After the release of a contentious BBC documentary about Pastor Temitope Joshua, founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Debo Akinyemi, a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, shares his encounters working for the late pastor in an article published by ChurchTimes Nigeria.
Having closely associated with TB Joshua during his time as a journalist, I find it necessary to contribute to the ongoing controversy surrounding the recent expose by the BBC. The divergent opinions on the documentary reflect the divided views on whether he was a genuine man of God.
In my personal assessment, he appeared elusive – challenging to categorize due to his outward charm and inward suspicious behavior. Those who judged him solely on appearance and humility overlooked the biblical warning that outward appearances can be deceiving.
I first encountered him in the late ’90s when he was an itinerant white garment prophet, seeking publicity for his budding church. Later, our paths crossed again when he had become a controversial figure. Learning about his significant influence over a newspaper I joined, The Exclusive, raised concerns, yet I accepted the deputy editor role.
Observing the inner workings of TB Joshua’s church during frequent visits revealed peculiar practices. Meetings scheduled for evenings often commenced well past midnight, accompanied by lavish meals. While I refrained from partaking, colleagues enjoyed the generosity, receiving substantial cash envelopes regardless of the meeting’s significance.
Disciples, predominantly young women, led highly regulated lives, restricted from secular jobs and forbidden to possess money. Despite the controlled environment, they appeared content but lived in fear of the prophet and adhered to a strict code of secrecy.
A disturbing practice involved married couples swapping partners under the pretext of facilitating fertility. Couples, once childless, saw themselves matched with new spouses. TB Joshua even suggested this to a colleague seeking divine intervention.
Despite his seemingly meek persona, reports of TB Joshua’s frequent demonic anger emerged, underscoring the complexities within the church. While my time there was brief, the unsettling observations fueled suspicions. While I refrain from vilifying him posthumously, blind praise is not warranted.
The Bible advises testing spirits, and in assessing TB Joshua, there was an unsettling fog around him, leaving me with suspicions despite his likable demeanor.
Source: ChurchTimes
