The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has identified the social media as a veritable tool for the propagation of the gospel.
Adeboye stated this just as he hit the two million followers’ mark on Facebook.
Offering words of prayers and appreciation to his Facebook fans, the RCCG spiritual leader explained that social media platforms had come handy for his evangelisation.
Adeboye, who towers higher than President Goodluck Jonathan in terms of social media following, is also the most visible Nigerian clergyman online.
In February, a creative online intelligence firm, Alder Consulting, in a report ranked Adeboye as the cleric that makes the most prolific use of social media in the country.
“I would like to thank you all for making me hit the two million followers on Facebook. May the Lord bless you and speedily answer all your prayers in Jesus name. Let us continue to spread the good news,” a message penned by Adeboye on Facebook read.
To register his appreciation, Adeboye posted a new photograph on Facebook, with a “Thank You” inscription on it.
Apart from Facebook, Adeboye, who is also active on Twitter, YouTube and Google+, as of Wednesday boasted a combined online following of 2,386,201.
Writing on his Twitter page, the septuagenarian confessed that God had been very faithful to him in all his dealings.
“Because Jesus was before me, He was there when my life was being planned. He is the one that knows and can change my destiny. No man can. I challenge you to take a critical look at your life. Are you making progress or going about in circles?
“If God is with us, we can fight anyone and win but if God is against us, we are finished. May the covenant-keeping God help me remain faithful to you as you have remained faithful to me,” he added.
Adeboye’s wife, Mrs. Folu Adeboye, has also taken a cue from her husband by leveraging on various social networking sites to propagate the gospel. Folu blogs atfaadeboye.com and she has digital presence on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
She described herself as a “virtuous woman, strong pillar and efficient planner” who complements the efforts of her husband in Christendom.
“She is endowed with immense initiative, and great capacity for hard work. Her attributes have helped the G.O (Adeboye) obey God’s command to be great.
“Mummy G.O. has not only been mother to her biological children and grandchildren, she has also been mother to the RCCG spiritual children and more importantly has been shouldering numerous responsibilities on behalf of the Redeemed Christian Church of God mission,” her resume posted on the blog added.
Folu advised parents not to be a bad example to their children, saying, “As a parent, be careful what you do now. If it is evil, it will not only affect you but your future and the ones coming after you.”
Another leading religious leader leveraging on the new media is the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Pastor Temitope Joshua.
Just as thousands of worshippers throng the popular televangelist’s Lagos-based church; his social media pages are also a beehive of activities as they receive hundreds of visitors on a regular basis.
Apart from having presence on Facebook, Twitter and Google+, TB Joshua is one of the few clergymen in the country who make use of Pinterest.
Pinterest is a social network that allows users to upload, save, sort, and manage images—known as pins—and other media content, such as videos and images through collections known as pinboards.
Besides, Alder Consulting also ranked the Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Rev. Sam Adeyemi, in a 2013 report, as a prolific digital media enthusiast.
Apart from regular ministrations via his social media pages, Adeyemi gives tips to young adults about ways of succeeding in their various careers.
According to him, the ideas he shares via his online pages are to enable his followers to achieve “extraordinary results” with a change of character and proven leadership skills in their various places of employment.
Adeyemi’s wife, Nike, an architect, has also followed the footsteps of her husband, focusing on social media engagement for women’s rights activism.
Nike has refused to forget about the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the over 200 Chibok girls, as she urged the authorities to do more to ensure their rescue.
“Whatever part of the world you (Chibok girls) are located today, may you see the daylight. May light shine unto you and all who suffer.
“To all those who suffer unjustly for their faith, race, tribe, gender, size, and even for no reason, may peace and comfort of the Lord be on you,” she wrote on Twitter.