ALL NATIONS PRAY

The Saturday and Sunday services at The SCOAN , February 9-10, 2013, were attended by people with a passion for the presence of God from all over the world. The services were marked by the astounding healings and hard-hitting deliverances in Jesus’ name, sounding a strong spiritual wake up call to an unbelieving generation wallowing in the gloom of their circumstances and adding to the continual joy of those being saved. The Sunday programme anchored on prophecies to individuals as revealed by Prophet T.B. Joshua and the laying on of hands by the Wise Men, punctuated by glorious testimonies given by diverse people to attest to the touch of God in their lives.

During the Sunday service, Prophet T.B. Joshua addressed issues peculiar to different countries and people the world over, with many lessons of life to be gleaned from the experiences of individuals concerned and for the sharpening of the like precious faith. He had, in last weeks’ service, asked the congregants to bring to church small flags of their countries for special prayers. They had obeyed and his prayer centred specifically on the socio-political and economic travails in many countries of the world in contemporary times.

Prophet Joshua said that he carried, “the flags of all nations in my heart.” He said Emmanuel TV would rebroadcast the prayer so that people could connect to it and join him to pray for their own land and people. The flags are a symbol and for contact to the nations worldwide and that the congregation should return their flags to their personal altars hereafter for continued supplication.

The man of God mentioned some of the well known ills of society such as injustice, robbery, occultism, corruption, exploitation, child kidnapping and murder, shedding innocent blood, tribal conflicts and political misrule and mismanagement to clearly illustrate the reasons why there was need for prayer for the nations.

Using Jeremiah 1:10 as a proof text, he said representatives of each country had a duty to look up to God for solutions to their particular travails. He asked the believers and viewers all over the world a soul-searching question, “Everybody wants prosperity but how many are ready to do the work of prosperity?” adding that people needed to be honest and sincere in all they do in order to achieve God’s kind of success. His prayers for the nations took the form of a kind of confession. He asked the worshippers worldwide to take the points raised, one by one which were applicable to their nation and seek the Lord Jesus in broken-heartedness. “We are here today to confess all the sins and wrongs of the lands of our ancestors, leaders and the people. We plead for forgiveness and mercy in the name of Jesus.” The prophet prayed that the Lord should save the nations from destruction and judgement. He also prayed, “Lord Jesus, redeem our nations, lands, continents and countries of all the sins we confess and the ones we have not mentioned” – a reference to the body of evils and immoral conducts which he had already listed.

Prophet Joshua also prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ in humility and faith, declaring “I command all the forces of darkness hindering the move of God in our lands, be cast out, in Jesus’ name. We ask for Your deliverance and healing power on our countries.”

A summary of the spectacular testimonies given to glorify the Lord Jesus and admonish believers all over the world to remain steadfast to the hope they had been entrusted with, are as follows:

Mr Paul worked in an oil and gas industry. One day, an accident occurred and his leg was burnt with fire. They rushed him to the hospital and the doctors said they needed to amputate his leg. He explained the situation to his friend who came to the hospital with Anointing Water he had received from The SCOAN. After ministering the Anointing Water in Jesus’ name, his leg started to itch. Suddenly, two live maggots came out of his leg. He discovered that as the maggots left, the pain also stopped. The fire burns quickly began to heal and the doctor confirmed that he no longer needed an amputation. To God be the glory – He is the Repairer and Restorer!

Mr Moses, aged 27, came to The SCOAN in need of deliverance from a life of smoking, drinking and patronizing prostitutes. He had begun smoking at the young age of 7 years old. This had caused him severe chest pain and nightmares in which people came to beat him in his dreams. One day, a friend came to him with the Anointing Water, advising that he needed a change in his life. He encouraged Mr Moses by telling him that if he put his trust in Jesus Christ, God would wash away his sins and wipe the stain of guilt away from his life. With this belief in his heart, he prayed and ministered the Anointing Water, in Jesus’ name. After prayer, he slept. The next morning, he reached for his morning cigarette. To his surprise, the smell of the cigarette irritated him. He tried smoking but could not. It has now been over three months and he has not once smoked, had a drink of any alcohol or visited prostitutes. He gives glory to God and encourages the youth that no matter the lifestyle they have engaged in, Jesus Christ can set them free!

