Paul Adefarasin

Paul Adefarasin
Born	(1963-01-25) 25 January 1963 (age 59) Nigeria
Occupation	Minister, Thought-Leader, Philanthropist
Title	Pastor
Spouse(s)	Ifeanyi Adefarasin
Children	3
Parent(s)	Joseph Adefarasin (father) Hilda Adefarasin (mother)

Paul Adeolu Adefarasin is a Christian Minister, Thought-Leader, Philanthropist, Author and Speaker. He is the Founder of The House On The Rock, a multiracial and multifaceted non-denominational Church with 77 parishes and fellowships across Africa and Europe.

With more than 30 years of pastoral and visionary leadership experience, Paul is sought after to share his expertise across many sectors. For upwards of 20 years, he has hosted the programme ‘Something Is About To Happen’, which airs across Africa, Europe, and North America on terrestrial and satellite television.^[1][2][3]

Early life[]

Paul Adefarasin was born on 25 January 1963 to Honourable Justice Joseph Adefarasin, Chief Justice of Lagos State from Ijebu Ode, and Hilda Adefarasin, a women's rights activist of Caribbean descent and the former president of the National Council of Women's Societies (NCWS). He is a brother to Rev. Wale Adefarasin, Adebola Adefarasin, Yinka Ogundipe and Apostle Yemi Adefarasin.^[4] He was raised in Nigeria and the United States.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

Career[]

Adefarasin attended St Saviour's School in Ikoyi, and Igbobi College in Yaba. His secondary school education was at Haileybury College in England.^[11] He went on to study at the University of Miami, graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture. He practised in Florida before returning to Nigeria.^[12][13]

He studied at the where he received a Diploma in Christian Ministry.^[5][8]

Paul Adefarasin is a committed participant in the inter-faith movement that seeks to promote religious understanding and foster tolerance on the continent of Africa and beyond.

Adefarasin is a Life Member of the National Advisory Council and a Member of the Executive Council of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.^[14][15]

He presently is the Lead Regional Co-Chair of the Africa Cabinet; Member of the Global Council and Member of The Executive 12 of Empowered21, which is the largest relational network of leaders of Spirit-Empowered Churches in the world.^[16][17][18]

A mentor to many successful, purpose-driven CEOs, Entrepreneurs, and Ministers, Paul is also steadfast in his determination to raise the next set of torch-bearers in every sphere of industry, thought and ministry. He serves in an advisory capacity to various leaders, policy-makers, and heads of Industry as he seeks to positively influence public policy. Paul works as a bridge-builder, facilitating the exchange of ideas with critical stakeholders, domestic and foreign.  An inspiring motivator, intelligent leader and tireless advocate for the less fortunate, Paul epitomises servant leadership and is well-respected from the provincial streets of his community to the corridors of power.

Philanthropy[]

The Founder and President of The Rock Foundation, a charity committed to undertaking significant humanitarian and social responsibility initiatives including, prison reform, education, and healthcare. Paul has worked assiduously towards the release and rehabilitation of about 3,000 wrongfully imprisoned inmates through the Church prison ministry, which visits prisons across Nigeria.

For two decades plus, The Rock Foundation has organized weekly initiatives that deliver medical aid and food to the destitute, delinquent, and derelict youth, street-walkers, urchins, and drug addicts; engaging, encouraging, and empowering them to participate in available vocational and skills acquisition programmes, technological and sustainability projects. Its inner-city outreaches impact about 200,000 families.

The Rock Foundation has built 100 computer laboratories - equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, and has provided water boreholes in various primary schools across Lagos State. The Rock Foundation has become one of the favourite charities in hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the elderly within the state; due in part to its support through donations of equipment, food, welfare essentials and the annual organization of celebrations, during festive seasons.

As the COVID-19 pandemic challenged the world last year, the Foundation provided medical supplies and more than 15,000 PPE (personal protective equipment) to the local and state government, as part of its COVID-19 relief effort.

The Experience[]

Paul is an innovative trailblazer, who conceptualized and delivered The Experience music concert, an annual event, now in its 15th year, that has become the largest musical concert in Africa. It has a television viewership of millions; with millions more across 180 countries and territories tuning in online.^[1]

Book publications^[1][2][3][]

A motivational speaker and author, Adefarasin has penned inspirational books including:

• Something Is About to Happen
• Change Your World
• The Call For A Performing Generation (Revised)
• Hope On The Go

Discography[]

Adefarasin was also the Composer and Executive Producer of an album produced by the music team of his Church entitled:

• I Still Believe

Awards[]

Paul has been the recipient of an assortment of awards including the:

• Forbes Best of Africa Most Influential Personality of the Year Award 2021;^[19]
• United Nations-backed Most Influential People of African Descent Award;
• Achievers Award for Leadership Excellence by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN);
• Transformation Award by the United Chaplains State of New York;
• Leadership Medal of Honour in Philanthropy Award by the African Leadership Magazine;
• Nigerian Red Cross Society Humanitarian Excellence Award;
• National Sickle Cell Centre Diamond Award;
• Award of Excellence by the Nigerian Prisons Service;
• Lagos State Government Corporate Social Responsibility Award;
• Times Heroes Award by Daily Times of Nigeria.

He has been conferred with honorary citizenships of the State of Georgia and the State of South Carolina, United States of America.

Personal life[]

In June 1995, Paul Adefarasin married Ifeanyi (born September 16, 1972), a professionally trained Banker, and now a respected faith Minister, philanthropist and sought-after speaker, adept at equipping, developing and instigating positive change in her world, one person at a time.^[20][21] Together, they have three children, Hilda, Alvin and Alexander.^[22]

References[]