Better Than Your Best!

An article in today’s Guardian Newspapers concerning some of the recent charitable works at The SCOAN…

Church offers succour to inventor, first class graduate

AN inventor, Mr. Kehinde Durojaye and a University of Lagos (UNILAG) Electrical/ Electronic Engineering First Class graduate, Miss Olayinka Oduwole, have been offered lifelines by Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua of The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). They got the succour during a service at the Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos headquarters of the church.

Speaking on the occasion, Oduwole, a youth supervisor at the church, who started attending SCOAN when she was five years old, remarked: “I finished secondary school at the age 15 and immediately gained admission into the university. I still recollect how the Prophet would come into our midst, counsel us, tell us about his life history, the challenges he faced and encourage us to be the best we can be. This has really motivated and inspired me.

TB Joshua - Your rewards in life are determined by the problems you solve for someone else

“During my final year, the man of God called me and specifically told me that he wanted me to finish with a first class result. I was surprised and told him I was struggling between first class and second class upper. Prophet Joshua gave me anointed water and I read as if everything depended on it. When the grades came out, even in courses where others were failing, I had an ‘A’ and when my results were compiled, I finished with a first class result.”

At that point, the clergyman declared that the ministry would sponsor her to the best university in the world for her Masters Degree.

On his part, Durojaye said he was named a professor in 1991 shortly after the visit of the then military President, General Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida, came to an exhibition where his projects were displayed. Kehinde is at present a researcher and lecturer at UNILAG.

Speaking on one of his inventions, a land-and-sea vehicle, also referred to as an amphibian vehicle, he stated that he was able to put some materials together to present a faint glimpse of the idea of what he had in him. He added: “This is a new initiative that I invented. I only designed this one to move on land and sea. I started the building of this project right from my childhood. You can call it amphibian jet or a land-and-sea vehicle. I picked some of the materials I used from the refuse bin. I am loaded but because of poverty, I cannot help myself. If I should sit down, I will grow old and will not be able to do all these things. So it is better for me to just go out to struggle.

“I got to The Synagogue Church of All Nations through what I heard the man of God has been doing around the world. I was told he has been assisting people with talent and I believe God is going to use him to help me. I know he is going to help me to shoot this project and reveal it to the world. I am a beneficiary of what the prophet has done for my community in Bolorunpelu, Lagos, where he provided two transformers for the community.”

By Tope Templar Olaiya

SOURCE: The Guardian

Emmanuel TV Haiti Earthquake Relief

A story in Nigeria’s Sunday Sun concerning the Emmanuel TV Haiti Earthquake Relief team who are currently in Haiti with medical personnel and foodstuffs to assist the victims of the tragic earthquake and help in rebuilding the nation…

Synagogue opens field hospital in Haiti
• Plans to adopt 500 orphans

To give medical attention and succour to the wounded and children turned orphans by the devastating earthquake in Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti, the Synagogue church last Sunday flew in a plane -load of medical and food supplies.

In partnership with some foreign charity organizations, the church with headquarters at Ikotun, a suburb in Lagos earlier dispatched an advance team last Saturday to the Caribbean Island. As reported by the church’s satellite television, Emmanuel tv, the advance team and the plane, a chattered cargo plane took off from Miami, Florida, U.S.A.

Haiti Earthquake devastation

The cargo plane with registration number N587 and Emmanuel TV boldly emblazoned on it in blue letters also had on board a team of doctors, nurses and sundry humanitarian workers.

Reporting live for Emmanuel TV, Gary Tange showed viewers the warehouse where the medical and food supplies were stock piled before being loaded aboard the cargo plane.

Haiti Earthquake Rescue

The owner of the plane who also pilots it, Tito Menedez was full of praise for Synagogue and the General Overseer of the church, pastor T.B. Joshua. As televised live last Sunday afternoon before the plane took off, Tito said: “I’m happy to be part of this private effort. Prophet T.B Joshua and Emmanuel TV are great.”

During the church service on Sunday afternoon, prophet Joshua explained why Synagogue is in Haiti, saying: “Haiti has given me sleepless nights. If it means selling my clothes, I’ll do it. We are going to take care of the wounded, the sick, the hungry. We will also adopt at least 500 orphans and take care of them there.”

Speaking to Sunday Sun on the corridor of the church immediately after the service, prophet Joshua further said, “I’m looking at a convenient time to join our team in Haiti. We and our partners want to help.”
He put the cost of the project at $3 million.

By Jossy Idam
Sunday, January 31, 2010

Haiti Earthquake Child Rescue

Mystery Lion Prophecy – The Truth!