Mr Amos Augustine shared a fantastic testimony of how our God, Jesus Christ rescues, saves and delivers. He said that he always ministered the Anointing Water before going to work and carried the Anointing Water with him wherever he went. One morning, he was attacked by armed robbers. They were threatening his life and property. As the armed robbers collected his wallet, they began shouting that the wallet was burning their hands and threw the wallet back at him demanding that he should open the wallet! Mr Augustine then opened the wallet to see what had caused the fire burns and the Anointing Sticker fell out! Shocked, the armed robbers started shouting and ran off. Truly, God can use any medium to rescue His children!

Mr Peter, a soldier serving his country, Nigeria told his wonderful testimony of how Jesus Christ had healed him through the Anointing Water from a terrible liver problem. He was in terrible pain and discomfort as he had been diagnosed with liver enlargement which caused a swollen stomach. The problem was so severe that he was booked for an operation. Believing for a miracle, he received the Anointing Water and ministered it, in Jesus’ name. The next day, he began vomiting and black substances came out of his system. To his surprise, his stomach became normal! He went back to the doctor and was confirmed to be perfectly healthy. There was no trace of an enlarged liver. The astonished doctor asked him, “Which medication did you use?” Replying with a smile, Mr Peter responded that it was God’s doing through the Anointing Water. Glory to God! Speaking to the congregation, he said, “God has given me another opportunity. He has given me another chance. Doctors can treat; only Jesus can heal.”

In his own words, Mr Zira Yohana, an agent in the petroleum industry, was a “professional drunkard”. He said he could drink between five to six cartons of alcohol a day. For 17 years, he was inflicted with the severe problem of intoxication and lamented how he used to beat his wife after drinking alcohol. He also said that nobody could ‘out drink’ him when it came to alcohol. One day, he told his friend about his bad habit and his friend gave him the Anointing Water. After ministering the Anointing Water, the urge to drink alcohol left him completely. His life has been radically transformed and he is now an example to all. He advised everyone to seek forgiveness from God in order to stop their bad habits.

Mr Samson from Cameroon ran an organization that cared for widows and orphans. They occupied a building where their charitable activities were held. One day, they were reported to the authorities by a group of people who claimed they were inhabiting the building illegally. As a result of this report, everyone in the organization was arrested and put in prison. He appealed the court’s decision many times but his attempts to gain his freedom were to no avail. He knew that he had been imprisoned innocently. In prison, he had the opportunity to view Emmanuel TV. He began to watch it regularly and prayed along with Prophet T.B. Joshua. He repeated the prayer point of the man of God who stated that all who were imprisoned by contrary forces should be released, in Jesus’ name. Believing that his prayer had been answered, he sent another appeal to the magistrate for release. Three days later, the magistrate called him and gave him a letter of release! He says that if he had not been watching Emmanuel TV and joining the anointed prayer with Prophet T.B. Joshua, he would still be in prison today. He advised all who found themselves in desperate situations to look to Jesus Christ for their freedom and vindication. He is the freedom provider!

Mr Nnadozie was a chain smoker for 16 years. This caused him serious chest pain, heart burn and cough. He spent a fortune on cigarettes as he smoked 5 packs a day. He would go to church with cigarettes and excuse himself during the service to smoke. He would even go to the restroom with cigarettes! The day he resolved to give up, the urge actually increased and he smoked 10 packs! The problem became worse. When he came to The SCOAN, he was also carrying a packet of cigarettes with him. For some reason, however, he did not feel the urge to smoke throughout the entire service. He received the Anointing Water and ministered it, in Jesus’ name after the service. A moment later, he tried to light a cigarette but felt like acid was running down his throat. He started to vomit black substances and from that moment on, the urge to smoke disappeared! Thanking God for the wonderful miracle, he said that even the smell of smoke irritates him now. Surely there is nothing Jesus cannot do.

