Reverend Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi, born into the family of Ogun worshippers, was later baptized into the Anglican Church. He started the Glory of God's Bible Society (Egbe Ogo Oluwa) in August 1952- after he left the C&S Church which, he observed had started to deviate from its original doctrines. The foundation members of the Bible Society, who started the journey with Pa Akindayomi and his wife, Rev. (Mrs) Esther Egbedire Akindayomi, were Pa Padonu, Pa Onashile, Pa Adefuwa, Pa Tobun,
Pa Olonade and Pa Ailbert.
The Bible Society transformed and became the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), a name divinely revealed in a vision to Pa Akindayomi by the Holy Spirit meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma in America the Holy Spirit used a foreign preacher to confirm to Pa Akindayomi God's earlier promise that RCCG would go to the end of the world.
Reverend Akindayomi initially attempted to affiliate the church to a European church, but the Lord directed otherwise. Another church that came from South Africa suggested that the church should be renamed Apostolic Faith Mission. But because the Federal Government of Nigeria severed relationships with South Africa just at that time (because of its apartheid policy), the South African church tried to link Pa Akindayomi and his church with a German church. But the young inexperienced Pastor sent by the German church was unable to accomplish the task of nurturing the affiliation, and was soon sent back home.
The birth of model parishes, Christ the Redeemers Friends Universal (CRFU), monthly Holy Ghost Services and the Holy Ghost Congress, brought in members of the elite class, and lead to an unprecedented explosion of membership. People's needs are met constantly: The word is strong, worship music is improving, and God confirms His word with signs and wonders.
Today the church has more than 20,000 parishes in Nigeria and viable presence in more than 140 other countries. The Holy Ghost Arena, which accommodates over 5 million worshippers at a sitting, is the largest church auditorium in the world.
Pastor Adeboye walks with God, and is respected throughout Africa and beyond. In a recent survey conducted by a reputable American magazine, he was named among the Top 50 most influential people in the world. It is instructive to note that only three persons of African descent made the Top list. In February 2011, the African Voices programme of CNN, the foremost international satellite television network, focused on Pastor Adeboye and The Redeemed Christian Church of God. As a good prophet with honour both at home and abroad, Pastor Adeboye again became the subject of focus in an edition of the Guardian, Nigeria's flagship newspaper, wherin he was described as one of the most respected men of integrity in Nigeria.
God blessed both the late Rev. Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi and his successor, Pastor E.A Adeboye, with a life of purpose
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