Wonders, they say, shall never end! A strange rumor regarding a purported prophecy of TB Joshua about a mysterious lion has been circulating around certain areas of Nigeria of late. To enlighten the confused public, The SCOAN has made an official announcement on their website regarding the issue, also being shown on Emmanuel TV. It reads thus:

“Please take note: Emmanuel TV is our means of communicating a message. We were surprised to receive hundreds of phone calls and emails asking us to confirm whether certain prophetic messages were spoken by Prophet TB Joshua or not, that we were forced to come out and address this issue. Two rumors are currently in circulation: one concerning a lion and the other, an earthquake in Delta State. The news has spread so far that even two popular Nigerian newspapers covered the story.

“The rumours now circulating around Delta State, Nigeria concerning prophecies by Prophet TB Joshua are not true. Do not listen to satanic lies. John 8:44 says that satan is the father of lies. Satan has children, he has sons, he has daughters. He has wives, He has uncles, He has aunties, he has nephews, he has nieces, he has nephews, he has cousins he has grandmothers, he has grandfathers. Do not listen to them. Do not let the father of lies deceive you.

“People of Delta State, Nigeria, we love you. God bless you. We are praying for you. Be advised: All messages of prophecy revealed by God through Prophet T.B. Joshua will be broadcast on Emmanuel TV and subsequently posted on our official websites: www.emmanuel.tv and www.scoan.org.

“Please, do not sit somewhere, hear this or that and come to a hasty conclusion. God requires that we find out the truth from Him first and hold fast to that which is true, as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:21. ”

Mystery lion In Delta???

The bizarre and fake rumour had really spread far, as reflected in the numerous newspaper articles referred to above:

Schools shut in Effurun over ‘mystery’ lion prophecy

By Emma Amaize
WARRI—The panic in Effurun, Delta State, over an alleged prophecy by a Lagos-based prophet that a lion would go haywire, killing its owner and a number of persons between Tuesday and tomorrow, went to a ridiculous dimension with some private school owners and traders in the affected area shutting down their schools and businesses.

The rumour had also spread to Ughelli, where the prophet was purported to have said that there would be an earthquake, as some residents were said to be packing away.

The proprietor of Christ the King School on Jakpa Road, Effurun, was said to have declared Tuesday and Wednesday as holiday for the pupils on the grounds that a lion was going to be on the loose.

The news is actually everywhere in Warri and Effurun and some people have said they would stay indoors tomorrow for fear of the lion.

Nobody could categorically say that the prophet mentioned any person as the owner of the lion, but the news is that a particular business man and popular politician in Jakpa area is the one that has the resources to train a lion.

Yesterday, the politician, who was rumoured to have fled to India with his children, trekked a long distance from his house to Jakpa road for people to see him and know that it was all a lie.

Some people claimed that the lion was used for money-making ritual for the man and that it was going to escape and kill the man to stop his source of money or kill other people for the man to continue to enjoy his wealth.

SOURCE: The Vanguard

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Mysterious’ lion causes panic in Delta community

Residents of Effurun, headquarters of Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, are living in fear, following a report that a killer lion was on the loose.

It was gathered that the panic was sparked off by a prophecy allegedly made by a popular Lagos preacher, Pastor TB Joshua, that the lion would unleash mayhem in the area at the weekend and in the new week.

Although the veracity of the prediction could not be ascertained, the rumour quickly spread, leading to panic and concern among residents, particularly those living around the Praise Centre, Spring Garden Hotel and PB Djebah Estate, among others.

Our correspondent who visited the area at the weekend reported that some residents have already abandoned their homes.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the rumour started last week, following the alleged prophecy that a lion would kill several people.

Some residents, who spoke with our reporter, said a prominent politician in the neighbourhood keeps wild animals, including a lion, as pets. They fear that it was the animal that was being referred to in the prediction.

Mr. Chuks Okeke said he was being inundated with calls from family members and friends about the report.

Okeke also confirmed that the rumour was started by a pastor’s prophecy but it was now a major cause of concern for residents.

The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ekpan Police Station, Mr. Mu’azu Mohammed, said he was not aware of the report.

SOURCE: The Nation

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Residents flee as ‘mystery’ lion causes panic

Residents yesterday continued to flee Aya and other streets around the Praise Centre Area of Effurun, Delta State over fears of a rampaging lion predicted by Lagos preacher, Pastor Temitope Joshua.

No fewer than 50 families have abandoned their homes over concerns that the lion, reportedly being kept by a prominent Urhobo chief in the area, would break loose by 12:00 midnight yesterday.

A visit to some schools, including the Word of Faith Group of Schools, revealed that pupils’ turnout was unusually low.

Also, the issue was a subject of debate at the morning assembly at the New Era Schools, where the authority resolved to monitor the situation closely and advise parents on whether the school would be opened today or not.

Residents have been living in fear over the prophecy allegedly made by Pastor Joshua that the lion would break loose and harm residents.

SOURCE: The Nation

We thank God the truth has been unveiled and the tension in the affected areas is steadily reducing.

