Redeemed Church Founder Loses Another Son

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has been thrown into mourning following the death of Pastor Ifeoluwa Akindayomi, the last surviving son of the church’s founder, the late Pa Josiah Akindayomi. He was 63 years old.

Pastor Ifeoluwa reportedly passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025, in what close associates have described as a sudden and shocking loss. His death comes nearly 45 years after that of his father, who founded the globally renowned church, and just seven months after the passing of his elder brother, Pastor Kolade Akindayomi, who died on May 4 this year.

According to family sources, the news of his passing came as a rude shock to many who had seen him only a day earlier performing his official duties. “Nobody would have thought he would die barely 24 hours after serving as chairman at a wedding ceremony,” a close family friend told Church Times. “He appeared healthy and full of life.”

Until his death, Pastor Ifeoluwa Akindayomi served as the Assistant Provincial Pastor of Ogun Province 5 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Beyond his ministerial work, he was also an entrepreneur who owned a thriving printing press business, which he managed with diligence and humility.

Friends and associates revealed that Pastor Ifeoluwa had recently been making plans to relocate abroad to join his family. A close acquaintance disclosed that he had secured a permanent residency in Canada and was preparing to reunite with his wife and children, who have been living overseas.

“He was always worried that his family wasn’t with him in Nigeria,” the source said. “He often spoke about his desire to have his son return home to help run the printing business. When it became clear they weren’t coming back, he decided he would relocate instead. It’s painful that he didn’t live long enough to make that move.”

His death has therefore left not just his congregation, but also his business associates and friends deeply heartbroken, particularly as he was said to be in good health and had been making plans for the next phase of his life.

Pastor Debo Akinyemi, one of his closest childhood friends and a fellow minister in the RCCG, described the late pastor as “a true gentleman who never threw his weight around.”

“He was not one to seek attention,” Akinyemi said. “Despite being the son of the church’s founder, he lived very quietly. Many people never even knew who he was because he didn’t use his background to draw any special privileges. He was content with his work, both in ministry and in business.”

According to Akinyemi, Pastor Ifeoluwa’s greatest strength lay in his simplicity and his love for people. “He had a gift for building and keeping relationships. He was always surrounded by friends and well-wishers. During the RCCG annual convention, his house was open to many visitors. He was generous to a fault.”

Akinyemi, who studied alongside him at Molusi College in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, recalled their youthful days with nostalgia. “He was the perfect gentleman—soft-spoken, respectful, and never boastful,” he said. “He didn’t carry any air of entitlement about being the founder’s son. As a pastor, he loved God sincerely and served faithfully. I’ll truly miss him.”

Pa Josiah Akindayomi, the patriarch of the RCCG, founded the church in 1952. From humble beginnings in Lagos, the ministry has grown into one of the largest Pentecostal movements in the world, with millions of members across more than 190 countries. The late Pastor Ifeoluwa was the youngest of Pa Akindayomi’s children and had maintained a low profile even as the church expanded globally under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

Though not one to pursue high ecclesiastical positions, those close to him said Pastor Ifeoluwa was deeply committed to the spiritual vision of his late father. He preferred working quietly at the provincial level, focusing on mentoring young ministers and supporting church projects rather than seeking prominence.

“He had every opportunity to rise through the ranks,” said another RCCG pastor who requested anonymity. “But he was never ambitious for titles. He just wanted to serve faithfully. That humility was part of what made him special.”

Since news of his death broke, condolences have poured in from various quarters within the church and the Christian community. Many have taken to social media to express their grief and share memories of the late pastor, describing him as a humble, kind-hearted, and generous man who touched lives through quiet acts of service.

His sudden passing, coming so soon after his elder brother’s, has stirred a wave of emotion within the Akindayomi family and among members of the RCCG. “It’s a very difficult time for the family,” a relative said. “Losing two brothers within the same year is not easy. But we take solace in the fact that they both lived impactful lives.”

Funeral arrangements are yet to be officially announced by the family or the RCCG leadership. Meanwhile, church members and friends continue to gather at his Ogun residence to offer prayers and comfort to the bereaved family.

Pastor Ifeoluwa Akindayomi will be remembered for his humility, generosity, and lifelong devotion to God’s work. In the words of one mourner, “He lived quietly, served faithfully, and left a legacy of love and integrity that will never be forgotten.”