Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has shared a story of how the late business tycoon, Chief Michael Ibru, helped avoid a major food crisis during the church’s very first convention, at a time when there were no funds to provide food.
During his message at the July Holy Ghost Service, held at the Redemption City in Ogun State and themed “Destined for Greatness – Part 3 (Helpers of Destiny),”
Pastor Adeboye recalled how the early RCCG leaders stepped out in faith, inviting all church members to the new campgrounds with a promise of free meals, despite having little or no financial support.
“We were very rich—in faith,” Adeboye said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
“I invited everyone to our new campground, which was just about 10 acres at the time, and announced they would be fed freely. But soon, the little money we had ran out.”
According to him, help came just in time. Chief Michael Ibru visited the camp and was surprised to see a crowd of over 3,000 people. Shocked, he asked Pastor Adeboye if he truly planned to feed everyone.
“He asked me, ‘Pastor, you mean you’re going to feed all these people?’ I said, ‘Yes sir, two meals per day.’ The very next day, he sent us a container of fish,” the cleric shared.
At the time, RCCG could not afford meat. The fish was deboned, cooked into jollof rice, and shared among everyone at the convention. Adeboye said this act of kindness was nothing short of divine intervention, and he credited God for sending a “helper of destiny” at the perfect time.
Later, during a thanksgiving and special prayer service at the RCCG headquarters in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, Pastor Adeboye spoke more on the topic “Divine Opportunities.” He urged Christians not to take such chances for granted, warning that missed opportunities may never return.
“Opportunity is a divine helper sent to enable you achieve God’s purpose. If you seize it, your life is made. But if you miss it, it may never return,” he said.
He further illustrated the importance of timely action using an old poem and an African proverb:
“Opportunity is like a man with plenty of hair in front and a bald back. If you don’t grab him as he approaches, once he passes, you’ll catch nothing.”
Speaking from Mount Carmel Prayer Village in Osun State, Pastor Adeboye prayed that no attendee would miss the moments God has prepared for their personal or financial breakthroughs.
After the event, Pastor Oladele Balogun, Special Assistant to the General Overseer and RCCG Region 1 leader, spoke with journalists. He noted that Nigerian leaders should focus on long-term, research-driven solutions and not overlook the natural resources available.
“We have a lot of sun in Nigeria. We should no longer be complaining about electricity. By now, we ought to be harnessing solar energy effectively,” he noted.
He also advised young Nigerians not to rely solely on relocating abroad to escape economic challenges. “Many young Nigerians abroad are stranded. Success is not limited to location. Be prayerful and allow God to open your eyes to the many opportunities around you—even in adversity,” he added.
Pastor Balogun also used the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of how adversity can force needed progress. He said churches and businesses learned to adapt digitally when they had no choice, showing that opportunities can arise even in hard times.
To wrap up the programme, Pastor Adeboye offered prayers for different groups, including business owners, job seekers, NYSC members, and both public and private sector workers.