To stop hearing rumours, start praying

Church debunks ‘mystery’ lion prophecy

WARRI—THE purported prophecy by a Lagos-based pastor, Temitope Joshua, that a lion would run amok, kill its owner and many other persons in Warri, Delta State, between yesterday and today, has been debunked by a member of the Synagogue Church, Chief Vincent Okudolor.

Many private school owners shut down their schools yesterday in anticipation of the lion but there was none.
Okudolor told Vanguard: “I am surprised that people will believe such rumour and close down their businesses without verifying its authenticity. I called my church headquarters and they told me our pastor, T. B. Joshua, never made any such prophecy.

“The highest authorities in the church said it is not true that there was such a prophecy, and if there was any, it would be relayed on Emmanuel TV and the details would be put on the church’s website. So where are people getting this fake information from?”

Up till yesterday, there was still tension in Warri and Effurun over the mystery lion. As at 10.00 am, some people claimed that security agents have been deployed to Jakpa area of Effurun to shoot dead the lion, which was sighted in the residence of a businessman.

However, Chief Okudulor said, “It’s all lies, there was no prophesy like that by Prophet Joshua, people should stop peddling rumour and maligning the character of other people”.

SOURCE: Vanguard

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Fears over Effurun ‘mystery’ lion allayed

The controversy over the ‘mysterious lion’ in Effurun, Delta State, was laid to rest yesterday when Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi allowed his home to be searched to prove he had no lion or other wild animals.

The former governorship aspirant, who was reported to be keeping the wild cat, and Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Peter Abugewa, dispelled the rumour and advised residents to go about their businesses.

Effurun and other parts of Warri had been paralysed with fear, following reports that a lion allegedly being kept by Gbagi would be let loose.

The rumour, which started late last week, was reportedly as a result of an alleged prophecy by Lagos preacher, Pastor TB Joshua, that the lion would kill several persons, including its owner.

Pastor Joshua denied making such a prophecy.

Gbagi, who with his wife hosted reporters to breakfast at his home yesterday, blamed the rumour on joblessness and advised the state to create jobs for the teeming populace.

He shrugged off the negative publicity occasioned by the rumour, adding that he was unperturbed by the ‘childish’ rumour, which could have been spread by either his political or business enemies, ostensibly to disrupt his progress.

Abugewa condemned the development in its entirety, stressing the report was circulated “to embarrass some persons and to cause instability and disrupt the prevailing peace in the community.”

SOURCE: The Nation

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‘Mystery’ lion: Gbagi dismisses insinuations

WARRI—The man in the centre of the mystery lion rumour that rocked Warri, Delta State, earlier in the week, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has dismissed insinuations of ownership of the lion.

Prophet of the Church of All Nations, Temitope Joshua, was alleged to have prophesied that a lion would run amok in Warri and attack people, and this forced many private school proprietors at Effurun, near Warri, to shut down their schools.

But reacting to the development yesterday, Gbagi, who conducted newsmen round his house, said he had no underground cage where he trained lions, as speculated.

Gbagi, an hotelier in Effurun, said workers of an oil company who had one or two things to do with his hotel panicked also.

“I believe the rumour was borne out of the joblessness of many people,” he said, adding that anybody who had a job to do would not find time to peddle such rumour.”

Though he said he was not training a lion in his house, Gbagi noted that there was no law prohibiting anyone from doing so and wondered why people were not talking about religious inclination, given the fact that he has a church in his compound.

He said he was not interested in joining issues with anybody on the wicked rumour but for the fact that some closed persons called and asked him to “do something about it” because of the negative image it was bringing to him.

The industrialist, who owns the biggest shopping plaza in Delta State, said he was not perturbed, even if it was a strategy by his business competitors to rub mud on his name.

He said if the rumour was the handiwork of politicians, it had only succeeded in making him more popular and told those behind it to hold their gunpowder, saying he would declare him political interest when the time was ripe.

Gbagi called on the government to provide jobs for people, so they could be engaged and do something useful for themselves, rather than engage in rumour peddling, as an idle mind is the Devil’s workshop.

Olorogun Gbagi said his wife and children who were speculated to have been flown to India were with him in Warri. Vanguard saw the wife and children, last Sunday, at the politician’s Woodridge Hotel in Effurun when this reporter went to speak with Gbagi on the raging rumour.

Chairman of Uvwie local government council, Mr. Abugewa, who also spoke to newsmen, said it was a bad, baseless and unfounded rumour, saying he had been trying to trace the source, but to no avail.

Abugewa confirmed that there was confusion in Effurun over the rumour but said the council took steps to douse the ensuing tension , as he went on air to tell the people that there was no iota of truth in it.

SOURCE: Vanguard

The lesson learned from these events is clear: everything we hear and read must be subject to confirmation in the light of God’s Word, because the Bible says that everyone lies to his neighbor (Psalm 12:2).

