War in God’s house: How power tussle destroyed Assemblies of God Church

Assemblies of God church members fighting

AVAILABLE statistics showed that the Assemblies of God Church has a population of over 2.6 million members worshipping in over 14,300 churches spread in Nigeria with its headquarters in Enugu, Enugu State.  It has planted more than 50 missionaries in nine countries across the world with over 11,650 ministers.

War in the house of God: Assemblies of God Church sacks general superintendent

Emeka

The Assemblies of God Church has announced the excommunication of its past General Superintendent, Rev. Paul Emeka, from the church

But reacting to the development, Emeka said the action was a “coup.”

While announcing the removal of its spiritual leader’s dismissal from the ministry with his pastoral certificate withdrawn, the church also announced the emergence of Rev. Chidi Okoroafor as the new General Superintendent of the church.

Finally: Oyedepo opens up at 60, tells the story of his life, wife, church, universities + controversies

Oyedepo and wife

The founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, is 60 years old today (Saturday). In a recent media chat with journalists in commemoration of his birthday and attended by Gbenro Adeoye, Oyedepo says he heartily welcomes being called Africa’s wealthiest pastor.

You were rated by Forbes as the richest pastor in Africa, how do you feel about this considering that people often say that wealth and righteousness are not the best of friends?

May I say here that God owns the silver and the gold and he’s the most Holy God. If wealth and righteousness are not best of friends, there is no way God will be the wealthiest of all because of his fullness we have all received. I think there is no father who wishes his children poverty. I have children, is it okay to now say two of you should be poor, two of you should be fair, and one of you should be a beggar? If God is truly a father, he will not wish his children to be poor. The wealth of every parent is reflective in their children, so it’s not an issue. I believe wealth and righteousness are the best of friends. Abraham, the friend of God, was the wealthiest in his time. Job, the wealthiest, was God’s pride. There is none like him on the earth. How do you feel when they say you’re the richest? If you make first class in school, how do you feel? You feel good. You’re not the greatest thief. You’re the wealthiest, so I feel good about it. It’s better to be a wealthy pastor than to be a beggar.

Jonathan congratulates, celebrates Bishop Oyedepo at 60

L-R: Jonathan, Oyedepo

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday congratulated the Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, who clocks 60 years on today.

Jonathan extolled what he described as Oyedepo’s massive accomplishments as a devoted servant of God and his immense contributions to the education of Nigerian children.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, which was made available to SHOWBIZPLUSng, the President in a congratulatory letter said the clergyman’s life was “truly worthy of celebration.”

He urged Oyedepo to continue to partner with him in his administration’s quest to reposition the country for peace, progress and prosperity.

Murder at the Synagogue: Entertainers condemn TB Joshua...Want government to shut down church

Joshua

Angry and disappointed entertainers have come out to openly condemn and berate Prophet TB Joshua following the recent tragedy that killed hundreds of people when a two storey building that was being raised to six storey collapsed at the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) in Ikotun, Lagos State.

The building, which collapsed last week belongs to the embattled and controversial preacher from Ondo State. 

 They also castigated TB Joshua for the tragedy, which they said was avoidable. The mourning entertainers also called on the government to sanction the church and its leaders for negligence and waste of innocent lives by shutting it down indefinitely.

Below are their reactions:

Dimgba's shoes too big for anybody- Gen Toun

Igwe

After spending over two decades together in a church where they were both founding members, Major-General Paul A. Toun (rtd.), the General Overseer of Evangel Pentecostal Church, Lagos, says the shoes of the late Vice Chairman of The Sun Publishing Limited and Associate Publisher of Entertainment Express and Sunday Express Newspapers, Pastor Dimgba Igwe, would be too big for anyone to step into. In this interview, he explained what he knew about his deputy and how he handled issues with the seasoned journalist whenever they had contrary views on church matters. To him, the magnitude of the loss Dimgba’s death has brought to the church cannot be quantified.

Excerpts:

Ebola: Fashola’s men storm T.B Joshua’s Synagogue…Warn church against harbouring victims

Joshua

Officials of Lagos State Government and some federal delegates on Sunday paid a visit to the General Overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet Temitope Joshua.

The visit, SHOWBIZPLUSng learnt was aimed at sensitising the church and its membership on the menace of the deadly Ebola virus.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who led the delegation, said it was also to make sure that no victim of the virus came into the church from any of the affected countries.