Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s Divine Encounter: The Birth of a Holiness-Driven Ministry

Introduction

Pastor E. A. Adeboye, the esteemed leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), is widely known for his emphasis on holiness in his sermons. 

This focus on holiness was not always at the forefront of his ministry until a life-changing experience in Kenya that profoundly reshaped his preaching and spiritual outlook. 

In a sermon titled “Open My Eyes” preached in Liberia, Pastor Adeboye shared the story of how a divine vision led him to prioritise holiness in his ministry.

The Vision that Transformed a Ministry

During a world conference of Pentecostals in Kenya, Pastor Adeboye, already a prominent pastor, participated in a meditation session. 

As a musician played worship music on a guitar, the atmosphere became charged with the presence of God. 

It was during this moment of deep worship that Pastor Adeboye had a vision that would alter the course of his ministry.

In the vision, he found himself in a massive hall, surrounded by thousands of angels. These angels were not the small, cherubic figures often depicted in art, but enormous, towering beings. 

As he turned to the right and left, the angels moved away from him, revealing a distant figure sitting on a throne. 

Confused by the angels’ behaviour, Pastor Adeboye looked down at himself and was horrified by what he saw.

“I saw myself totally naked,” he recounted. “I saw myself as somebody who had been plucked from sewers, covered with all manners of dirt.” The sight was a stark revelation of his spiritual condition, a moment of divine truth where God showed him who he truly was.

A Commitment to Holiness

This vision left an indelible mark on Pastor Adeboye. 

The experience of seeing himself in such a state of spiritual filth, coupled with the silent judgement of the angels, led him to make a solemn vow: “Almighty God, one way or the other, I’m coming back to this room. And then I will not be covered in filth.” 

From that moment on, holiness became the central theme of his preaching. He emphasised that when God reveals our true selves, it humbles us and drives us to strive for the purity that God expects.

Conclusion

Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s divine encounter in Kenya serves as a powerful testimony to the importance of holiness in the life of a believer. 

It was a moment that transformed not only his personal walk with God but also the direction of his ministry. 

Today, his sermons consistently call for a life of holiness, a message rooted in the profound vision that opened his eyes to the reality of his spiritual condition. 

Through this experience, Pastor Adeboye continues to inspire millions to pursue a life that is pleasing to God, free from the filth of sin.