Enoch Adeboye

{{Short description|Nigerian Pastor (born 1942)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| office              = 2nd [[Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria|President of PFN]]
| term_start          = 1992
| term_end            = 1995
| predecessor         = [[James Boyejo]]
| successor           = [[Benson Idahosa]]
| honorific_prefix    = [[Pastor]]
| name                = Enoch Adeboye
| image               = Eaa1.jpg
| alt                 = Enoch Adeboye
| caption             = 
| birth_name          = Enoch Adejare Adeboye
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1942|03|02|df=y}}
| birth_place         = Ifewara, Southern Region, [[British Nigeria]] (now Ifewara, [[Osun State, Nigeria]])
| other_names         = 
| occupation          = Pastor
| nationality         = [[Nigerian]]
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Foluke Adeboye|Foluke Adeyokunnu]]|1967}}
| preceding           = [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]]
}}

'''Enoch Adejare Adeboye''' (born 2 March 1942) is a [[Nigerians|Nigerian]] [[pastor]], and the present General Overseer of [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]]. He served as the second national president of the [[Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria]].

==Early life==
Enoch Adejare Adeboye was born on 2 March 1942 in Ifewara, near [[Ife]], in the then Southern Region, [[British Nigeria]].<ref name=":0">Christine Chisha, [http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/pastor-enock-adeboye-trademark-humility/ Pastor Enoch Adeboye: Trademark of humility], daily-mail.co.zm, Zambia, 16 November 2014</ref> He was born into a very humble family,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eaadeboye.com/|title=The Official Website of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye {{!}} Enoch Adeboye|last=EAA|website=The Official Website of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref> and often tells the story of wearing his first shoes at the age of 18.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Arogbonlo |first1=Israel |title=I had no shoes for 18 years, says Adeboye |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/i-had-no-shoes-for-18-years-says-adeboye/ |website=Tribune Online |access-date=19 February 2024 |date=25 December 2022}}</ref>

== Education ==
Enoch Adejare Adeboye started his education at [[Ilesa East|Ilesha]] Grammar School Ilesha [[Osun State]] in 1956.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Pst. E.A. Adeboye – RUSSIAN|url=http://www.rccgrussia.org/en/about-pst-e-a-adeboye/|access-date=2021-01-27|language=en-US|archive-date=1 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201034950/http://www.rccgrussia.org/en/about-pst-e-a-adeboye/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Enoch Adejare Adeboye then proceeded to the [[University of Nigeria, Nsukka|University of Nigeria]] Nsukka (UNN) in [[Nsukka]], but because of the [[Nigerian Civil War|Nigeria Civil War]], he completed his first degree in the [[University of Ife]] (now Obafemi Awolowo University), graduating with a [[Bachelor's degree]] in [[Mathematics]] in 1967.<ref>Vanguardngr, [https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/76-garlands-adeboye/ 76 Garlands for Adeboye], vanguardngr.com, Nigeria, 2 March 2018</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eaadeboye.com/|title=The Official Website of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye|website=The Official Website of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye|accessdate=8 May 2023}}</ref>

In 1969, he obtained a [[Master's degree]] in [[Hydrodynamics]] from [[University of Lagos]]. In 1975, he obtained a [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D]]. in [[Applied mathematics|Applied Mathematics]] from the [[University of Lagos]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-26 |title=Adeboye, 3 women mathematicians bag highest award |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/adeboye-3-women-mathematicians-bag-highest-award/ |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>Punchng, [https://punchng.com/adeboyes-story-lecture-hall-global-pulpit/ Adeboye's story: From the lecture hall to global pulpit], punchng.com, Nigeria, 8 January 2017</ref>

== Ministry ==
Adejare Adeboye joined the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God|Redemed Christian Church of God]] in 1973 and served as an interpreter before he was ordained a [[pastor]] in the church by Pa. Josiah Akindayomi in 1975.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-14|title=Why Adeboye was ordained pastor in 2 years|url=https://thecable.ng/why-adeboye-was-ordained-pastor-in-2-years|access-date=2021-01-27|website=TheCable|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-14 |title=How Adeboye became RCCG's General Overseer {{!}} Premium Times Nigeria |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/442851-how-adeboye-became-rccgs-general-overseer.html |access-date=2022-04-24 |language=en-GB}}</ref> He became General Overseer of the church in 1981.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Enoch|first1=Adeboye|title=About Enoch Adeboye – EAAdeboye.com|url=https://eaadeboye.com/about/|website=eaadeboye.com|publisher=Enoch Adejare Adeboye|access-date=14 May 2018}}</ref> For three years, he filled the role part-time at [[Unilorin]] before giving up his university position to preach full-time.<ref name=newsweek>Lisa Miller, [http://www.newsweek.com/newsweek-50-e-adeboye-83039 The Newsweek 50: E. A. Adeboye], ''Newsweek.com'', 20 December 2008</ref><ref name=Ositelu>[https://books.google.com/books?id=yIGFMLeT0n0C&dq=Enoch+Adeboye&pg=PA104 African instituted churches], Rufus Okikiolaolu Olubiyi Ositelu. LIT Verlag Berlin-Hamburg-Münster</ref> In 2017, Adeboye announced his resignation as General Overseer, but be retained the role.<ref>{{cite News |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/breaking-pastor-adeboye-retires-general-overseer-rccg/ |title=Pastor Adeboye retires as General Overseer of RCCG |date=7 January 2017 |newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Why Adeboye stepped down as head of Nigeria’s Redeemed Church |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/219848-adeboye-stepped-head-nigerias-redeemed-church.html?tztc=1 |first=Festus |last=Owete |date=7 January 2017 |newspaper=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Pastor Adeboye reveals why he wanted to resign as RCCG General Overseer |url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/03/28/pastor-adeboye-reveals-why-he-wanted-to-resign-as-rccg-general-overseer/ |date=28 March 2022 |first=Seun |last=Opejobi |newspaper=[[Daily Post (Nigeria)|Daily Post]]}}</ref>

