The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Region 2, Gbagada, has unveiled an ambitious plan to leverage sports as a vehicle for evangelism, youth engagement, and empowerment.
Under the leadership of Pastor Joshua Olutola Aremu, the newly appointed Regional Sports Director, the initiative aims to blend faith with physical activity, fostering discipline, community involvement, and spiritual growth among young people.
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Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Pastor Aremu revealed that his appointment was a mix of divine inspiration and personal passion. “A few years ago, Pastor Bode Odesola nominated me to lead sports in Region 2. I believe it was divine,” he said.
Aremu, a former school goalkeeper and table tennis player, is also an educationist who has remained actively involved in sports at the grassroots level. His vision is to use sports as a dynamic tool for ministry and youth development.
“This is not just about physical competition,” Aremu said. “Sports can grow the church. We once organised a street match and held a Sunday service on the pitch. Our attendance rose from 300 to over 700. Some of the youths from the match are now attending our church.”
The just-concluded Regional Sports Finals marked a milestone for the church, being the first time RCCG Region 2 conducted a structured qualifying event in line with the national template issued by the RCCG Directorate of Sports, led by Professor Adebayo Morufolu.
The festival featured a variety of events, including football (male and female), basketball, table tennis, chess, Scrabble, Ayo Colophon, and track races ranging from 100m to relays. Winners will advance to the Lagos zonal level and potentially compete in the Southwest tournament, culminating in the RCCG Annual Convention in August.
Beyond outreach and evangelism, Aremu highlighted the discipline that sports instil—an attribute he says is in line with Christian values. “Discipline is key to success, whether in sports or ministry. Even in training, if a player loses the ball, they do press-ups. That teaches responsibility,” he noted.
However, the journey has not been without challenges. Aremu admitted the financial burden of hosting the sports festival has fallen on a few dedicated individuals. “It’s financially demanding. We’re still settling some bills. But we’re focused on the impact,” he said.
He called on stakeholders—including corporate sponsors, churches, and private individuals—to support the vision. “With more resources, we can reach more youths, transform more lives, and create future stars—both on the field and in the faith,” he added.
With the backing of RCCG’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, and other senior church leaders, RCCG Region 2’s sports initiative is fast becoming a model for impactful youth ministry in Nigeria.
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