Sunday Adelaja

Sunday Adelaja
Sunday Adelaja (2007) Sunday Adelaja (2007)
Occupation	Pastor, journalist, author
Spouse	Bose Abosede Adelaja
Children	Perez, Zoe and Pearl
Website
http://www.pastorsunday.com/

Sunday Adelaja is the founder and senior pastor of the Embassy of God, an evangelical-charismatic church in Kiev, Ukraine. He immigrated to the Ukraine from Nigeria.

Adelaja and his growing church have faced criticism from local groups, from the Eastern Orthodox Church and from foreign-based Christian countercult organisations as well as accusations of involvement in fraud.

Adelaja's movement is also present in Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Latvia, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, the United States and Uzbekistan.

Biography

Sunday Sunkanmi Adelaja was born in the village of Idomila Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria. He became Christian in March 1986 just before graduating from high school. After graduation Adelaja left Nigeria to escape witchcraft and because he received a scholarship to study journalism at the Belarusian State University in Minsk, Byelorussian SSR. He claims he was threatened there by authorities for having a picture of Jesus in his house, but nevertheless, he began Christian activities in Russia during his studies. After graduating he was barred from returning to his country due to his missionary work. He married and took a job in Kiev, where he eventually founded and became pastor of the Embassy of God church, initially with only a handful of fellow African students.

The Embassy of God church is situated in Kiev, and has 700 daughter churches in different parts of Ukraine, Europe and over 45 countries of the world.

Pastor Sunday, as he now fondly named, came to Eastern Europe more than 21years ago to study journalism, but later felt called by God to plant a church that would one day become a mega church of over 25 000 people. Although he is a Nigerian man, he successfully pastors a congregation consisting of 99% white Europeans in a racially sensitive country. Pastor Sunday studied the Russian language in 9 short months and speaks, preaches and teaches in Russian fluently today.

By age 33, he had successfully built the largest charismatic church in Europe, having started with only 7 alcoholics and drug addicts in a small apartment in downtown Kiev, 1994. Since then he has commissioned the planting of more than 700 churches in over 45 different countries of the world, and has been instrumental in starting over 300 rehab centers for drug addicts and alcoholics, situated all over Ukraine and Russia.

Pastor Sunday recently started and organization for businessmen, “CLUB 1000” where Biblical principles of integrity and honesty are taught in an attempt to deliver the country of mafia and criminal based business.

The work that Pastor Sunday has dedicated his life to doing has profoundly impacted Ukraine for the better, also extending to more than 20 other countries of the world. He painstakingly set his heart to training over 5, 000 leaders who now continue this work in these different parts of the world.

Having in his heart to bring global change and relief, he has now started a new ministry that will reform and revolutionize the presupposed format of the western church, who will be effective in reaching out and touching the lives of hurting people in every sphere of society. This ministry is accurately named ChurchShift and will be instituted first in the USA, then to Europe and the rest of the world . He has also published a book with Charisma House called “Churchshift”. Pastor Sunday has also invested in helping the church in Europe to thrive instead of dwindle, as it has done for decades.

All of this started some years ago when a young Sunday had an encounter with Jesus, and this changed his life forever. It moved him to begin living his life by Biblical principles and with real purpose. He felt that if God could forgive him of his sins, then he wanted others to know this same freedom.

He was raised by his grandmother, but she died before he could apologize for his unruly, stubborn behavior while growing up. After her death, decided to compensate by doing his best to touch and uplift others, because he might not have a second chance to help if not today, as he didn’t have a second chance with his grandmother.

Pastor Sunday Adelaja is a unique and passionate man who has proven that not all Nigerians are unscrupulous, but that there are those who are honorable, sincere and genuine.

Although he grew up in poverty in Africa, today he plays an active role in the political and social life of Ukraine, and is acknowledged by world political leaders such as Bill Clinton, Ariel Sharon, Olusegun Obasanjo - former Nigerian President. He is also recognized as an influencing factor in political change in Ukraine, called the Orange Revolution.

Pastor Sunday was honored to open the U.S. Senate in prayer April 23rd, 2007 and also to speak at the United Nations on August 23rd, 2007 .

World leading media agents have reported on his work, such as Reuters, Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, BBC, Forbes, and others.

Adelaja spends a week of every month in prayer and fasting.

Church

Main article: Embassy of God

Adelaja's church, the Embassy of God, claims to have 25,000 members in Kiev alone. Adelaja's church is also expanding abroad, educating church leaders for Western Europe and Nigeria, with an emphasis on practical work to change lives, governments and cultures.

The Embassy of God church, now 15 years old celebrates the results of more than 5,000 former addicts restored back to normal society, stopping with crime to become respectable citizens and leaders in society - holding own jobs and starting families of their own. 1, 000 to 2, 000 people are fed daily at feeding centers in Kyiv, and 100s of homeless people have been taken off the street and taught skills, also being restored back to normal life and work. Over 2, 000 children have been helped off the street, and are being instituted back to their families. Out of 25, 000 people, several thousands testify of a restored family life, leading to further stability in the country. The church runs a 24 Hour Hotline where 100, 000 people to date have called in for help – many of these being rescued from suicide, family problems and numerous other difficulties.

Role in Orange Revolution

The church has been credited with playing an active role in the popular gatherings than eventually led to the Orange Revolution. Sunday Adelaja has, however, denounced in Ukrainian media his implied initiation of the Orange Revolution. The mayor of Kiev, Leonid Chernovetsky, is a member of the Embassy of God, but he is in opposition to the principle actors of the Orange Revolution, including Premier Yulia Tymoshenko. President Viktor Yushchenko has provided Adelaja with a certificate of thankfulness for his support in the Orange Revolution. During the protests, the church erected a tent chapel on Independence Square and offered shelter to thousands of people who came to Kiev.