Pastor and Mrs Patrick shared their incredible testimony. Mrs Patricia Patrick had suffered not one but two ectopic pregnancies that had been very traumatic for her. In the course of this problem, she underwent an operation and both of her fallopian tubes were removed, making it medically impossible for her to conceive.  Still believing that God would show Himself strong in her seemingly hopeless situation, Pastor Patrick came to The SCOAN and received the Anointing Water. She prayed together with her husband, ministered the Anointing Water in Jesus’ name and the mother of miracles happened! After prayer, they met as husband and wife and Mrs Patrick became pregnant! They went to the hospital for a checkup and the doctors were amazed to find that both of the fallopian tubes had been totally restored!  Full of joy, Mrs Patrick told the viewers and congregation, “My advice to women who might have lost hope: The same God who restored my two tubes which were cut off, shall surely visit you, in Jesus’ name”.

Mr Joseph Genesis shared his testimony of God’s supernatural protection through the medium of the Anointing Water. He suddenly found himself caught in a surprise attack from armed robbers. Seven armed men descended on him and pulled out guns to kill him, not knowing that he was armed with a superior weapon! That morning, he had ministered the Anointing Water on his body before leaving his house. He stated that the power of God in the Anointing Water created a protective shield over him and due to the Anointing Water, the bullets that were fired on him could not enter him! The armed robbers could not believe their eyes. Filled with courage at the supernatural protection, Mr Joseph began to spray the Anointing Water towards the armed robbers and they ran away in defeat. Proudly showing himself to the world that he had escaped without a scratch, Mr Joseph said, “The Anointing Water is a bullet to the wicked, evil spirits!”

Chief Superintendant of Police John Mark, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Anambra, Nigeria came out to testify how God had touched the lives of police men in his division after he shared with them the Anointing Water he had received at The SCOAN. Two of his police officers accompanied him to The SCOAN to share their testimonies. Mr Sunday Idris, a policemen under CSP John Mark, had suffered from the embarrassing affliction of bedwetting for two years. When he received the Anointing Water, he prayed, believing that God would put an end to his suffering. After that prayer, he testified that that chain of affliction had been broken and bedwetting was a thing of the past in his life! Mr Phillip then came forward with his wife and twins, Emmanuel and Emmanuela to thank God for the miraculous release of their son Emmanuel after he was kidnapped. Armed robbers took the child and later called, demanding a ransom of N20million, an impossible amount of money for Mr Phillip to raise. The father ran straight to his DPO, John Mark. In response to the devastating news, Mr Mark gave him the Anointing Water and told him to minister it in faith, in Jesus’ name. One day after he ministered the Anointing Water in prayer, local police were given a tip off to the robber’s location. Emmanuel was recovered uninjured that very day and returned to his parents! A national Nigerian newspaper covered the story of the robber’s capture, terming Emmanuel’s release as ‘miraculous’!

Mrs Ogwe Juliet, a Nigerian living in Cameroon told the world of her amazing testimony of how the Anointing Water had saved her from an armed robbery operation while onboard a ship from Cameroon to Nigeria. When the ship alarm was raised, alerting that thieves were in their midst, Mrs Juliet quickly remembered the Anointing Water and sprayed it over herself, in Jesus’ name. The ship was in a state of confusion as the thieves were robbing everyone in the ship. Amazingly, Mrs Ogwe Juliet was left in peace as the armed robbers seemed not to even notice her. A man who was also present on the ship took his money out of his pockets and placed it on top of one of Prophet T.B. Joshua’s sermons which he had received from The SCOAN. He offered it to the armed robbers, saying, “Here is my money; take it” but the armed robbers refused to take his money! Speaking to the congregation and viewers, Mrs Ogwe Juliet said, “Don’t call it ordinary water; it is anointed. There is power in it – the power of God. The power of God is above all powers”.

Mr Azawei Alanuene, a university lecturer, gave his testimony of how God had taken him from a nobody to somebody. Eating from hand to mouth for 10 years, his life was a constant struggle but when he ministered the Anointing Water in Jesus’ name, his destiny turned around! After prayer, he was suddenly called by his supervisor and told that he had been granted a scholarship to further his research by studying a PhD in The University of Nottingham, UK. He travelled to the UK for the course, continued ministering the Anointing Water over himself and his coursework and conducted ground breaking research in his specialized area. To his surprise, he was selected to present the findings of his PhD research in an international conference in China.  Glory be to God!

