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Nigerian church is building a new flock
WHILE congregation numbers at generally falling at churches across the UK, one is bucking the trend.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God from Nigeria is rapidly expanding, and we went to meet the pastors and their 'flock' who have set up home at Brinkburn Community Association in South Shields.
In 1952, when Pastor Josiah Akindayomi started a new church in Lagos, Nigeria, word soon spread of the miracles performed there.
Initially called the Glory of God Fellowship, it was soon renamed the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and has been a household name in that country ever since.
Having spread all over Europe and North America, the RCCG opened its first church in London in 1998, and has subsequently opened another 450 throughout the UK.
Eventually they hope to 'plant' numerous churches in every major town and city in Britain.
It sounds ambitious, but you only have to listen to their stories of medical miracles to realise they think nothing is impossible – if you have faith.
Already present in Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, Gateshead and North Shields, last month saw the opening of the South Tyneside branch at Brinkburn CA in Harton Lane.
Here, the services will be led by Pastor Michael Hedley, 50, who said: "This is my first parish and I'm really excited."
The former business manager who worked for the likes of the North East Chamber of Commerce, became a Christian four years ago, but only heard his true "calling" a year ago.
"I have always helped people as a manager and that's similar to what a pastor is – someone who cares for his flock."
Services are held every Sunday in the main hall of the CA, which for our visit was being used for carpet bowling.
However, far from seeing this enforced sharing of facilities as a hindrance, Pastor Michael saw it as an opportunity to forge links within the borough.
"It's useful to be in the heart of the community. It's great this building is used for other things other than just church.
"A church can be anywhere. It can be two or three people meeting in a house or in a Gothic cathedral. It doesn't matter where you are based as long as God resides in your heart."
He went on to explain how the RCCG differs from other denominations of the Christian church, having no robes or paraphernalia.
"It's a Pentecostal church. We have a praise and worship time where we give the Lord thanks for getting us through every day of the week.
"After that, we have a time of prayer where people can come forward and be prayed for.
"It's a Christ-centred, Bible-believing church characterised by manifestations of the Holy Spirit. I'm one of his vessels."
These instances of the Holy Spirit being 'channelled' to cure ailments and diseases are one of the reasons the church has become so famed throughout Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
Along for the day was Pastor Thomas Akinkunmi, who has taken services at the RCCG branch in Westgate Road, Newcastle, for the past five years.
Having preached before that for 12 years in his native Nigeria, he had many tales of divine healing.
"Someone had cancer and was selected for an operation, and we prayed for them just before the operation.
"They went for a check-up again and it was gone. That's an act of the Holy Spirit."
Apparently in Nigeria, these 'miracles' were commonplace for those belonging to the RCCG.
"There have been several. Someone in that parish in Nigeria had HIV. I laid my hands on them and prayed for her. She went for a check-up and they couldn't find a trace of the virus any more."
When told that this was physically impossible, he smiled enigmatically.
"But spiritually it is possible."
So were the two pastors 'miracle workers'?
"No we're not. The Holy Spirit is. We're just his vessels," Michael said.
Edith Ekpa, from Nigeria, who now lives in South Shields, had even more stories about the power of faith.
"All things are possible. My mother had a lump in her breast. She had this voice inside her, saying God was going to heal her.
"Two months later, they were preparing her for an operation. She went back and the lump was gone."
Her husband of 10 years, John, 41, an anaesthetist at South Tyneside District Hospital, added: "I'm a medical doctor, but I have seen miracles in my own life.
"We went to see a medical specialist, but they said we may not be able to have children.
"We prayed at a RCCG church, and today we have two lovely children."
For those thinking of coming to the services, Michael has these words.
"We are not here to ram the Bible down their throats. We reach out to people with love in our hearts."
For more information on the services, which start at 10am, call Michael on 0787 9253072, or e-mail living_rocksouthshields@hotmail.com.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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