It is an established fact that whatever is learnt via pictures stick better than what is read or learnt orally. It is on this premise that I attempt to make a visual biography of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye right from his childhood till now. Please relax and enjoy this interesting story .
His father’s name was “Mr Moses Adeboye”. He hails from the ancient city of ‘Ile-Ife’ in the western part of Nigeria. He left there to settle in ‘Ifewara”. Due to farming and drumming, he left “Ifewara” to “ilesha” where he met his wife, Mrs Esther Adeboye
After marriage, both of them settled in “Ifewara”. The marriage was plagued with high child mortality, hence, the mother resolved that she will not give birth to any other child again. After sometime, the mother took in and on the 2nd Of March, 1942, a child was born. He was named “Enoch Adejare”
After his birth, the mother uttered a word of prophecy over his life saying “If he calls for one, two hundred will answer”
He grew up and attended the Anglican grammar school called “St Stephen School, Ifewara”, and he was a very brilliant student.
One day after returning from school, he wanted to go to a distant farm. After trekking quite a distance, he missed his way and started crying. Behold! A white dog appeared to him from nowhere and it led him home.
After his primary education, he proceeded to his secondary education in “Ilesha Grammar school”. It was difficult for him to get his school fees paid. Hence, his persistence and determination made the parent to do everything possible for him to go to school
Then the unimaginable happened to him in his third year of secondary School education. While he was writing one of his exams, his father died. He cried bitterly and wished his father stays longer so that he could enjoy the fruit of his labour.
His school principal, “Reverend Akinyemi” took him home to see his father. Hence, he brought him back to school that same day due to his ongoing examination.
After the death of his father, it was impossible for him to foot his bills. Hence, the school principal went to the Local missionary Society to obtain school loans. He is to pay this loans as soon as he starts working.
His love for music made him join The Anglican Church quite early.
He has bagged so many prizes in the school. But on a particular prize giving ceremony, he was mandated to be on shoes and trousers. But he never had any, then, he resolved to borrowing an oversized shoes and trousers.
After his secondary school education, he taught in “Okeigbo Grammar School”. He taught mathematics in the school, where he was popularly called “Pythagoras theorem”
Furthermore, he got admission to “University of Nigeria, Nsukka”. However, his University education was truncated by the Nigeria Civil war.
He was able to escape the war through a local sailing boat. After some time, he got admission in the “University of Ife” which is now known as ” Obafemi Awolowo University”.
After his University education, he returned to “Okeigbo” to continue his teaching career as a mathematics teacher.
After some time, he started thinking of getting someone to marry. He was the choice of any young lady. Thus, on one of his birthday celebration, he got several gifts. But one of the gifts attracted him, which was a white Bible.
This gift was presented by “Miss Foluke Adeyokuno” who was also a teacher and a Sunday school superintendent in the United missionary college in “Ibadan” . They got married in 1967. Soon after that, he attempted doing his master’s abroad but was unsuccessful even after passing the required examinations.
Then he resolved to doing his masters degree and PhD from the University of Lagos. Soon he got a lecturing job from the same University with a good accommodation for the family.
His ambition was to be the youngest Vice chancellor in the whole of West Africa.
However, he seems to be bothered about protection from death, accidents and demonic oppression. Hence, he resolved to buying a goat to a native doctor to get a charm for protection.
However, he had an accident a week later, he was involved in a car crash. This was so devastating for him. His problem became extremely compounded when his daughter fell sick and all local medications failed.
Furthermore, his relative “Reverend Chris Fajinimokun” invited him to church, assuring him that the daughter will get well after being prayed for. Hence, they went to the church which is The Redeemed Christian Church of God. This church was founded by “Late Pa Akindayomi” , unknowingly the Adeboye’s that this was a step into destiny.
(This is Reverend Chris Fajinimokun)
(This is Late PA Akindayomi)
The founder of the church often speaks of who is to take over from him. He was in the similitude of the biblical John the Baptist. As soon as Pastor Enoch came in, he was happy and he knew that his successor was around.
In 1975, he became an interpreter for “Late Pa Akindayomi”. They travelled far and wide together. Thus, they were very close. And before he died, he stay for approximately a month with the Adeboye’s family.
While Pastor Enoch was in the village, he heard the voice telling him clearly that he is to succeed the “Late Pa Akindayomi”. It was never a pleasant one, he tried to pray it away but couldn’t prevail.
In 1977, he was ordained a pastor, hence, the stage was set for a change of baton.
Taking over the baton was never an easy one. First, it was fought against by the Senior colleagues in the church. Taking for instance, he started the church in 1973, and became an Overseer in 1981.
Secondly, he left his mansion in the university and move to a boys-quarter in Mushin, Lagos.
Furthermore, the resources from the church was never enough to pay the full time Pastors. So, it was a hard time for him. One day, he prayed to the Lord for a house and God promised him not just a house but amansion.
The well known Pastor has experienced and still experiencing blessings of all kinds. The pictures below are a summary of how he went from one level in ministry to another.
He has four children whose names are: Adeolu, Bolu, Leke and Dare Adeboye.
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