By PASTOR Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has shared stories of redemption and spiritual freedom from his long-standing ministry to inmates at Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos, Nigeria.
He shared his experience during the November 1 Holy Ghost Service at Redemption City of Ogun State.
Earlier during the evening service, an inmate who has eventually gained his freedom from the prison, had come up to testify to God’s mercy and goodness through the renowned cleric.
Adeboye, known for his focus on outreach, revealed how his visits to the prison had sparked life-changing transformations, with some inmates becoming devoted Christians.
Reflecting more on the testimony of the former inmate, who had found Christ while incarcerated, Adeboye said, “I thank God for the testimony of my friend who came from Kirikiri Prisons to testify. That’s where we met.”
He noted that the man had become a pastor after encountering the gospel through the RCCG’s ministry efforts.
Adeboye explained that his team has consistently delivered food to Kirikiri Prisons over the years, an effort that continued until authorities stopped his personal visits.
“For several years, we’ve been taking food to Kirikiri Prisons. Once a year, until people in power stopped me from going, I would go there at Christmas to share the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he recounted.
The amiable RCCG leader shared plans for future outreach, mentioning that the church is building a chapel at the prison.
“By God’s grace, we’re already building a church there, and the chapel we have has been renovated,” he revealed, underlining RCCG’s commitment to ministering to inmates.
In a heartfelt anecdote, Adeboye recalled his first visit to the prison as a young Christian, guided by his mentor, Papa Talabi.
“I wasn’t comfortable at first,” he admitted, “but then I saw a young man playing the organ with such joy.”
He later learned the man had been sentenced to life in prison, but had found peace through his faith.
“When I asked why he was so happy, my mentor said it’s because he’s found Jesus Christ. That’s when I fell in love with Kirikiri Prisons,” Adeboye shared, describing how this experience ignited his passion for prison ministry.
“You can put him behind bars, but his soul is free,” he said of the young man’s joyful spirit.
Adeboye went on to challenge the congregation, drawing a parallel between physical incarceration and inner imprisonment.
“It’s not those in Kirikiri Prisons who are the real prisoners,” he said. “There are many outside without handcuffs who are in even greater bondage.”
He urged attendees to break free from personal “prisons” that may bind them, such as bitterness, unforgiveness, and laziness.
“Those of you in the prison of unforgiveness, bitterness, laziness, oversleeping, overeating – you’re coming out tonight,” he concluded, encouraging worshippers to embrace the freedom offered through faith.
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