Mr Waziri from Taraba, Nigeria was addicted to drinking alcohol for 17 years and could drink up to 14 bottles a day. He did not see the need or have the desire to stop but one day after watching Prophet T.B. Joshua on Emmanuel TV prophesying to a man about the very same drinking problem, he realized his need for freedom.  As Prophet T.B. Joshua prayed for the viewers, he stretched his hand and touched the screen in prayer. Instantly, the desire to drink left him and he was completely delivered in the power of the Holy Spirit. After that prayer, everything about his life was transformed. His health, business, marriage and joy were restored! Even his appearance changed as his once large belly, due to excessive drinking, shrunk back to normal. Advising those who are desperately in need of a solution, he quoted the words of Prophet T.B. Joshua, saying, “If you have run out of rope, it is time to grab onto faith!”  Hallelujah! There is no bad habit, addiction or negative lifestyle that cannot be broken, conquered and defeated by Jesus Christ!

All in all, we are reminded that the main thing about Christianity is not the work we do for God but the relationship we maintain and the atmosphere produced by that relationship. Our work for God is a reflection of our relationship with Him. We should therefore, take time to develop our relationship with the Holy Spirit by daily reading our Bibles with devotion and making the Word of God the standard for our lives.

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SEEING WHAT WAS NEVER SEEN BEFORE

The morning service started very early, as usual, and the congregation was addressed by Wise Man Christopher on the theme, “Follow Instruction in Righteousness”.

In his elaborations, he maintained that Jesus is the Word by whom God speaks to us, which is why He remains the pillar of our faith and substance of our spiritual commitment. He said it is not enough to confess Christianity but to live it as expected of true Christians and that we have to run the race well, in Christ.
The wise man preached that Christianity is two sided – theory and practical. The knowledge of Christianity is not sufficient for man, but the practicing of what is known to be correct. In his opinion, when we abide by the Word and take Jesus Christ as our role model, we will be content, self-sufficient and satisfied. Our great belief in the Word will make us obtain the same results as the early disciples (Mark 9:23).

He said if we believe in Christ, we should have confidence in his ability to heal, “If you believe Jesus is the Saviour, you must have confidence in His ability to save”, he added.
In the word, the Wise man added, man must never doubt God’s ability to heal and save; there should not be room for doubt because we have a perfect evidence for faith. He maintained that light, blessing and good health can be obtained by man through absolute belief in the Word; we should know Christ and obey His instructions as clearly spelt out in the Word. This is because, “God has a role to play and man has his own role to play”.

He said God’s Word is a seed of divine life; Jesus is the Living Word and the Bread of Life. He added that “God’s Word will change you if you take it to heart”, and “A believing soul takes everything God says in truth and faith and puts the best construction on it”. He completed his sermon by 8:25am.

REV. (BARRISTER) ONWELU AND WIFE SHOWN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
     Prophet T.B Joshua appeared on the pulpit and the first comment he made centered on the woman (Mrs. Patricia Onwelu) who had in the previous week, complained on the occupational status of her husband. She had received a prophecy from T.B. Joshua that her husband was doing the work of God.
The woman had wanted the Prophet to intervene and make God’s opinion known to them whether the husband should continue the work of God or remain a practicing lawyer.

The couple came to the church, and the wife narrated the story in full, and that the husband (Rev. Chidi Onwelu) did not know whether to practice law or be a pastor, because the little money he was making as a lawyer was what he used to build a ‘prayer mountain’ where nobody went for prayers.

She narrated the dream he had, which had made him distance himself from her; and in the dream, it was made clear to the husband that “he was a disgrace”, though he often saw her as an impediment to his spiritual fulfillment.

The husband narrated his own story. He is from a family of lawyers and though a good reader, he had read books, some of which contradicted each other. He was forced to set ablaze one of such books and in the night of that day, he found himself in detention in his dream. Though he was to be assisted by someone who reminded him he should not be detained, he still found himself behind bars.

Prophet T.B Joshua listened patiently to the narrations, and he pledged to see the couple and tell them what God’s opinion was, on the issue.

