Many Christians know that Pa Josiah Akindayomi founded RCCG, Pastor E.A. Adeboye succeeded him and led its global expansion, while Pastor Tunde Bakare eventually left to establish Latter Rain Assembly.
However, according to Bakare’s autobiography, The Last, But Definitely Not The Least, there is an important chapter in RCCG’s history that many younger Christians may not know.
THE BIRTH OF THE MODEL PARISH
Bakare writes that God gave him a vision to reach educated and influential residents of Ikeja, Maryland, Opebi, Oregun and Onigbongbo.
He personally secured the property, funded its reconstruction and later informed Adeboye, who asked him to pastor the church.
That became RCCG’s first Model Parish.
Bakare was already a successful lawyer with thriving business interests, but he says he abandoned his legal career to concentrate on ministry.
The parish grew rapidly. In his autobiography, he makes a remarkable claim:
“The income that was coming to that church exceeded that of the headquarters.”
WHY ADEBOYE WANTED HIM TO STAY
According to Bakare, Adeboye recognised his gifts as a preacher, administrator and church builder.
He claims Adeboye tried to persuade him not to leave RCCG, offering him the position of General Evangelist as an intermediate step and eventually promising that he would succeed him as General Overseer.
Bakare even claims Adeboye was prepared to swear to that promise.
However, Bakare became convinced that God wanted him to establish another ministry.
He also recounts that Adeboye made a death pronouncement concerning him if he left RCCG, predicting he would die in 1989. Bakare says he subsequently approached Pastor W.F. Kumuyi for prayers, believing the pronouncement had to be broken.
These are Bakare’s accounts as presented in his autobiography.
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER HE LEFT?
Interestingly, the Model Parish concept survived his departure.
According to Bakare, RCCG leaders were sent to understudy the model. One of them was Dr Tony Rapu.
Other notable leaders, including Pastor Idowu Iluyomade and Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, would later lead influential Model Parishes.
One could argue that Bakare pioneered the template, while Adeboye expanded it into a major part of RCCG’s growth strategy.
THE DOWNSIDE OF THE MODEL PARISH CONCEPT
Personally, I believe the Model Parish concept was brilliant. It helped RCCG reach professionals, entrepreneurs, executives and influential Nigerians.
However, I believe it also created challenges.
The classical parishes became associated with prayer, fasting, evangelism, missions and strict discipleship, while many Model Parishes attracted greater visibility, financial resources and professional influence.
My concern is that different standards sometimes appeared to exist.
There is nothing wrong with comfortable auditoriums, air conditioning, excellent administration or modern facilities.
But there should be one standard of holiness, accountability, prayer, evangelism and discipleship across the entire church.
A church can have world-class facilities and world-class disciples at the same time.
MY ADVICE TO RCCG AND PASTOR ADEBOYE
Respectfully, RCCG’s greatest challenge today may no longer be expansion but discipleship.
The next phase should focus not just on planting more parishes but on producing deeper, committed Christians.
The prayer culture, sacrifice, evangelistic passion and spiritual discipline associated with the classical parishes should receive equal attention in the Model Parishes.
Growth should not be measured only by buildings and membership but also by the quality of Christians produced.
WHAT IF BAKARE HAD NEVER LEFT RCCG?
If Bakare had remained, accepted the position of General Evangelist and eventually succeeded Adeboye as he claims was promised, would he be RCCG’s General Overseer today?
We will never know.
© Copied