•The Story Of Late Pastor ABIONA
On January 1st when everyone was celebrating the new year, death took away one of the staunch pastors of the Redeemed Church, Pa Abiona. Until his death, he was the retired Deputy General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The man of God died at the ripe age of 96.
Late Pa Abiona, was one of the respected elders of the church. He was appointed acting General Superintendent after the death of the church founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi. He had handled the transition of the church leadership from Akindayomi to the current General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, in 1981 and weathered the storm generated by people who were eager to lead the church, despite God’s plan, which had earlier been made known to them.
Respected for his humility and commitment to the work of God in the church, Abiona was known as one of the very few people to pray for Adeboye and his wife, Pastor Foluke, during church programmes. If you are familiar with redeemed church services or you are a member of Redeemed Church most especially if you are a regular member at the Headquarter church in Ebute Metta or at any programme at the Redemption Camp, one popular figure you will notice sitting beside the GO apart from his wife is an old grandpa, Pastor JH Abiona. Pastor Abiona is one of the most respected men of God in Redeemed Church and so even Redeemed’s first family, the Adeboye’s does not joke with Papa as he is fondly called. He has a special seat beside pastor Adeboye and we can authoritatively tell you that his closeness with pastor Adeboye is over 40 years even before Pastor Adeboye became Redeemed church’s GO. He was pastor Adeboye’s Deputy for over 30 years. Pastor Abiona is from a noble family and he has been in Redeemed church all his life even during the times of the late Redeemed church founder, Pa Akindayomi. After Pa Abiona retired a few years back from being the Deputy GO, no other pastor has filled his great shoes. Redeemed church family holds him in high esteem and even at many times, pastor Abiona is always given the honour to pray and bless the church.
The Adeboyes and indeed the Redeemed Church as a whole will miss Pa Abiona.
In the Redeemed Church of God, there are hierarchies, the highest office and the most powerful in the Redeemed Church of God, RCCG, is the office of the General Overseer and head of mission, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and that of his wife, Foluke Adeboye. Next to the GO’s office is the Governing Council (GC). This is a body of seven most senior pastors who form the highest decision-making body in the church. It functions as an advisory committee on important matters such as doctrine, discipline, acquisition of property and senior appointments. The group also discusses important revelation from God through the GO before it is made public. The body is always chaired in its sessions by the GO.Pa Abiona was one of the members of the governing council and this made him one of the top pastors in Redeemed Church. There are differences in opinion concerning who is next to the GO. Some pastors believe that the Deputy General Overseer (DGO) is; others think it is the Governing Council since this is the highest-ranking body. Whichever is the case, the office of the DGO has not been functional for some time now after the retirement of Pastor JH Abiona (Rtd) who was the deputy General Overseer and member of the governing council of the Church. Pa Abiona was one of the foremost and most beloved Pastors whom Pastor Adeboye holds in high esteem and no wonder, he takes papas case always serious.
Over a year ago, when Pa Abiona clocked 95, he was celebrated by the Adeboyes in a big way. In Pa Abiona lifetime, even in his old age, he was very agile, goes to church regularly, dances and even pray with all his energy like a youth. He has been seen many times hands in hand with Pastor Adeboye in the church as they always walk together with his slightly dark recommended eyeglass.
4years ago, The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, formerly sent forth his retired Deputy General Overseer, late Pastor J. H. Abiona, who has been assisting him since 1981, when he took over the mantle of leadership of the church and the event was during the annual Ministers’ Thanksgiving held at Redemption Camp. Adeboye started by saying, ‘Papa DGO has been faithful since he started assisting me since 1981. I want to officially send him off and other retired AGOs. I will give them gift that will be there in the next 10 years as personal gratitude’.
Pa Abiona’s journey to Christ started early in his life when he gave his life to Christ. The Holy Spirit confirmed Papa Abiona who was then working at the Ebute Metta Town Council as the first A.G.O to the incoming general overseer. Papa Abiona then resigned from the local council in 1980 and went full time as a pastor in RCCG. As gathered from a reliable source in the church, Pa Abiona is the only person that prays for Pastor Adeboye and his wife while they are on their knees after every annual thanksgiving service of the church.
-TAYO OYEDIJI
READ ALSO: PRINCE DAYO ADEYEYE SET FOR EKITI GOVERNORSHIP
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