Adeboye Criticizes Arrest of RCCG Pastor Overseas for Using ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ Greeting

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has expressed concern over the arrest of one of his pastors abroad for addressing a congregation as “ladies and gentlemen.” During the church’s monthly thanksgiving service at the RCCG’s Throne of Grace in Lagos on Sunday, Adeboye criticized the arrest, explaining that the term was seen as discriminatory because it did not acknowledge all gender identities within that culture. In a sermon titled “My Father’s House,” broadcast across all RCCG parishes, Adeboye warned that the end times were approaching, noting that things were worsening. He cited the incident involving his pastor, who was detained for simply addressing a gathering with the phrase “ladies and gentlemen.” The pastor had been reported for discrimination by people questioning, “What about those who are neither ladies nor gentlemen?” Adeboye also shared a troubling story about a woman who referred to her dog as her “husband.” When asked about her spouse, she explained, “I took him to the vet before coming. He doesn’t talk,” indicating that her “husband” was, in fact, a dog. Adeboye expressed his concern over the decline of moral values globally, seeing these incidents as signs of the impending end times. He urged believers to take their faith seriously, warning those who were merely going through the motions—singing, clapping, and enjoying religious activities without true commitment—that Jesus is coming back. He emphasized the importance of standing firm in their faith, saying, “The devil wants to harvest you, but you must not give him the opportunity. I want to see you in my Father’s House.”