On September 16, 2025, members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Rumuokwurushi Parish in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, staged a protest during a regular service, driven by frustration over the rapid transfer of five pastors within a single year. The parish, part of RCCG’s Victory Centre Zone in Rivers Province 1, saw dozens of members, primarily women and youth, disrupt proceedings to demand the return of a preferred pastor. Chanting slogans like “Either they return our pastor, or we shut this place down!” and “We want our pastor back!” the protesters expressed dismay at what they perceived as destabilizing leadership changes imposed by RCCG’s headquarters without sufficient consultation.
The demonstration, which involved standing on pews and displaying placards, lasted approximately 30-45 minutes and was captured in multiple videos that circulated widely online.The core grievance centered on RCCG’s practice of frequently rotating pastors, a policy designed to maintain accountability and distribute experienced leaders across its vast network of over 50,000 parishes worldwide. In Rumuokwurushi’s case, parishioners argued that five pastoral changes in one year disrupted spiritual continuity and community cohesion.