Love everyone, trust only God!

THRIVING IN THE MIDST OF THORNS

When a man is subjected to persistent barrage of attacks instigated by his foes and detractors, the very simple question to be asked is: What is/are his sin(s)?

The world has seen and heard of the stories of individuals who dared to change the world by involving themselves in peculiar acts and activities; those which are rare and hard to comprehend and understand by the customary reasoning of human. These individuals eventually succeeded in their quest, by being persistent and sustaining their unique ideas, proposition and principles.

Think of a world conquering individual and you will sure see traces of the acts of propaganda, name-calling, smear campaign, slanderous campaign, and the likes, thrown at them by their opposition and detractors.

Jesus Christ

Nelson Mandela

Michelangelo

Thomas Alva Edison

Neil Armstrong

The list above, amongst many others which cannot be mentioned, comprises great men who impacted positively on the lives of their generation and generation yet unborn. Yet, they were criticized, chastised, humiliated, imprisoned and jettisoned, all because of their ideas and unique contributions to their communities.

Certain qualities are common about the lives of these people; they remained persistent and courageous, and paid any price to protect their purpose in life. The lesson to be learnt is clear; for a person to be in the centre of his world, he must be willing to accept criticism of the detractors when they come.

TB Joshua

One man who has consistently thrived in the midst of his detractors is Prophet TB Joshua, the founder of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, Lagos-Nigeria. This man of God with the gift of accurate prophetic declaration, healing, deliverance and preaching of the Gospel, has stunned the world at large with series of prophetic messages that have turned out to be true and confirmed by the recipients.

The very fact that the popularity of this prophet has soared thanks to much criticism he has received from home and abroad, attests to his many trials. In the past decade, he has been bombarded by claims that he is a false prophet of God. In the midst of these, his continued calm and silence has endeared him to many.

So the question is: What is/are the sin(s) of TB Joshua?

1. The fact that he cannot boast of a mentor?

2. The fact that he performs miracles and deliverance?

3. The fact that he issues prophetic statements that turn out to be true?

4. The fact that he is a humble man?

5. The fact that he cannot boast of the best educational qualification?

6. The fact that he prefers to be involved in charitable causes?

7. The fact that he is friend to the needy, beggars, widows, widowers, leaders, presidents, renowned personalities and indeed, friend to all?

8. The fact that he pastors a congregation of citizens of the world?

Whatever his sin(s), let us all be aware that great men attract great rejection. That is what makes them thick. That is the tonic that strengthens them. Imagine the kind of opposition that Jesus Christ and the likes faced in their time.

Would you have believed them then?

SOURCE: World Sentinel

Queens Of The Night – Confessions Of Female Armed Robbers

An article from Nigeria’s newspaper The Sun concerning the recent deliverance and rehabilitation of armed robbers at The SCOAN.

For years, frail – looking Favour held the forte in the Eastern part of the country. She and her gang terrorized and successfully ran the crime scene in Enugu, Awka, Onitsha, Aba Owerri, Abakaliki and Port Harcourt. Dimunitive, comely Mavis and her gang held sway at Benin city Asaba Warri and Sapele. As though on cue, the two dangerous dames came to a church, Synagogue (SCOAN) in a Lagos suburb, Ikotun, and openly confessed. They publicly begged for forgiveness.

Listen to Favour as she gushed like an unstoppable water tap: “My name is Favour (surname withheld). I’m from Enugu State. My father died when I was a small girl. I saw my mother suffering to raise us. So, being the first child, I decided to go out and hustle.

My boyfriend in secondary school helped me. I left my mother and four of my younger ones and ran away with him. I didn’t know the type of job, he was doing but there was money at home. He was always going out and bringing money.

Sometimes, he and his friends would come home and drink and smoke heavily. From the smell of the cigarratte, I knew it was Indian hemp. One night, I smoked it with them. I wasn’t myself for two days. Later I started smoking again and nothing happened to me. Each time I smoked it, I felt strong and powerful.

I started following the boys out at night. We used to rob buses, and houses with big, high walls. Anywhere there is a big fence, there’s money people are hiding there.

Shoot out
At times we ran into police road blocks. That was always not good, we always wanted to bypass such a place but the police used to get tipped off and come after us. When that happened, our boys died. We at times got them too. One day, we even overpowered them. We collected their guns and moved.

Stolen money, cursed money
We make money but we don’t even use it well. I think stolen money is cursed. Yes, it’s blood money. Once we shared it, everyone went his way. We give it to friends, buy more drinks, Indian hemp, Chinese tablets, good clothes that’s all. Nobody cared about going to bank and saving some. We were even afraid of everyone.

