“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.

The FCT Baptist Girls Auxiliary (GA), under the auspices of the Baptist Women’s Missionary Union (WMU), will kick off its 2025 Prayer Retreat and Annual Conference Camp—along with its Centenary Celebration and Recognition/Coronation Service—this Monday.

The three-day program, themed “Help Through Waiting and Watching,” will take place at Nasara Baptist Church in Karu, Abuja. This event aims to foster the spiritual growth of young girls within the FCT Baptist Conference.

Key speakers, including the Camp Pastor, WMU President and Director, and the GA Director from the FCT Baptist Conference, are expected to attend.

In a message to participants, Reverend Deji Oyelami, the Minister in charge of First Baptist Church, Gwagwalada, Abuja, encouraged the members of the Girls Auxiliary to pay close attention to the lessons presented during the three-day program. He emphasised that this would help them become better home builders and positive examples in society.

Reverend Oyelami expressed concern over the behavior of some Christian young girls and urged them to embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ, becoming shining examples among their peers. He also highlighted the importance of prioritising their educational development and advised against engaging in actions that could hinder God’s purpose in their lives.

Additionally, Reverend Oyelami wished the Girls Auxiliary a blessed and successful conference and emphasised the importance of applying the lessons learned throughout the event.

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.