Bibliography

• Money won’t make you Rich
• ChurchShift
• ChurchShift Guide
• Calling, purpose and attaining goals
• Growing wealthy without tears
• The restorers of the earth
• The happiness of a man
• Olorunwa – The roads of life
• Living sexually free
• Those who are Christ’s
• Life in God’s Kingdom
• How to hear the voice of God
• Heavenly atmosphere in the family
• The wilderness of your life
• Mighty warrior
• Accessing divine wisdom
• Spearheading a national transformation
• Victorious despite the devil
• The road to greatness
• Successful marriage takes work
• The treasures of the Kingdom
• Understanding God
• The whole world is waiting for you
• You and your pastor
• The Jesus you never knew
• Kings and judges of the earth
• Life and death in the power of the tongue
• The man God is going to use
• Pastoring without tears

and others.

Accusations of fraud

Adelaja was accused in November^[when?] of being involved in the dealings of King’s Capital, a financial group led by a member of his congregation. The company promises as much as 60 percent returns on investments and drew many of its investors from the church. Later several church members went to the authorities saying they were unable to recover the money they invested, which left many of them bankrupt. Police later arrested one of King’s Capital leaders, Aleksandr Bandurchenko, on suspicion of fraud.

On February 5, 2009 a criminal case against Sunday Adelaja was filed on suspicion of fraud. Adelaja was ordered not to leave Kiev. Investigators say they have testimony indicating that Adelaja was involved in the financial machinations allegedly committed by the King’s Capital financial group. Kiev’s Mayor Chernovetsky, himself a church member, had earlier said that Adelaja was not involved in the financial scheme at King’s Capital.

Criticism

According to the Christian countercult organisation Centers for Apologetics Research, which is as well critical about other famous Christian ministers such as Benny Hinn, Cesar Castellanos, David Yonggi Cho, John Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth E. Hagin, Oral Roberts, Rick Joyner, Rick Warren, Rodney Howard-Browne, T. D. Jakes and Tommy Tenney via their Apologetics Index, Adelaja's theology is based on revelations and a self-proclaimed prophetic interpretation of the Bible, expecting followers to be rich and successful in order to represent an infinitely rich God, and claiming even serious illnesses can be healed by a positive confession of health through conversion. This statement is typical to what Centers for Apologetics Research gives all other Christian ministers they criticize.

Senior researcher Dmitry Rozet of the Center for Apologetics Research in St. Petersburg, Russia, describes Adelaja as a prolific author who has written dozens of popular books sold throughout the former USSR. Rozet describes Adelaja's theology as based on the "prosperity gospel" and the positive confession. According to Rozet, Adelaja claims to be a biblical teacher, but infact misquotes the scripture, using prophetic interpretations, supposedly from his own personal revelations. Also, according to Rozet, Adelaja demands total dedication from his followers, saying his authority may not be challenged and people must obey the pastor and not pose questions, otherwise they will lose their blessing. Sick people must confess they are healed and hold on to this confession, because if they doubt, the disease will return. According to Rozet, some of Adelaja's followers eventually died from their illnesses because they didn't seek timely medical help.

The Orthodox Church claims Adelaja's church is a cult. Father Superior Yevstratiy Zorya, spokesman for the Orthodox Church in Kiev, said: "The followers become like zombies - they are fully devoted to the leader of the organisation, ready to fulfil any of his desires. ... It also has an impact on political life, because these people help to campaign for the politicians loyal to their church."

Contrarily, the Embassy of God said they did not exercise brainwashing, but targeted people who feel rejected by society. For example, they run a homeless shelter in Kiev which helps prostitutes, drug addicts and former criminals.

A BBC article supposed the church' popularity might be based on its offering a sense of community, which had been scarce for Ukrainians during post-Soviet poverty and unemployment. The article also noted that such a religious movement had never been seen before in the Ukraine.

See also

• Embassy of God

External links

• Pastor Sunday Adelaja – Standing Strong Amidst Opposition page 28-29 and 42 in Real Relationships magazine (June 2009)
• Pastor Sunday Adelaja to receive William J. Seymour Award (William J. Seymour) in The Christian Messenger, India’s Evangelical Newspaper (April 2009)
• Azusa Street Festival and Kingdom Summit in Christian News Wire (April 2009)
• Sunday Adelaja Marks 15 Years in Ministry Despite Controversy in Charisma magazine (April 2009)
• Sunday Adelaja Accused of Supporting Investment Scheme in Charisma magazine (December 2008)
• Pushing Boundaries in Christianity Today magazine (October 2008)
• Wellspring – What can we learn from Pastor Sunday Adelaja? in the website of His Kingdom Outreach Church (May 2008)
• Europe Mega-Pastor Gives Tips for Revival of U.S. Christianity in The Christian Post magazine (April 2008)
• Prominent pastor from Europe addresses students in Liberty University (March 2008)
• Sunday Adelaja's biography at the website of Family Aid International, an Embassy of God partner organization
• The Unlikely Ambassador in Charisma magazine (October 2007)
• Help Us in Africa in Charisma magazine (September 2007)
• Sunday Adelaja taking the Word around the world in Jamaica Gleaner magazine (November 2005)
• African Christianity Boom Spills to U.S. in The Christian Post magazine (February 2005)
• More Unity Among Ukraine Christians Following Elections in The Christian Post magazine (February 2005)
• God’s Presence is in Ukraine, Reports Kiev Leader in The Christian Post magazine (December 2004).