Ballooned
I later became pregnant. When I noticed it, I stopped going out for operations. I stayed at home until I delivered a baby boy. He’s four years old now. I know something will go wrong one day. I was always afraid. After so many years away from home, I decided to go and look for my mother. I found her but I didn’t tell her what I was doing. I lied to her that I was working and schooling.

Tragic end
Two months after reconciling with my mother, my boyfriend died. I was told he died in a shootout with the police. I took my son home to my mother. I dropped him there and continued. I started leading the gang. We went to places. We got charms for protection. I avoided my mother. She sells food-stuff. When she goes to market, I go into the house to see my son. I’ll leave money for them and run.

U-Turn
I came here because I saw what he (Prophet T. B. Joshua) has done for other people like me on Emmanuel Television. Please I beg God and all of you to forgive me. I know I’ve lived a useless life. I want to start a new life and be good person. If not for God, I would have died like my boyfriend and others.

Double life
Born in Delta State, Mavis like a Favour was raised by a single parent – her mother. According to her, her parents divorced when she was still a toddler. She became a teenage mother. She claims her boyfriend also introduced her to prostitution, armed robbery and other vices. Hear her: I became pregnant and went to live with the boy responsible for it. After delivering a baby boy – he’s now six years old, life became tough – no money, no food, nothing at all. So, I began doing all types of things to survive.

At night, I’ll dress and pose at street corners. Because I’m yellow (fair in complexion), car owners would see me and stop. They would carry me and pay me N2,000 for short time. If it’s all night, I got up to N4,0000. If the man is rich I will go to the toilet and phone the boys. I’ll tell them the house number and every thing. When they come. They will tie us up and beat all of us. After the robbery, I’ll get my own cut. It depends on the amount, they always gave me a good portion because I arranged every thing.

Drugged
The man may not suspect, I at times put sleeping pills in his drink and he would sleep. While the man was sleeping, I’d take his money, phones and valuables and go away. When I did that, nobody would see me around for weeks. I usually went away to another town.

Roaming large
Port Harcourt used to be good until cult and militant boys drove away oil workers and businessmen. The Oyibo boys were easy to rob. When they take you to night club, you’ll phone the boys and they will come and waylay (ambush) us.

Warri was also a good place. The oil workers used to give us money. I’ve also carried gun and went with the boys for operations. One company wanted to pay their workers. Someone inside told us and we attacked. We got the money that day. As we were going, and saw crowd, we threw bundles of money at them.

Now I’m tired of that type of life. I don’t want to go back to that life again. Please help me.

A pastor who wanted anonymity told Sunday Sun the two women would undergo a rigorous prayer session before being rehabilitated. “We wont leave them alone. We’ll monitor and mentor them” the pastor said.

By Jossy Idam (jidam14@yahoo.com)
Sunday, January 10, 2010

SOURCE: The Sun

After their confession and deliverance, both Mavis and Favour spent some weeks in The SCOAN for a period of rehabilitation and reformation. As part of Another Ministry, the humanitarian arm of The SCOAN, they were then given N200,000, a Holy Bible and four bags of rice, ready to start a new life in Christ.

The evidence of Jesus Christ is lives changed!

Botswana Minister of Justice, Defence and Security visits The SCOAN

An article from Botswana’s Mmegi concerning the recent visit of Botswana’s Minister of Justice, Defence and Security, Ramadeluka Seretse to The SCOAN…

Minister of Justice, Defence and Security Ramadeluka Seretse, has said he is very impressed with the power of God in the life of Prophet TB Joshua of Nigeria.

The minister recently travelled to Nigeria to meet Joshua. “I was very impressed and moved by the power God has given to him, and the way he helps the poor people,” said Seretse, a devout Christian.

Botswana Minister of Justice, Defence and Security

He explained that he went to visit Joshua in his private capacity. He said he has had encounters with local prophets, but none of them match Joshua. “Don’t even try to go that far because as an individual, I can go anywhere,” he said. He added that Joshua has said that God loves Botswana despite what he called negative reportage by local media during his visit in 2005. Seretse said that the local media is always reporting negatively about the country and the government and people in other countries are surprised at what is happening to the ‘lovely country’ that they know Botswana to be.

“They read your newspapers and they enquire what is going on. God will prevail on you guys to be more sensible and logical and to love yourselves,” he said sounding even more spiritual. He emphasised that there is lack of objective reporting in Botswana.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka - also visited The SCOAN

Seretse is not the first prominent politician from Botswana to seek the services of Joshua. When the prophet first came to Botswana in 2005, the former leader of Botswana National Front (BNF) Dr Kenneth Koma tried his luck to see him. The prophet spent a week in Gaborone assisting people with different ailments. Early this year, besieged BNF president Otsweletse Moupo went to Nigeria to seek the blessings of Joshua. He came back home a happy man and apparently so is Seretse. The Prophet’s Emmanuel TV recently broadcast a clip of Seretse being introduced among other prominent African personalities in the congregation. Also spotted at the Prophet’s sermons was former president of Zambia Frederick Chiluba, South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka and others.

