Pastor Agu Irukwu Explains Voluntary Resignation From RCCG UK Leadership

Pastor Agu Irukwu, former chairman of the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s (RCCG) UK parishes, has explained why he voluntarily stepped down from several leadership positions within the church in April 2021, saying his decision reinforced his conviction that leadership in God’s kingdom is about influence rather than titles.

Irukwu shared his reflections during a recent programme hosted by Pastor Poju Oyemade of The Covenant Nation.

Before his resignation, he served as chairman of RCCG parishes in the United Kingdom, chairman of the church’s Board of Trustees and Executive Council in the country, and Deputy Continental Overseer for Europe. He relinquished those responsibilities but retained his position as pastor of Jesus House, the parish he founded.

Irukwu recalled that following his departure from the leadership positions, the church’s protocol team was uncertain about how to address him because he no longer held a strategic office in the organisation.

He said he told the team to address him as they wished, using the experience to illustrate that leadership should not depend on formal appointments.

According to him, a genuine leader is distinguished by the ability to influence people positively, regardless of whether the person holds an official title.

He cited biblical illustrations of yeast, light and salt to explain the importance of extending positive influence beyond established structures.

Irukwu argued that Christian leadership should be measured by service, personal character and the ability to help others grow rather than by status or self-promotion.

He contrasted leadership based on position with the Christian model, which he said prioritised serving people and producing meaningful results.

The pastor also disclosed that he received numerous invitations to minister at different programmes after stepping down from his leadership roles.

He said accepting every invitation would have left him with insufficient time to pastor Jesus House, reinforcing his decision to concentrate on his local ministry.

Irukwu maintained that lasting influence comes from a close relationship with Jesus Christ, adding that character remained fundamental to effective Christian leadership.

He cautioned against measuring ministry success solely by the size of congregations, arguing that numbers alone did not necessarily reflect meaningful spiritual impact.

He also recalled telling God from the beginning of his ministry that he wanted to make a significant contribution and would rather not remain in the United Kingdom if he could not achieve that purpose.

Irukwu urged Christians seeking to minister in the country to develop a genuine concern for its people and national development.

Reflecting on the importance of national responsibility, he recounted attending a five-hour prayer vigil during which no time was devoted to praying for the country, describing the experience as difficult.

He said Christians should be willing to carry the burdens of others and contribute to the welfare of the societies in which they live.

The pastor urged churches in the United Kingdom to demonstrate a genuine commitment to the country's needs, expressing the belief that such concern would help advance the spiritual renewal they seek.

Irukwu's resignation in April 2021 ended his tenure as chairman of RCCG's UK parishes, as well as his roles on the church's Board of Trustees and Executive Council and as Deputy Continental Overseer for Europe. He continued as senior pastor of Jesus House in London.