Former Chairman of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in the United Kingdom, Pastor Agu Irukwu is among the officiating ministers at the funeral of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
Irukwu is believed to be the only black pastor to officiate at the queen’s burial.
The ceremony takes place Monday, September 19.
Irukwu who still maintains his pastoral role in the RCCG as the Senior Pastor of Jesus House, United Kingdom, is one of the eight pastors representing the churches of England at the event.
Irukwu stepped down as the chairman of UK RCCG in April 2021. He also ceased from being the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Executive Council of the RCCG in the UK and the Deputy Continental Overseer of the church in Europe.
He told the RCCG that the decision to step down from the position was personal. He however said he would maintain his pastoral role at the Jesus House as the Senior Pastor.
His being an officiating pastor at the Queen’s burial is not unexpected.
The website of the church informed that Irukwu was conferred with the inaugural Alphege Award for Evangelism and Witness by the Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby at Lambeth Palace in 2016.
The award was after St. Alphege the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1006 to 1012. The Archbishop was reputed for his simplicity, wise and holy counsel, as well as care for the poor.
Pastor Irukwu was also elected Churches Together in England (CTE) Pentecostal President in 2017, making him one of six CTE Presidents.
A graduate of the University of Warwick, Coventry, UK, Pastor Irukwu was a former Investment Banker prior to his decision to go into full-time Christian ministry.
In his various roles in the RCCG mission, Irukwu is said to have been committed to the promotion of good governance for the church.
He is described as a “very practical and down-to-earth preacher, his ministry is characterised by a desire to see revival in the UK and help build men and women of faith who will achieve their God-given purposes in life.”
Irukwu is the son of Prof Joe Irukwu, a foremost insurance expert. He is married to Pastor Shola Irukwu.