BAME PIET – Staff Writer

SOURCE: Mmegi Online

TB Joshua Makes Me Happy To Be A Nigerian – Senator

An article from the prestigious Guardian newspaper of Nigeria concerning the remarks of a Nigerian senator about the impact Emmanuel TV has had on himself and his nation…

Senator lauds church’s role in tourism growth

THE Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Anthony Agbo, has praised The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), for its contribution to Nigeria’s development, especially the Federal Government’s re-branding efforts.

The lawmaker noted that the SCOAN and its pastor, Temitope Balogun Joshua, have contributed immensely to tourism development in the country. Agbo, who spoke to reporters said that after watching the SCOAN’s Emmanuel TV, he was overwhelmed by what he saw there.

He explained that the number of foreigners who troop to the church made him think about any other spot in the country that could attract such mammoth influx of people into Nigeria, stressing that such outlet could only be possible as a blessing of God.

He therefore called on the government to bestow the highest national honour award of Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON) on Pastor Joshua for his efforts to improve Nigeria’s image and alleviate the people’s sufferings in various ways.

His words: “I want to talk about something Nigerians have not been talking about all this while. You know whenever we want to talk about the country’s independence, we talk of how painful the Nigerian state has been or how such a failure it has become. But I want to speak on a particular element, even in our country, which is so attractive to me and my personal disposition. I am talking about Pastor T. B. Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations. I am a practising Christian of the Catholic denomination. But any area I notice some fundamental value to this country I have a sense of responsibility to point out.”

The senator who is also the National Patron of National Association of Disabled Persons in Nigeria, disclosed that though it was not too long he stumbled upon Emmanuel TV, he has become addicted to it more than other news channel, pointing out that the influx of citizens of different countries from many continents to benefit from healing and the un-paralleled charity works of the Synagogue made him happy to be a Nigerian.

Agbo, who represents Ebonyi North senatorial district, maintained that no single institution in the country has attracted different people from all over the world to Nigeria, describing Joshua as the greatest brand any country can ever wish to have, even as he called on other wealthy citizens and organisations to emulate the pastor’s worthy example.

“Watching Emmanuel TV, I cannot see myself fail to glorify God for giving this kind of gift and man of God to Nigeria. If you watch this TV channel, you will discover that the Synagogue Church of All Nations has made Nigeria one of the world’s hottest spots for religious tourism. You see the trains of different nationals, see them receive healing and instant solution to their problems and it does not stop with the healing and deliverances that are wrought by God, but when you now look at the level of the charity works this man is rendering to Nigerians that deserve them you would be overwhelmed,” he stated.

He added: “In Emmanuel, I see in contrast how an individual is being used by God to gather all the people rejected by the society, dwarfs who nobody wants to associate with, widows with pathetic and plaintive cries as well as disabled persons who live under the bridges and on the streets of all states in Nigeria. He clothes, feeds and rehabilitates them. Mother Theresa of Calcutta got the Nobel prize and highest award in India. From what I have seen on Emmanuel TV, that man of God, Pastor T. B Joshua, deserves the national award in our country, GCON.

“Not only for his charitable works, but that award would also serve to glorify God. It is not for him as a person but to God for giving this gift to Nigeria and Africa, especially for bringing troubled souls from all corners of the globe to Nigeria to receive answers to their psycho-social problems. So I am really overwhelmed and I want it on record that I deeply glorify God for the gift of this man of God to Nigeria. And I am calling on President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, to give the highest national award to this Pastor. This should not be personalised because it is God that is work.

From Leo Sobechi, Abakaliki

SOURCE: The Guardian

Prophet TB Joshua And Constant Criticisms

An opinion article published in the Nigerian Compass concerning the ministry of Prophet T.B. Joshua…

Many Nigerians are gainfully employed and many are not,in fact cannot even brag of a regular source of monthly income. But both the employed and the unemployed share same status;that of the liberty to express themselves,set agenda and contribute to public opinion. Opinion translates into an issue when it is an informed opinion, but alas even when it is not, like a wild fire, it burns and it becomes inextinguishable until it achieves its desired effect which is likely to glorify or detract one’s fame.

Opinion translates into an issue when it is an informed opinion,but alas even when it is not, like a wild fire, it burns and it becomes inextinguishable until it achieves its desired effect which is likely to glorify or detract one’s fame.

Prophet T.B. Joshua is a phenomenon both locally and internationally,if not for anything but for his somewhat prophetic accuracies and charity. With respect to his calling as a prophet, he has distinguished himself as a humble,wealthy and miraculous worker just like some of his colleagues and contemporary pastors.