MISS CHARITY OMERUAH AND MOTHER: DELIVERED FROM EVIL SPIRITS
Equally, the lady who in the previous week, was arrested by the Holy Spirit when she tried to seduce the prophet through an evil spirit and manipulation, appeared in the church with her mother. Miss Charity Omeruah narrated her story to the congregation, the evil powers she possessed which had made her destroy at least three spiritual ministries and ministers through lust and sexual temptations, while Prophet T.B Joshua was to be the fourth person! She said she had been sent from the demonic kingdom with a mission to kill Wise man Daniel and Prophet T.B Joshua as part of her plans, and that she had powers in her hand, private part and head which could be dispensed at will.

According to her, her eyes were used to confuse people and forcefully seduce them, the hands were poisonous, and her nakedness was often attractive. She had tried to bring darkness in the church by stopping electricity, which was not achieved. Darkness could have made it easier to pounce on Prophet T.B Joshua, tear off her dress, and force members of the congregation to sleep. She failed because Prophet T.B Joshua is a true man of God.
She complained that the Prophet of God stood against their interest in the world of darkness; he was a stumbling block to their full manifestation. She had gone out of the church in anger and returned in fury, and that when she tried to sit down, she was given the anointing sticker which she had collected angrily. But it was too hot to be handled. She had kept it in her hand bag but it was too hot to be put down; she felt fire all over her body, and started shouting.
Eventually set free from the demon which had tormented her, she had narrated that she was possessed by this evil spirit from childhood. The sticker drove away the snake living inside her.  She confessed that her mother, who used to be a powerful member of the demonic kingdom, was equally delivered at The SCOAN.
The video showing the mother, Mrs. Omeruah, when she was delivered, was also shown to the congregation. She had challenged Wise man Daniel in the video, calling herself the Queen of all Queens who could not be easily conquered, and who had destroyed people. She was eventually delivered.

Standing by the side of her daughter, Mrs. Omeruah, narrated her story to the congregation, saying she was staying in Gabon, and was amazed by what she saw of her daughter on Emmanuel TV, which reminded her of her own personal experience on February 12th, 2012 when she was delivered. She regretted that her other children also belonged to the demonic kingdom. Prophet T.B Joshua had given her N20,000 when she was first delivered, to travel back home. It was while she saw her daughter manifesting that she decided to return from Gabon to come again to The SCOAN to testify.

Her story made Prophet T.B Joshua to make some spiritually–charged comments. For instance, “If you are here to see what you have seen before, you are here to waste your time. You should see what you have never seen before”. While in The SCOAN, new experiences make people wonder. In Africa, the Prophet said, “Once you cannot do something you believe others cannot do it”, yet people are expected to always seek the face of God. He said, “Things can happen; let us be open for knowledge”, and that they should be good listeners. He added, “If you want a breakthrough when it comes to things of God, you can never see it because everyone lies to his neighbour. The only way to move forward is to go to God. The problem with us is, if I cannot do it, no one else can do it”. He said people have the mentality to accuse others of using the power of Satan, if they cannot perform certain miracles themselves.

He maintained that God has used “Just a paper” (Anointing Sticker) to bring deliverance to people and that God can indeed use any medium to do his work. He also said that we don’t fight flesh and blood but spirit beings.
He also spoke on the fact that God’s power works through His Word by His Spirit, but the Word should become an integral part of your being, that the process of salvation can only be fully attained when the word is an integral part of the self. Preaching or sermonizing, according to him, should be brief, pointed and relevant and not the act of showing off. Between ten and twenty minutes should be sufficient for a serious sermon he said, and that prayer and Bible reading go together.

HON. KOMBOWEL FRIDAY; PROPHECY ON A CROWN TO BE WORN
Hon. Kombowel Friday is the present Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
A past video was shown showing him being prayed for and prophesied to by Prophet T.B Joshua. That was in November 2011. The Prophet had told him that he had seen him escape gunshots and was crowned, while he should assist the family of his mother.

In his testimony, he had told the congregation that he had originally come to The SCOAN over consistent night attacks, and limitations. He said he was able to have a child after twelve years of marriage, and had wanted to be relieved of the troubles he was facing.

He later became Chief whip of the Assembly (Bayelsa House of Assembly), and when the former governor of the state wanted him to be part of his Kitchen Cabinet, he was nearly attacked by some people (though he escaped being hurt), which confirmed what Prophet T.B Joshua had earlier prophesied. He wondered what would also make him wear a crown being not of a royal home. But within a short time, he was elected Speaker of the House of Assembly (he brought his photographs to the Church, wearing the regalia of office, showing the political crown). He was decorated on 20th February, 2012.

