“Victory Is Not By Strength Alone”: Pastor Adeboye Reveals His Boxing Past And Shares Timeless Life Lessons

In an unexpected and inspiring revelation, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A. Adeboye, has shared a rare story from his youth — one that links his time as a boxer in the 1960s to powerful lessons on hard work, discipline, and divine involvement in life’s journey.

Speaking during the August Thanksgiving Service, themed “The Winning Team,” Pastor Adeboye captivated thousands of worshippers as he recalled the intensity of his early training days and how a single comment from his coach became a guiding principle for the rest of his life.

 “We asked our coach why he was pushing us so hard, even though we weren’t joining the army,” he recounted. “He replied, ‘What’s wrong with you, stupid boys? The strength I’m building in you — will you return it to me when you leave?’ That question has stayed with me ever since.”

According to Pastor Adeboye, that tough-love moment taught him that greatness doesn’t come from comfort.

“A coach isn’t your friend,” he said. “Friends may accept you the way you are, but a coach sees your potential and refuses to let you stay average.”

Hard Work Isn’t Enough Without God

Quoting Proverbs 22:29, Pastor Adeboye emphasised the importance of diligence: “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings.” However, he was quick to add that hard work alone is not enough.

Referencing Ecclesiastes 9:11 and Romans 9:15, he explained that success in life is not always about being the smartest or fastest — it ultimately depends on God’s mercy and favour.

 “The person who wins in life isn’t always the brightest. Whether you rise or fall depends on God. Victory is 100% determined by His will,” he said.

Boxing Lessons for Life

Reflecting on his boxing days, Pastor Adeboye credited the discipline, endurance, and mental strength he developed during that period with helping him navigate decades of ministry and leadership challenges. He encouraged believers to embrace similar values in their own lives.

“If you do what the average person does, you’ll remain average,” he warned. “But if you go the extra mile and let God lead you, your victory is guaranteed.”

A Call to Join the Winning Team

The ongoing August Thanksgiving Service, held from August 4 to 10 at Redemption City, continues to draw multitudes of worshippers both physically and online, all seeking divine direction and assurance that with God, they belong to “The Winning Team.”

Pastor Adeboye’s message serves as a timely reminder: in a world obsessed with shortcuts, lasting success still comes from God.

As the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC) celebrates its golden jubilee, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), along with his wife, Folu, has donated a dialysis centre to the hospital.

The RCCG has invested over N110 billion in medical facilities and social impact initiatives across Nigeria over the past eight years.

The newly established dialysis centre is equipped with three dialysis machines, several beds, a water reverse osmosis purification system, a generator, and air conditioners.

During the commissioning of the Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis Center in Ilesa, Osun State, Pastor Funso Odesola, who represented the General Overseer, expressed concern over the trend of political leaders traveling abroad for medical treatment instead of investing in Nigeria’s healthcare system. He remarked, “Pastor E.A. Adeboye is setting an example of what the government should be doing. It is disheartening that even those making policies cannot receive treatment in hospitals within their own country. Baba G.O. has demonstrated what can be done for the people.”

He urged government officials and those in power to follow this example and work towards improving healthcare in Nigeria.

Pastor Kayode Pitan, the Coordinator of Christian Social Responsibility (CSR) for RCCG, revealed that the church has donated N110 billion to medical facilities and social impact projects within eight years, benefiting over 207 million Nigerians. He noted that the dialysis centre at OAUTHC is the 13th of its kind to be donated by the RCCG in Nigeria.

States that have previously received similar donations include the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Bauchi, Ogun (Redemption Camp and Sagamu), Ondo, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Osun, and Anambra.

Additionally, the RCCG has also provided Intensive Care Units in Lagos, Plateau, Ondo, and Ogun States.

In related news, Dr. John Okeniyi, the Chief Medical Director, called for increased public-private partnerships to enhance the state of medical facilities in Nigeria. He stated, “In many parts of the world, people give back to their communities. During my training in Israel, I saw that the facility where I trained is larger than this entire hospital, thanks to the generosity of one family. This is the essence of giving — to humanity, irrespective of tribe.”

Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Mr. Jola Akintola, commended Pastor Adeboye and the entire RCCG family for their vision, compassion, and ongoing contributions to humanity.

The Choir of Bishop Ajayi Crowther Memorial Anglican Church (BACMAC), located in Gowon Estate, Lagos State, and led by Sir Kelechi Agu, is preparing to release a music book that narrates the story of the slave trade, using Bishop Ajayi Crowther as a focal point.

Titled Samuel Ajayi Crowther: The Slave Trade, this 25-chapter book provides an in-depth exploration of the slave trade while offering insights into the life of Ajayi Crowther, the first African Bishop recognized for his significant contributions to evangelism.

Ajayi Crowther is primarily known for his work in translating the Bible from English to Yoruba.

In a statement made on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Agu explained that this collection was created out of the BACMAC choir’s desire to spread the gospel and honor the legacies of men of faith who have passed on.

“The book is inspired by the extraordinary life and witness of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther. It reflects his journey from birth and enslavement to redemption, consecration, and missionary impact. It offers a musical reflection on his experiences while shedding light on often-overlooked aspects of the transatlantic slave trade and God’s sovereign grace throughout,” he said.

Agu noted that the work is unique, as it presents lesser-known stories about Ajayi Crowther. He emphasized that research for the book involved extensive travel and digging into archives to uncover uncommon information. For instance, many are unaware of Crowther’s family life or that his wife was also a slave, originally named Ashana before she was given the name Susan.

He further stated that the book serves a dual purpose as both an academic work and a musical compilation. It combines literature and music, with each chapter featuring a narrative followed by corresponding musical pieces.

“For every chapter, there is literature telling the story, followed by music that illustrates the narrative,” Agu said.

While praising Ajayi Crowther’s contributions, Agu emphasized that he was a remarkable figure deserving of ongoing celebration.

“Ajayi Crowther embodies the story of the slave trade. However, beyond that, he played a pivotal role in consolidating the Christian faith in Africa. His arrival made it easier for the gospel to resonate with Africans,” he noted.

He also highlighted Crowther’s innovative contributions to the Anglican Church, mentioning that he introduced the use of drums in worship, which nearly led to his ostracism.

The book, which is dedicated to the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos, Rev. James Odedeji, will be officially released at a press conference on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

“It will be available for purchase online and subsequently launched at various locations, including BACMAC and the Diocese of Lagos West. It will also be presented to the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Revd Henry Ndukuba,” Agu added.

This book marks the first music book produced by the BACMAC choir, which has previously performed works such as G.F. Handel’s Messiah (Parts 1-3) and John Steiner’s Crucifixion.

BACMAC Choir has built an international reputation, bringing Nigerian music to global platforms. They host an annual music festival and have consistently represented Nigeria in various choral events across Africa and beyond. Notably, they represented Nigeria at the Africa Choral Gospel Championship in Rwanda in 2020, winning two silver medals, and participated in “Africa Sings” in Togo (2021) and Benin Republic (2022). Additionally, they hosted the Church Music Convocation and Festival in Africa in 2023, drawing choirs from over 14 African nations to celebrate through hymns, chants, and classical anthems