The grouse against him therefore may not be unconnected to his style of ministry;that of instantaneous and unprecedented healing and cardinally that of giving hope to the needy,which obviously is lacking in other religious ministries. This feat instead of earning him grace and accolades had by way of reverse made him a victim of constant and untamed criticisms. The most interesting aspect of these religious leaders is that they have become a brand.

Some are known for their grandiloquence, some are famous for miracles, sheep-like humility and generosity, some for their good looks and high sense of style, while others are known for their hard stance and criticisms of the government. Alas,among all these niches that they have carved for themselves, no one had made headlines more than Prophet T.B. Joshua. What about him? He is a very humble person,he may not be an eloquent speaker,yet he passes his message so succinctly to the comprehension of his congregation. He is the only pastor that is non-discriminatorily caring for the needy especially the widows and orphans. He is miraculous. He is unlike other great pastors that cannot even be reached by ordinary members of their congregation,let alone listening to their plights. He is unlike other pastors who are quite wealthy but all they do is to build institutions of higher learning and charge their students millions of naira and even pay in dollars. Could that be a way of giving back to the society?Far from it.

Jesus Is All The World To Me

His ministry now revolves around prophecies,charity and healing. His prophecies are accurate. I am not a member of his congregation but I have attended twice which informed my opinion of him. I make bold to say that there is nothing strange or mysterious about him and his ministry.

If his critics claim that he is occultic and evil and that his authority does not spring from God,then they should also be occultic,solve people’s problems and help the needy. Even the scripture attest to it that the greatest good is looking after widows and orphans in their tribulations. Does anyone really know what others are doing in their privacies?Why should we continue to question what we do not have answers to? Why are we usurping the role of the creator who is the ultimate judge? As for me, i have concluded that constant criticism is the strength of the prophet. It makes his grace to abound,it increases his life span.

SOURCE: 01 January 2010 – Nigerian Compass

By Jonathan Eze
ezejustice88@yahoo.com

2010: Happy Fresh Beginning From T.B. Joshua!

Emmanuel! Happy Fresh Beginning!

Happy Fresh Beginning!

A New Year has arrived! And as Prophet TB Joshua declared at the LIVE Candle-Night Service at The SCOAN to usher in 2010, it is the year of a fresh beginning! This year is a year to be opened with prayer. After you have done this, you will be able to say with the Psalmist, “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

As you celebrate the opening of a new decade, reflect on this short message:

A new year is a gift from God, a part of the divine nature of God. In the New Year therefore, you are called to God’s kind of lifestyle – His divine essence. Not in terms of unfaithfulness, injustice and corruption but in steadfastness, faithfulness and love.

Remember, God is the reason for the year. Nothing of God can be possible unless our heart is pure. Christ tells us, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matthew 5decl:8). If we regard iniquity in our heart, the Lord would not hear us (Psalm 66:18).

In the New Year, dedicate your heart to the Word of God, meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:8). I mean, let God’s Word abide in you and you in it (John 15:4). This is God’s kind of life. Knowing that we have come a long way, full of self-righteousness, (which boasts in itself) labour, pain, want and so forth, Jesus Christ says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). To receive this rest, you have a role to play. Show your faith as someone who wants to come to Jesus – since Jesus says, “Come”.
Do you want a New Year in your life? Stop looking at where you are coming from and start looking at where you are going.

This is the year that that the Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it!

What a God we have to worship, what a Son we have to praise, what a future lies before us! Remember, better is not good enough, the best is yet to come in 2010!

Giving: The True Essence Of Christmas

To many, christmas is a time of celebration and joy – but as much as it a time for this, it is also a time to give. Jesus Christ desires and deserves your best – because He has given you His best. Christmas therefore is a time to give your best – your best time, love, strength, energy, effort – every good thing the Lord has given you. This is the true essence of christmas…

This christmas, Pastor TB Joshua demonstrated that there is more joy in giving than in receiving! It is challenge for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the acts of giving in this festive season. Read on…

One of the biggest problems ever present in the average Nigerian community is that of electricity supply. In most places, power supply is very epileptic, so much so that it cripples economic activities.

The government of the nation has continuously failed in its promises to deliver stable electricity supply to the people, and so the people have resorted to generating their private power via mechanical generating sets, which cost a fortune to acquire and much more to maintain. These developments create a big vacuum for those people who cannot afford to purchase their own generating sets as well as keep them running.

Worse still is the case of some communities which cannot boast of a reliable transformer to meet their electrical needs. Such communities are left in a world of their own; which is primarily a world of darkness and lack of access to electricity supply. In a bid to fend for themselves, these communities have to organise themselves to form a unit and thrive to pull funds in order to purchase their transformer. The realisation of the fact that these transformers actually cost a fortune effectively puts an end to their quest to acquire them. Finally, the last resort; which will only apply to those who are fortunate enough to have the opportunity is to appeal to well-to-do members of their community who can afford to purchase the transformer for them, and have the track record of philanthropic propensity.

