'I Didn't Plan To Lead A Church, I Wanted To Be A Lawyer...'
iBelieve Magazine|August 2017

It’s been an unexpected journey from law to church leadership for Agu Irukwu, but the Nigerian is rapidly establishing himself as one of Britain’s most influential pastors. Peter Wooding met him

Agu Irukwu
'I Didn't Plan To Lead A Church, I Wanted To Be A Lawyer...'

Less than 65 years old, the Redeemed Christian Church of God is one of the fastest growing denominations in the world with a remarkable 600+ churches in the UK alone.

Their Festival of Life prayer gathering attracts a whopping 45,000 Christians every year and even caught the attention of a Prime Minister, David Cameron, who was a guest speaker in 2015.

But that is dwarfed by the movement’s monthly all-night miracle services in Nigeria, which attract an average congregation of half a million people!

The man in charge of the British operation of RCCG is someone who had no intention of being in Christian ministry. In fact, when Agu Irukwu first came to the UK from his home country, Nigeria, he dreamed of becoming a top lawyer.

But today, as well as leading a thriving church at Brent Cross, Jesus House, whose glamorous glass building just off junction One of the M1 is hard to miss – Pastor Agu is one of Britain’s most recognised leaders.

“Leading Jesus House in London didn’t happen in such a planned way,” he says, smiling.

“I trained as a lawyer primarily because 90 per cent of my family are lawyers, so it was the kind of thing you just went ahead and did.”

A seminal moment in Agu’s life came when he gave his life to Christ at a RCCG service in Lagos in 1991. He had grown up in a Christian family but knew this was the moment he had to take God seriously. And while trying to run a law practice he found himself feeling a stronger call to church ministry.

“When I became a serious Christian I got very involved in church,” he says. “I found that I was spending more and more time doing things related to the church and less and less time doing the legal stuff and chasing after briefs.”

Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av iBelieve Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av iBelieve Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA IBELIEVE MAGAZINESe alt
Demonstrating The Heart Of Christ In MCR
iBelieve Magazine

Demonstrating The Heart Of Christ In MCR

Churches across Manchester threw their doors open and stepped into the community following May’s devastating terrorist attack.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2017
Ark At That!
iBelieve Magazine

Ark At That!

When you think of Kentucky, of course you think of fried chicken and the beloved Colonel, bourbon distilleries, country music scenes and maybe horse racing too.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2017
I Wanted To Run From God, But I'm Glad He Caught Me
iBelieve Magazine

I Wanted To Run From God, But I'm Glad He Caught Me

You could say it’s in the family, but Cissie Graham Lynch, granddaughter of the great Billy Graham, is very much a woman of God in her own right. Pete Wooding talked to her

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2017
Striking A Chord To Help The World Worship
iBelieve Magazine

Striking A Chord To Help The World Worship

When it comes to building guitars Dave Sumner knows a thing or two; just ask Sir Paul McCartney. But while his craft has led him to work with icons of the music industry, Dave now gives his life to spreading the power of worship through Guitar Aid.

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2017
The Role Of The Holy Spirit In A Believer's Life
iBelieve Magazine

The Role Of The Holy Spirit In A Believer's Life

The Holy Spirit is as much God as the Father or the Son, so why is he misunderstood? Soul Survivor’s Mike Pilavachi answers some tough questions.

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2017
Reasons To Love Paris
iBelieve Magazine

Reasons To Love Paris

With Valentine’s Day at hand, nowhere compares to the self-proclaimed city of love. Here are ten good reasons why you’ll want to fall in love with Paris.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2017
God Called Me To Be A Missionary To The UK
iBelieve Magazine

God Called Me To Be A Missionary To The UK

Daniel Stanley was enjoying a successful career as an investment banker in India until God asked him to leave everything and head for Great Britain – a place he knew nothing about

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2017
God Spoke To Me While I Lay In A Hospital Bed After A Fight
iBelieve Magazine

God Spoke To Me While I Lay In A Hospital Bed After A Fight

Rushed to hospital and on the verge of death, Paul Hallam somehow recovered. It was a seminal moment. Decades later he leads one of Manchester’s thriving churches

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2017
Joyce Meyer
iBelieve Magazine

Joyce Meyer

We’re instructed to be peacemakers

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2017
I Cried Like A Baby Infront Of Everyone
iBelieve Magazine

I Cried Like A Baby Infront Of Everyone

Kevin Treasure blew tens of thousands on drugs and didn’t give God a second thought. But he met his match when a preacher pulled him out of the crowd. Joy Tibbs spoke to him about his amazing transformation

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2017