By Ebunoluwa Sessou & Olayinka Latona

STRONG indications emerged that Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, the former Senior Pastor at the City of David parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG has floated his personal ministry called ‘The Family Fellowship’.

Iluyomade was suspended from the RCCG in 2024 and asked to report at the church’s headquarters in Ebute Meta.

The reason for his suspension was not made public but it was not unconnected with his handling of the Trinity Tower of the City of David and his wife’s controversial birthday celebration shortly after the tragic death of Herbert Wigwe, the then Managing Director of Access Banks who was a prominent member of the church.

Pastor Iluyomade, who took to his Instagram handle a few days ago, invited the public to the maiden service which took place at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island in Lagos.

The message reads: “The Family Fellowship invites you specially. Join us tomorrow at the Civic Centre for a special time in the Lord’s presence. Promises to be a great experience.”

The cleric, in a viral video, was seen celebrating and dancing with members during the service.

Vanguard gathered that the cleric held a Christmas concert with some dignitaries at the Eko Hotel and Suites last December under the new ministry’s name.

A source within the RCCG, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “I am not sure if Pastor Iluyomade tendered his resignation letter to the leadership of the RCCG but I saw the video circulating the social media indicating he has started a new ministry.

“His suspension ended after the annual Holy Ghost Congress and he attended the September Holy Ghost service, although there are speculations that he wasn’t happy with the church leadership.”

Asked whether he got the approval of the RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the source said, ‘There is a strong belief that Pastor Idowu Iluyomade received the blessings of Pastor EA Adeboye before he started the Church. This may be the explanation for his sudden appearance during one of the Holy Communion Services of RCCG in Redemption City late last year. He must have gone there to get the blessing of Pastor Adeboye. But I can’t say that authoritatively.”

It was further gathered that Iluyomade has been holding a small fellowship with some people in his law firm in Victoria Island for some weeks now.

The source said: “It is true that the erstwhile pastor of the RCCG has started a new worship centre.”