The church which was not well known before Adeboye became the General Overseer, has branches in about 198<ref name=":0" /> nations as of (March 2017), including more than 14,000,000 worshipers in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Premium |date=2021-02-14 |title=How Adeboye became RCCG's General Overseer |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/442851-how-adeboye-became-rccgs-general-overseer.html |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Premium Times Nigeria |language=en-GB}}</ref> Adeboye has stated that he aims to put a church within five minutes walking distance in developing cities and five minutes driving distance in developed cities.<ref name=newsweek />

Adeboye is considered a preacher of the [[prosperity gospel]],<ref>{{Cite journal|title=The prosperity theology's impact on the contemporary Nigerian Church and society|url=https://www.academia.edu/37126031|date=29 September 2017|access-date=29 December 2019|author=Goka Muele Mpigi|journal=Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, Akwa Ibom State University|publisher=Academia.edu}}</ref> a claim he does not deny, saying that "[[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]] have such an impact because they talk of the here and now, not just the by and by… while we have to worry about heaven, there are some things God could do for us in the here and now."<ref>{{cite web|title=Op-Ed: Nigerian prosperity gospel churches fleece the poor|url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/313930#ixzz69Yi9SAIP|publisher=Digital Journal|author=John Thomas Didymus|date=5 November 2011|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref>

He celebrated his 80th birthday in 2022. Adeboye's foundation donated eight [[Kidney dialysis machines|dialysis machines]] to Wuse District Hospital, together with a [[reverse osmosis]] medical water purification system and an electrical generator.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-21 |title=Foundation commemorates Adeboye's birthday with donations in Abuja, Bauchi |url=https://guardian.ng/news/foundation-commemorates-adeboyes-birthday-with-donations-in-abuja-bauchi/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Publications ==
Adeboye has written several books, including:<ref>{{Cite web |last1=PreacherMan |first1=The |last2=JOE |first2=IBEH C. |last3=JOE |first3=IBEH C. |last4=JOE |first4=IBEH C. |date=2021-06-15 |title=Download All Pastor E.A Adeboye Books (PDF) Till Date |url=https://thepreachersportal.org/download-all-pastor-e-a-adeboye-books-pdf-till-date/ |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=The Preachers' Portal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-28 |title=Download All PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE Books PDF (Direct Download Link) » Naijasermons |url=https://naijasermons.com.ng/pastor-adeboye-books-pdf-download/ |access-date=2022-08-06 |language=en-US}}</ref>

* ''Open Heavens Daily Devotional''
* ''Lessons from the Sower''
* ''Christian Moderator''
* ''Deadly Enemy of Man''
* ''Divine Favour''
* ''Kingdom Prosperity''
* ''Fruits of the Spirit''
* ''God of Wonders''
* ''God’s Remembrance and Deliverance''
* ''Prevailing Prayers''
* ''The Wonder Working God''
* ''Transitions''
* ''Mathematics & Greatness''
* ''Behold, He Cometh! Are You Prepared?''
* ''As Pure as Light''
* ''Last days: A Study of the Book of Revelation''
* ''Workers in Training Manual'' 
* ''In His Presence''
* ''David''
* ''Signs and wonders''
* ''Are you working with God: Are you a partner?''

== University endowments ==
Adeboye has [[Financial endowment|endowed]] four<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.informationng.com/2012/06/pastor-adeboye-donates-50-million-naira-to-obafemi-awolowo-university.html|title=Pastor Adeboye Donates 50 Million Naira To Obafemi Awolowo University - INFORMATION NIGERIA|date=3 June 2012|work=INFORMATION NIGERIA|access-date=31 October 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Nigerian universities, including [[Obafemi Awolowo University]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Endowment of Professorial Chair in Mathematics: Pastor Adeboye gives fifty (50) Million Naira to OAU|url=http://www.oauife.edu.ng/2012/06/endowment-of-professorial-chair-in-mathematics-pastor-adeboye-gives-fifty-50-million-naira-to-oau/|publisher=OAU|access-date=27 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605052112/http://www.oauife.edu.ng/2012/06/endowment-of-professorial-chair-in-mathematics-pastor-adeboye-gives-fifty-50-million-naira-to-oau/|archive-date=5 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[University of Nigeria, Nsukka|University of Nigeria]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Eyobok & Latona|first=sam & Olayinka|title=Adeboye endows N50m Professorial Chair in Maths at UNN|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/adeboye-endows-n50m-professorial-chair-in-maths-at-unn/|access-date=27 March 2014|newspaper=Vanguard Nigeria|date=6 June 2011}}</ref>