The above scenario played itself out recently when members of the sleepy Bolorun-pelu neighbourhood of Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos, came to thank Prophet TB Joshua for his philanthropic activities that have ensured that they would cease to live in darkness and enjoy the benefits of accessibility to constant electric light.

Christmas is all about giving

Thursday October 2009, was the day. Members of the community were greeted with a very loud sound that emanated from the electrical transformer at the entrance of their community. The loud sound signalled the disruption of regular electrical supply to the community. Immediate efforts were put in place to ensure that the transformer was restored to its previous functional state; efforts which ended in futility. At this point, the community leaders decided to table their plight with their benevolent neighbour, Prophet TB Joshua, whose characteristic charitable gestures have endeared him to many.

Originally, the community was using a single transformer. This was the primary cause of the collapse of the transformer, as it was unable to function for the community due to overload.

Representatives of the community converged at The Synagogue Church of All Nations to inform Prophet TB Joshua of their predicament and appealed for his support in their quest to purchase a new transformer.

Responding to their appeal, Prophet TB Joshua reiterated that he saw the community as his neighbour and would ensure that he loved them to the best of his ability and put smiles back on their faces. He promised to purchase two transformers for the community and ensure that they were both installed.

On Monday 21st December 2009, a large number of the community members turned out at The Synagogue Church Of All Nations to create a carnival-like atmosphere as they came to thank Prophet TB Joshua for purchasing and installing two transformers for their community. The spokesperson for the group recalled how the whole episode began.

He said: “My name is Adeleke Luqman and I represent the people who have come here today to say a very big thank you to Prophet TB Joshua for making sure that we, his neighbours will never be put to shame and ensuring that we can boldly say to the whole world that we are neighbours to Propjet TB Joshua and the Synagogue.”

“We came here recently to complain to Prophet TB Joshua that we have been suffering from power supply for some time. This we did because in the past he has been the one that we always run to for help whenever we have any problem that is bigger than us to solve, and each time he would make sure that we go back home with joy.”

He continued: “When we came, we told him of our predicament and he promised us that he would ensure that we would not complain about transformer again. We went home happily because like I said, anytime we come to him to help us for anything he always tells us that we are his neighbour and anything that bothers us will also bother him, so he will solve the problem for us. For example, the last transformer that just got spoilt, he is the one that bought it for us and many other things like that.”

Transformers Donated By TB Joshua

He concluded: “We have come now to thank him because now we are happy that the transformers have been bought, not only that, but it has also been installed and now we are enjoying our power supply thanks to the support of Prophet TB Joshua. That is why we are here today to say a big thank you to him and to thank God for his life. We are also living witnesses to the good things that God is using Prophet TB Joshua to do. Some of us are not Christians, yet he does not discriminate against us, he takes us as one of his own.”

At the end of the ceremony, Prophet TB Joshua instructed that each member of the community that came out on the day be presented with a bag of rice for the celebration of the yuletide. In addition, the leader of the community was handed the sum of N 300, 000 cash.

SOURCE: Modern Ghana

A letter of appreciation from a member of the community:

James 1:27 “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

I have been in Bolorunpelu Ikotun for over 5 years now.

Though I am not a member of his church, but I have watched Prophet T.B Joshua of The Synagogue Church Of All Nations Ikotun Lagos, influence the lives of the people of the area and the whole world positively. As per the local Bolorunpelu Town in Ikotun Lagos Nigeria, I have seen great positive changes in the economic environment and lives of the people because of the presence of the church. Not to go too far . The issue of today is about the recent generous actions of Prophet T.B. Joshua to the people of Bolorunpelu Town and environ.

Christmas is a time to give your best

About 5 months ago, the transformer at Bolorunpelu exploded and was burnt to the ground, plunging everyone into darkness. The Great Prophet T.B Joshua with a heart of gold and sympathy saw this situation , then made a promise to the community to provide them with a brand new transformer to solve their recurrent electricity problem once and for all. True to his word , he donated two brand new transformers to the community, and without any financial contribution from the community installed them. As of Monday 21st December 2009, the transformers have being fully installed and electricity have returned to the community. All thanks to the Great Prophet T.B. Joshua of The Synagogue Church of All Nations.

I am taking this oppurtunity to personally thank Prophet T. B. Joshua , and wishing him the very best at this wonderful season of Christmas . God will definitely pay him back positively and prosper him more. As he has come to the aid of the fatherless and widows at this time, God will come to his aid always.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY PROSPEROUS NEWYEAR

Regards

Dr. Victor Efughi
JOAS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIX
Bolorunpelu, Ikotun, Lagos, Nigeria.

SOURCE: JOAS Medical Blog

“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.”