The Prophet appreciated the Speaker’s acknowledgement of God, and reminded the congregation what the President of Ghana, Prof. Atta Mills, did immediately he became president – he had come to thank God at The SCOAN.

MR. ANTHONY OSHOGWE: DELIVERED FROM PILE AND HEARING DIFFICULTY THROUGH ANOINTING WATER.
Mr. Anthony Oshogwe came to the church with his wife to thank God for his deliverance from the plagues of acute pile and hearing problem through the anointing water. He said in 1988, 1992 and 2003, he underwent operations for his pile, and had the fourth in 2009. His first deliverance came through Emmanuel T.V when he placed his hands on the screen, as Prophet T.B Joshua was praying for the viewers. Like a man who experienced electric shock, he was surprised that his pile disappeared forever.

As for his hearing problem, he had come to the church on December 4th, 2011. He is also blessed to have a wife, Felicia, who is a prayer warrior. When the Anointing Water was given to him at the church, he prayed with his family, and administered it, and slept like a child. The hearing pains also disappeared. Any other pain that had come his way, he ministered the Anointing Water and it disappeared. His wife also confirmed this, and that they had married for 29 years. She had introduced him to Emmanuel TV in Akure (Ondo state), and the ear problem disappeared.

SIMON AND FAMILY – DELIVERED FROM POVERTY AND FAMILY CURSE
Mr. Simon came with his sister to thank God in the church for relieving them of the pains of poverty and helplessness caused by a family curse.
According to him, he had come to the church on August 25th, 2011 and had the grace to receive the Anointing water. The family is made up of eleven members and they all shared one room until the father died. That was in Bonny, Rivers State.
With the water, they all prayed and anointed themselves. They asked God to raise men of substance from within the family. Today, at least three of them have good buildings and with thriving business.
The sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Good luck, also came to the church attested to the claims of the brother. According to her, the family had been condemned by the dilapidated house they lived in. The coming of her brother to The SCOAN saved the family, as the members did not experience the benefits of good education and jobs. Today business is thriving well for the members.
Prophet T.B Joshua used this evidence again to inform the congregation that there were hundreds of people with concrete claims as to what the anointing water did for them.

MISS SELINA DAUSI: DELIVERED FROM 30 YEARS OF ICE CUBES CONSUMPTION

 

The second service started with the deliverance program at the emergency section (prayer line) in which many national and international visitors were attended to by the wise men. People were delivered from the

 

 

 

 

stronghold of evil forces. One of these was Miss Selina Dausi, a South African, who was delivered from 30 years of ice cube consumption. Others were delivered from the spirits of anger, poverty, disease, childlessness, spiritual marriages and joblessness. Many also received their healings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEGUN ONABANJO: DELIVERED FROM SPIRIT OF ANGER.
The session in the church started with the confessions of Mr. Segun Onabanjo who was delivered from the spirit of anger, lasting 20 years. Onabanjo’s anger was uncontrollable; he always wanted to see blood when angry, and often out of control. His mother had moved out of Nigeria because of this, especially when he broke the collar bone of his sister. He had wanted to run away when he confronted Wise Man Harry – The fire was too much for him. He received his deliverance.

 

 

 

 

 

GIFT CHIBO – DELIVERED FROM SPIRIT OF ANGER
Gift Chibo, an anger–propelled, Abuja – based Nigerian young lady was also delivered through Wise Man Harry. She had purposely come to The SCOAN to get deliverance because her spirit of anger had made her turn candles upside – down and burn things, also cursing people and invoking demons to attack such persons.

She had experienced a lot of disappointments in marriage plans and working places and even after her deliverance, she had wanted evidence to proof that she had manifested the evil spirit before. She glorified God for delivering her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NKECHI TOBY: DELIVERED FROM SPIRITUAL HUSBAND
Mrs. Nkechi Toby, from Delta State received her deliverance through Wise Man Harry from a spiritual husband.
The spiritual husband had threatened to eliminate her if she came to The SCOAN, yet she had come for deliverance.  She was happy to be delivered through the fire of the Holy Spirit. She had felt light now, unlike before, when she felt heavy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After songs were rendered, Prophet T.B Joshua came out and ministered words of prophecy to many present while the wise men led the congregation in a powerful time of prayer.
A young man was delivered from the spirit of stealing. He had stolen someN300,000 from another state and rushed to Lagos to invest some in business. He was delivered. He had told his story of failures in life, especially inability to attend school. He was to do some business after which he would use the proceeds to further his education.

