The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has expressed concern over the arrest of one of the church’s pastors abroad for addressing a gathering as “ladies and gentlemen.”
During the RCCG’s monthly thanksgiving service at the Throne of Grace in Lagos State on Sunday, Pastor Adeboye disclosed that the phrase was deemed discriminatory by some attendees because it did not include individuals who identify outside the binary genders.
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“The end is nearer than you think. Things are getting worse, and this is a wake-up call. One of my pastors abroad was arrested for simply addressing a gathering as ‘ladies and gentlemen,’” Adeboye said during his sermon titled “My Father’s House.”
He elaborated that the pastor faced accusations of discrimination, with critics questioning, “What about those who are neither ladies nor gentlemen?”
Adeboye also recounted a bizarre encounter involving a woman who referred to her dog as her husband. The woman allegedly explained that she had taken her “husband” to the vet and described him as non-verbal, implying her “spouse” was indeed her pet.
The clergyman used these anecdotes to emphasize the erosion of moral values, warning that such incidents signal the nearing of the end times.
“Those of you already in Christ, take this matter seriously. Do not let anyone weaken your stand. God is holy. Those still playing church-singing, clapping, and enjoying things without genuine commitment-remember, Jesus is coming back. The devil wants to harvest you, but you must not give him the opportunity. I want to see you in my Father’s house,” Adeboye urged.
Known for addressing societal and church-related issues, Pastor Adeboye has recently voiced disapproval of certain cultural trends within RCCG branches worldwide. He criticized men wearing braided hair and women with false eyelashes and heavy makeup, declaring such appearances unacceptable on RCCG altars.
His remarks during the church’s 72nd annual convention in August, themed “Heaven,” also emphasized his concerns about the influence of secular culture on the church. The convention, held at The Redemption City, Ogun State, ran from August 5 to 11, 2024.
