The story of GDEP (God’s Department) is a testament to vision, leadership, obedience, and divine purpose.
In 2002, under the divine leading of God, the pastorate of RCCG Strong Tower Parish, Manchester — Pastors Yomi and Mofe Obadimeji — received a clear vision to intentionally raise, disciple, and empower the next generation of kingdom leaders. With a burning desire to see the youth grow spiritually and socially, they birthed the vision of a Youth Church that would not be a side ministry, but a God-centred department with identity, structure, and relevance.
To bring this vision to life, Mrs. Irantiola Adeosun was prayerfully appointed by the pastorate as the pioneer and sole youth teacher. A passionate mentor, teacher, and nurturer, she laid the foundation for what would become a thriving youth ministry.
The youth began meeting at the Cayton Centre, where they often held open discussions. It was during one of these vibrant moments that one of the youths, Mayowa Solebo, suggested a name that reflected both identity and mission — “God’s Department”, lovingly shortened to GDEP. That name became the banner of the Youth Church and has remained ever since.
Mrs. Adeosun’s first group of youths — now grown, married, and doing well — included beloved names like Jumoke Afolabi, Tope Job, Mayowa and Maryam Solebo, Peggy Edem, among others. These young people were discipled not only on Sundays but also in house fellowship sessions held twice monthly at her home, where spiritual and personal growth were fostered.
As the ministry expanded, a team of dedicated teachers joined hands in the work, including:
From Cayton Centre, the youth church moved to Print Works, and later transitioned to the main church facility at Newton Heath, where they initially worshipped in the church basement. With time and growth, GDEP moved into its own dedicated cabin space, a physical symbol of the growth and independence the vision had attained.
GDEP has always been about raising wholesome, godly, and balanced youth. To this end, creative and practical programs were introduced. One such was the Love Feast, which encouraged youth (especially the boys) to cook their favourite meals and share with others — challenging stereotypes and teaching life skills. This inspired the culture of creativity and expression that birthed the annual event:
GDEP’s Got Talent – an energetic showcase of gifts in music, dance, drama, mime, and spoken word. This August 2025, we celebrated our 18th GDEP’s Got Talent, to the glory of God!
Today, GDEP continues to thrive under the unwavering support of the Senior Pastors Yomi and Mofe Obadimeji, and current leadership structure:
Other passionate youth teachers:
The story of GDEP (God’s Department) is a testament to vision, leadership, obedience, and divine purpose.
In 2002, under the divine leading of God, the pastorate of RCCG Strong Tower Parish, Manchester — Pastors Yomi and Mofe Obadimeji — received a clear vision to intentionally raise, disciple, and empower the next generation of kingdom leaders. With a burning desire to see the youth grow spiritually and socially, they birthed the vision of a Youth Church that would not be a side ministry, but a God-centred department with identity, structure, and relevance.
To bring this vision to life, Mrs. Irantiola Adeosun was prayerfully appointed by the pastorate as the pioneer and sole youth teacher. A passionate mentor, teacher, and nurturer, she laid the foundation for what would become a thriving youth ministry.
The youth began meeting at the Cayton Centre, where they often held open discussions. It was during one of these vibrant moments that one of the youths, Mayowa Solebo, suggested a name that reflected both identity and mission — “God’s Department”, lovingly shortened to GDEP. That name became the banner of the Youth Church and has remained ever since.
Mrs. Adeosun’s first group of youths — now grown, married, and doing well — included beloved names like Jumoke Afolabi, Tope Job, Mayowa and Maryam Solebo, Peggy Edem, among others. These young people were discipled not only on Sundays but also in house fellowship sessions held twice monthly at her home, where spiritual and personal growth were fostered.
As the ministry expanded, a team of dedicated teachers joined hands in the work, including:
From Cayton Centre, the youth church moved to Print Works, and later transitioned to the main church facility at Newton Heath, where they initially worshipped in the church basement. With time and growth, GDEP moved into its own dedicated cabin space, a physical symbol of the growth and independence the vision had attained.
GDEP has always been about raising wholesome, godly, and balanced youth. To this end, creative and practical programs were introduced. One such was the Love Feast, which encouraged youth (especially the boys) to cook their favourite meals and share with others — challenging stereotypes and teaching life skills. This inspired the culture of creativity and expression that birthed the annual event:
GDEP’s Got Talent – an energetic showcase of gifts in music, dance, drama, mime, and spoken word. This August 2025, we celebrated our 18th GDEP’s Got Talent, to the glory of God!
Today, GDEP continues to thrive under the unwavering support of the Senior Pastors Yomi and Mofe Obadimeji, and current leadership structure:
Other passionate youth teachers:
Through the years, GDEP has remained focused on:
Today, what began as a vision in the heart of the pastorate has grown into a vibrant movement shaping lives for Christ and preparing God’s generals for the future.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
“One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.” – Psalm 145:4
As we look back in thanksgiving and look forward in hope, we boldly proclaim:
GDEP — still God’s Department, still God’s Own Project!
Through the years, GDEP has remained focused on:
Today, what began as a vision in the heart of the pastorate has grown into a vibrant movement shaping lives for Christ and preparing God’s generals for the future.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
“One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.” – Psalm 145:4