There were other prophecies made by the man of God and the Wise men. Prayers were centered on spirits trying to stop the destiny of people from being achieved. The Anointing stickers were distributed to people and everyone left for home, content and confessing that the way out for them had come!

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Is TB Joshua A Prophet Among Us? – The Times of Zambia

SOURCE: Times of Zambia – http://www.times.co.zm/news/

 THERE has been so much controversy surrounding Nigerian prophet TB Joshua, a man renowned world over yet most vilified over for his miracle healing services and predictions. The controversies have been raging ever since TB Joshua’s ministry stormed into the public domain bringing into question the legitimacy of his works. In talking about legitimacy, I am referring to the standards as set forth in the scriptures, which would help us, identify a genuine prophet. Who then is TB Joshua?

TB Joshua whose full names are Temitope Balogun Joshua was born on June 12, 1963, in a village called Arigidi, in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State of Nigeria. He is married to Evelyn and has four children. TB Joshua, the founder and pastor of The Synagogue Church Of All Nations is said to have sparked controversy starting with his mysterious birth. He allegedly remained in his mother’s womb for 15 months before he was born. He attended primary school at St Steven Anglican school from 1971-1977, but failed to complete one year of secondary school. But as he was growing up, he was known as a “small pastor” because of his love for the Bible and ability to predict things to come in his community. He further gained reputation for spiritual prowess after confronting and disarming a madman who was wielding a machete in the school premises. While in school he was the leader of a scripture union.

When Joshua started the Synagogue Church of All Nations in 1987, he just had a handful of members but since then the church has grown far beyond the shores of Nigeria. More than 15,000 members attend the weekly Sunday service. Numerous videos have been produced documenting the healing of incurable sickness, cancer, paralysis, AIDS, showing people’s conditions before, during and after prayer. Medical doctors have examined the patients before and after and have testified to a supernatural activity beyond medical science. TB Joshua does not even claim to be healer but says, “I am just God’s servant”.

TB Joshua has made phenomenal predictions in full view of a global audience on the satellite Christian Television, Emmanuel TV and all of them have come to pass. He predicted the death of president Levy Mwanawasa a month before it happened, the disastrous cyclone in Myanmar, the attempted assassination of the prime minister of Lesotho Pakalitha Mosisili, resignation of Pakistan president Pervez Musharaf, the comet slam into planet Jupiter which caused quite a fray in the scientific community and more recently the death of American pop star Michael Jackson.

On Michael Jackson’s death, the prophet was seen by a global audience via his television network saying, “I see a star being rushed to the hospital but he wont come back home, the whole world will be shocked. He is a great star in his world”. To add mystery to this prediction, TB Joshua sent a message through the pop star’s associates to let Michael come for prayer and deliverance in Nigeria. The associates thought the message a bit misplaced, because Michael was declared medically fit by his doctors and he was billed for a world concert tour beginning July 13. But alas! That was not to be, he died on June 25 before seeing Prophet TB Joshua.

Despite all these happenings Prophet TB Joshua has come under heavy attack from many, some of whom have labelled him a false prophet. And the debate about the authenticity of his ministry unfortunately has been orchestrated by a section of the clergy within the charismatic Pentecostal brand of Christendom. This has left many lay people unfamiliar with scriptures, let alone issues of Christian theology confused, as reverends or bishops are keener to criticise prophet TB Joshua than providing Biblical counsel.

Since the beaming of Emmanuel TV on free channel stations in most parts of Zambia, we have witnessed an unprecedented following of TB Joshua’s programmes.  As a result, emotive debates have emerged from the pulpits to the pews, between clergy and lay people. The man has arrived on the scene, should we dismiss him or his utterances as the ravings of a madman? How do we know for sure that we have a prophet among us?