==Awards and recognition==
*''1 of the 50 most powerful people in the world'' by ''[[Newsweek]]'' (2008)<ref name=newsweek />
*Adeboye was cited as one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by [[New African]] magazine in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Africa|first=Ventures|date=2019-10-09|title=Top 10 Nigerians in Africa Report's 100 most influential Africans|url=http://venturesafrica.com/top-10-nigerians-in-africa-reports-100-most-influential-africans/|access-date=2021-01-15|website=Ventures Africa|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Honorary doctorates===
He has received several [[honorary doctorates]].<ref>Media Nigeria, [https://www.medianigeria.com/pastor-e-a-adeboye-awards-and-recognitions/ Pastor E.A. Adeboye Awards and Recognitions], medianigeria.com, Nigeria, March 2, 2020</ref>
* 2009 : Honorary doctorate, [[University of Lagos]]
* 2009 : Honorary doctorate, [[University of Nigeria]]
* 2009 : [[Doctor of Theology]], [[Canada Christian College]]
* 2011 : Honorary doctorate, [[University of Ibadan]]
* 2015 : [[Doctor of Science]], [[University of Lagos]]
* 2016 : Honorary doctorate, [[Obafemi Awolowo University]]<ref>Daily Post, [https://dailypost.ng/2016/01/16/pastor-adeboye-bags-oau-honorary-doctorate-degree-award/ Pastor Adeboye bags OAU honorary doctorate degree award], dailypost.ng, Nigeria, January 16, 2016</ref>
* 2017 : [[Doctor of Divinity]], [[University of Nigeria]]<ref>Taiwo Ojoye, [https://punchng.com/unn-honours-adeboye-doctorate-degree/ UNN honours Adeboye with doctorate degree], punchng.com, Nigeria, 25th January 2017</ref>
* 2022 : [[Doctor of Divinity]], [[Oral Roberts University]]<ref>Taiwo Ojoye, [https://punchng.com/pastor-adeboye-gets-honorary-doctorate-from-oklahoma-varsity/ Pastor Adeboye gets honorary doctorate from Oklahoma varsity], punchng.com, Nigeria, 1st May 2022</ref>

==Personal life==
Adeboye married [[Foluke Adeboye|Folu Adeboye]] on 17 December 1967. He is a father to four children (three sons and a daughter) and several grandchildren from the marriage. Pastor Enoch Adeboye lost his son Dare Adeboye on 4 May 2021, who died at the age of 42.<ref>{{cite web |title=The love story of the Adeboyes |date=16 July 2017 |url=https://www.thecable.ng/love-story-adeboyes |access-date=7 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Foluke Adeboye: Celebrating a Mother in Israel at 69 |date=9 July 2017 |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/07/09/foluke-adeboye-celebrating-a-mother-in-israel-at-69/ |access-date=7 April 2021}}</ref><ref>Nkem Ikeke, [https://www.legit.ng/389344-pastor-adeboye-reveals-the-secret-to-his-marriage.html Pastor Adeboye Reveals The Secret To His Marriage], legit.ng, Nigeria, 21 February 2015</ref> In May 2023, a film titled “Enoch” was aired, the movie gives a biopic on the life of Pastor Adeboye to celebrate his 81st birthday and [[Adeola Emmanuel Abolaji]] starred as the lead actor <ref>{{Cite web |last=Eze |first=Chinelo |date=2023-03-07 |title=Enoch: The Biopic On The Life Of Adejare Adeboye |url=https://guardian.ng/life/enoch-the-biopic-on-the-life-of-adejare-adeboye/ |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-04 |title=ENOCH THE MOVIE, A BIPOC ABOUT THE LIFE OF ENOCH ADEJARE ADEBOYE - REVIEW |url=https://rccgonline.org/enoch-the-movie-a-bipoc-about-the-life-of-enoch-adejare-adeboye-review/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=OPEN HEAVEN FOR TODAY, RCCG OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL MAY 2023 BY E A ADEBOYE |language=en-us}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Evangelical Christianity|}}
* [[T.B. Joshua]]
* [[David Oyedepo]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|https://eaadeboye.com/}}
*[http://www.rccgwcd.org/about-pastor-adeboye/ Pastor E. A. Adeboye] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110043813/http://www.rccgwcd.org/about-pastor-adeboye/ |date=10 November 2016 }} at RCCG Winners Chapel Detroit

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Adeboye, Enoch}}
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Nigerian Pentecostal pastors]]
[[Category:People from Osun State]]
[[Category:Yoruba Christian clergy]]
[[Category:University of Lagos alumni]]
[[Category:Academic staff of the University of Lagos]]
[[Category:University of Nigeria alumni]]
[[Category:Yoruba–English translators]]
[[Category:Academic staff of the University of Ilorin]]
[[Category:Prosperity theologians]]