credit must also go to our dear daddy, Pastor Wilson Ifie who took the baton from Pastor Niyi in 2006 and built on the foundation already laid before he also handed to Pastor Doyin Jibodu, following his retirement.

At GSP, I started out as an Usher under Pastor Kayode Alaka before Brother Biola Adetunji took over as head of the department. The temperament of the two were quite different. Pastor Kayode was a no-nonsense head usher. Brother Biola was more an introvert. Meanwhile, with the latter, every discussion must begin with, “Let’s open the Bible to…” That was how he earned the nickname, ‘The scriptures cannot be broken,’ which happened to be his favourite Biblical passage. I eventually became the head usher before I was posted to the Teens Department, following the relocation to Port Harcourt of Pastor Lanre Ajanaku who would later move to Canada with his family.

At 234 Herbert Macauley Street, (Alagomeji) Yaba which now boasts of a magnificent edifice, we had an exciting time and I saw my role with the teenagers basically as that of a mentor. In the process, we conceived the idea of an annual conference, essentially to bring accomplished people within the society to fire the imagination of our teenagers. In the first edition in 2004, we invited the late Prof. Dora Akunyili who was then the high-flying NAFDAC Director General and Pastor Sam Adeyemi as our speakers. In the second edition in 2005, we succeeded in bringing Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the lead speaker. She was at that period the Minister of Finance. In 2006, the lead speaker was the then Education Minister, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili.

Although I moved to Abuja at the end of May 2007, such was the bond created that I am still in touch with many of those teenagers of yesterday who have become successful men and women in their own rights. Some have also, at different times, spent holidays with my family in Abuja and I have attended a few marriages. But the most memorable experience at GSP happened in 2002 at a period I was the Head Usher.

Shortly before she got married, the beautiful woman formerly known as Rounke Ajayi was a young usher close to me. One day, as she prepared for her wedding, she said she would bring her fiancée for a night vigil in our house. On the appointed day, Rounke came with the young man, and we had what I remember as a spirit-lifting vigil, praying for their proposed union. In the morning, as we were about to share the benediction, Rounke asked me, “Bro Segun, do you know my fiancee?”
I couldn’t understand the question given that she had only introduced him to me for the first time the night before, or at least so I thought. What Rounke said next was even more shocking: “Well, God must have told you I will find my husband through you, and you probably then imagined that you could help God.”

Then she explained!
Because I admired Rounke and saw in her all the qualities any man would look for in a wife, I invited my friend and brother, Louis Odion to our church. Louis was then my deputy at THISDAY and I felt it was time he got married. Louis was also the Best Man at my wedding. Having told him so much about Rounke, Louis became a member of our church. But despite making moves to woo her, the relationship didn’t work out and they both went their separate ways.

Now, sometimes in 2002 when my family was about to move to our own apartment in Abraham Adesanya Millennium Estate, Ajah, from Abesan Estate, Ipaja, we decided to hold a prayer night vigil. I asked Chuks Omeife, a friend who also happened to be one of the ushers, to get me anybody who would lead praise worship session and could also play instrument for the vigil. Chuks delivered on the assignment. But since there was no light that night and I had not bought a generator, we relied on candles for illumination. The young man who led the praise worship that night happened to be Tunde Babalola. And that was how she (Rounke) met the man who would later be her husband in my house!

It is instructive that GSP marks its 25th anniversary on the 23rd anniversary of my wedding. That is another interesting story of its own. With many members trapped in the traffic chaos occasioned by ‘Lekki 98’, the first Holy Ghost Congress of RCCG which drew an unprecedented crowd, only Ireno and Oti Yonweren made it to my wedding on 19th December 1998. The whole church was compelled by Pastor Niyi to tender apology to me and my wife on the Sunday that followed!
Looking back, I have fond memories of GSP and I congratulate the Pastorate and members (old and new) as we mark the 25th anniversary. On a day such as this, it is also appropriate to appreciate Pastors Emeka Obiagwu, Gbenga Olanlokun, Daniel Udom, Richard Olubameru, Nkoyo Egbedi, Joe Emeribe, Demola Adegboyega, Dayo Kayode, Folake Fajemisin, Leke Kelani, Femi Adedeji, Biodun (Sadiku) Adebowale, Ben Muka, Adeola Fadase, Sunday Ukabam, Fred Okuagba and several others who were brothers and sisters indeed to some of us in those days of small beginnings.
It is my prayer that the Parish will not only grow but will also continue to fulfill its mandate in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Adeniyi is Chairman, THISDAY Editorial Board