The Directorate of Evangelism, originally known as the Department of Regional Evangelists, was established during the Annual Convention of 2003 with a pioneering team of five distinguished pastors. The founding members were:
- Pastor Ezekiel Odeyemi
- Pastor David Kuo
- Pastor Olusola Adeyeye
- Pastor Femi Agboola (Late)
- Pastor J.T. Kalejaiye
This initial group of senior pastors marked the beginning of the Regional Evangelist initiative, coinciding with the expansion of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) into five regions.
By 2006, RCCG had grown significantly, increasing the number of regions to ten. This expansion necessitated the appointment of five additional Regional Evangelists and ten new Special Assistants to the General Overseer. As the church continued to expand, the number of regions multiplied, reaching 42 by 2022, each overseen by a Regional Evangelist.
The growing number of regions and evangelists highlighted the need for a new administrative structure. During the 2022 Annual Convention, RCCG dedicated a new Secretariat to accommodate the increasing number of Regional Evangelists. This new facility included 35 offices, a conference hall for monthly meetings, an additional office for accounting and finance staff, a kitchenette, and other essential facilities.
Despite this expansion, the number of Regional Evangelists soon surpassed the available office space in the Secretariat. In January 2023, during a New Year’s visit to the General Overseer of RCCG, Daddy E.A. Adeboye, the idea of transforming the Secretariat into a Directorate was proposed. Daddy Adeboye emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on evangelism and soul-winning, urging the evangelists and their spouses to stay committed to their mission.
Inspired by this guidance, the group decided to rename the Secretariat to reflect a broader and more focused mandate. Thus, in February 2023, the Secretariat was officially renamed the Directorate of Evangelism. The renaming ceremony was led by the Intercontinental Evangelist, Pastor J.T. Kalejaiye, with the presence of his assistant, Pastor Gbenga Ilesanmi, other Regional Evangelists, and the Secretariat staff.
The establishment of the Directorate of Evangelism marks a significant step in RCCG’s ongoing mission to spread the gospel and win souls, reinforcing the church’s commitment to grassroots evangelism and the continuous expansion of its evangelical reach.