“How I Responded When Told Preaching Was Forbidden in a Town in Kwara” – Pastor E.A. Adeboye

At the RCCG International Youth Convention 2024, Pastor E.A. Adeboye shared an inspiring story of bold evangelism in the face of opposition, recounting his experience preaching in a town in Kwara State where the gospel was forbidden. His unwavering determination to spread the message of Christ led to the transformation of the town.

“When I was in Ilorin, I heard about a town where it was said that nobody dared preach about Jesus. There wasn’t a single church there,” Pastor Adeboye said. Despite the warnings from others, he saw this as an opportunity to bring the gospel to a place that had never heard it. “They said, ‘You can’t go there,’ and I said, ‘Is that so? There’s no church there?’ When they confirmed it, I said, ‘Good.'”

Before embarking on the mission, Pastor Adeboye sought the backing of his Father in the Lord, who affirmed his decision, saying, “You don’t need to take permission for that kind of thing.” With this assurance, Pastor Adeboye led his team to the town, determined to break through the spiritual barriers that had kept the gospel out for so long.

Today, the same town where preaching was once forbidden has become a stronghold of faith, now serving as the headquarters of a province. Pastor Adeboye’s fearless evangelism and commitment to spreading the gospel resulted in a profound transformation for the town, proving that even the most resistant places can be reached through faith and persistence.

Reflecting on this experience, Pastor Adeboye emphasized the importance of “violent evangelism,” urging believers to go beyond comfort zones to spread the message of Christ. “You want to be in control? You must pray violently,” he added, encouraging Christians to pursue boldness in both prayer and outreach.