Find an RCCG parish near you
Use your location to see Pentecostal congregations nearby, then look for parishes carrying the RCCG name or a distinctive parish title such as Jesus House or Victory House.
Who the Redeemed Christian Church of God are
RCCG began in Nigeria under founder Josiah Akindayomi and grew enormously under General Overseer Enoch Adeboye, who set the church an ambitious aim: a parish within a short walk of every home. That vision travelled with Nigerian Christians who settled in Britain, and from a handful of fellowships in the late twentieth century the UK mission has multiplied into several hundred parishes. Each parish is locally led but belongs to a connected national structure, so teaching, values and even the annual theme are shared across the whole network.
The best known parish is Jesus House in Brent Cross, north London, a large congregation with a national profile and a long record of community work. Most parishes are far smaller: a school hall, a high street unit or a shared church building, with a pastor who often serves alongside a day job. Do not be put off by a modest venue; the welcome inside is anything but modest.
What an RCCG service is like
- Praise and worship come first. Expect a lively band, gospel-influenced singing, dancing and clapping. The opening worship can last half an hour or more.
- Prayer is fervent. Congregations pray aloud together, often over specific themes announced from the front. Prayer for healing and personal needs is normal.
- Preaching is expository and practical. Sermons take the Bible seriously and apply it directly to work, family and faith, usually for 40 minutes or so.
- Services are unhurried. Two hours is common on a Sunday morning, and special services run longer.
- Dress varies. Many members dress smartly, some in West African fabrics, but visitors in everyday clothes are entirely welcome.
- Children are catered for. Most parishes run Sunday school during the service, and families with young children are expected and loved.
The Festival of Life and the wider calendar
Twice a year RCCG UK holds the Festival of Life, an all-night gathering of prayer and worship that has filled the ExCeL centre in London with tens of thousands of worshippers. It is one of the largest regular Christian gatherings in Europe and gives a sense of the scale of the movement. Parishes also observe monthly thanksgiving services, nights of prayer often called vigils, and an annual convention linked to the wider church in Nigeria.
Sister networks worth knowing
RCCG is part of a broader family of Black majority Pentecostal churches in Britain. The New Testament Church of God (NTCG), planted by Windrush generation Caribbean Christians in the 1950s, is one of the oldest, and Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), founded in London by Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, is among the largest single congregations in the country. Our guides to Black majority churches in the UK and finding a Black church near you cover this scene in more depth.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be Nigerian to attend?
Not at all. RCCG parishes are intentionally open to everyone, and many congregations are increasingly mixed. Services are in English, and visitors are greeted warmly whatever their background.
Is RCCG Pentecostal?
Yes. RCCG holds classic Pentecostal convictions: the authority of the Bible, personal conversion, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit for today. You can browse all Pentecostal churches in the directory, or start with our general Pentecostal guide.
How do I find service times?
Use the finder above, browse by county, or search for the parish by name; most publish times on their own website or social media. Sunday services typically begin between 9 and 11am.