BREAKING: RCCG Pastor Arrested Abroad For Addressing Audience As "Ladies and Gentlemen", Detained for Ignoring Other Recognized Genders in Church

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), expressed his dismay over the arrest of one of the church’s pastors abroad. The pastor was detained after addressing the audience at a program as "ladies and gentlemen," a greeting that was considered discriminatory in the local culture for failing to acknowledge all gender identities recognized in that society.

Adeboye shared the incident during his sermon at the RCCG’s Throne of Grace parish in Lagos on Sunday, as part of the church’s monthly thanksgiving service. His message, which was broadcast to RCCG parishes worldwide, was titled "My Father’s House." The pastor described the arrest as a stark reminder of the worsening conditions in the world and a sign that the "end times" are closer than anticipated.

He recounted that some attendees had reported the pastor for not including non-binary individuals in the greeting. Additionally, Adeboye shared a concerning story about a woman who referred to her dog as her "husband." When asked about her spouse, the woman explained that her "husband" was a dog she had recently taken to the vet, as it didn’t speak.

These incidents fueled Adeboye’s concerns about the decline in moral values, which he believes signals the approach of the end times. He urged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith despite societal pressures. He further emphasized that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent and warned believers not to let the devil sway them from their commitment to God.

In his sermon, Adeboye also addressed what he sees as disturbing trends within the church, especially among church workers. He criticized men who wear braided hair and women who use excessive makeup, false eyelashes, or heavy cosmetics. He made it clear that such practices would no longer be permitted on RCCG altars, following similar remarks he made at the church’s 72nd annual convention in August 2024.