This article is written on the assumption that the readers hold to the sacredness of the Bible as the inspired scriptures from whence we would draw our authority in judging a matter as heresy or sound doctrine. It is against this background that we seek to examine the ministry of this man, in the light of scriptures. There are fundamental rules in the scriptures, which must be used to judge whether something is of God, or not. In the absence of this knowledge, one would easily find themselves opposing God or abetting apostasy. To begin with, if one does not subscribe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, they will have nothing to do with this subject at hand because there would be no basis by which any meaningful discourse can rest upon.

But if we want to find out if he is a fraud as some are claiming, or a true servant of the Lord, we can only do so with the aid of scriptures. Let’s examine for example the standards used in the scriptures to test a prophet. Deuteronomy 18:20; “But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death. You may say to yourselves, ‘how can we when a message has been spoken by the Lord? If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, do not be afraid of him”.(New International Version)

The precise knowledge of the future according to this scripture, is a preserve of the Most High God, and only God can reveal detailed events to happen in the future to His servants. Therefore, if a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord and the events take place, then you need to pay heed lest you find yourself opposing the Holy Spirit.

In the book of 1 John 4:2 :“This is how you can recognise the Spirit of God; every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the anti-christ which you head is coming and even now is already in the world”. The authenticity of any ministry is tested by how they profess about who Jesus Christ is. From all accounts, TB Joshua proclaims Jesus Christ to have come in the flesh hence his motto “Emmanuel” which translates God with us. His messages and sermons lift Jesus as the Christ! And what more?

Signs and wonders are daily phenomena in his ministry, just the way it was as recorded in the book of Mark16:20: “then the disciples went and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by signs that accompanied it”.

TB Joshua’s humanitarian effort touches the needs of widows. The physically challenged and orphans have benefited in his educational support projects. Recently the federal President of Nigeria, Musa Yar’Adua, a Muslim himself awarded him with “Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic” in recognition of his humanitarian efforts. Anyone who is a true seeker of truth can know in the light of scriptures that for sure there is a prophet among us.

By BONIFACE MWANZA

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GOD’S WORD WORKS WONDERS

TO HIS POWER NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE
In a spirited sermon to awaken the congregation to the power of God,

Prophet T. B. Joshua reminded the Church of the greatness of God and His ready disposition to forgive sins, however grievous some of these sins may be. In his words God is capable of doing anything and also forgiving any sin. To His power nothing is impossible. Breaking in on the choral music which had been reverberating all over the Church and to which the congregation responded in unison with elegant steps, Prophet T. B. Joshua enthusiastically spoke on the forgiving spirit of God with copious illustrations. In his words, the past is forgiven. We have seen a sinner’s character healed, the drunkard becoming sober, the harlot becoming chastened and the liar becoming truthful. “What then is the fear?” he asked the congregation. He spiritedly reminded his listeners that if they trust in God, that trust will save them. Trusting in the suffering of Christ is enough to save us, deliver us and make us whole. He concluded the sermon by advising the congregation to remain in trust.

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Wise Man John Chi introduced his message with a series of questions. How do we achieve a desired goal? Who wants to be saved? What must I do to be saved? He aptly referred the congregation to Acts 16: 29-32 which provided the answer to his questions: Believe in the Lord and you will be saved. According to him, God has promised salvation for whoever shall trust His Son. Race, age brackets, academic qualifications, wealth or any other attribute cannot save us outside Christ. If you are willing to be saved, Jesus is willing. Jesus brings hope and succour to those who trust Him. He is the bread to the hungry and road map to the lost. Whatever you are, you need Christ to be saved. God has a role to play in your salvation just as you too have a role to play. It takes your willingness and God’s ability to bring about your salvation.
Our hearts and minds must be reset to agree with God’s plan for our lives. You must get rid of those things that derail you from God. You cannot experience peace under the dominion of satan. Satan is sin. Another name for satan is sin.

Quoting Psalm 51:7 as a reference text the Wise Man admonished the congregation on the need to be cleansed of sins. According to him King David saw the need to be cleansed. Wash me with water whiter than snow and remove all impurity. David knew he would not have place in God’s kingdom unless he was washed from sins. In his sins, David could not see anything other than the fruit of sin: failure in the family, in the battle field etc. Unless you are cleansed of your sins, your blessing will receive challenges. The attitude of repentance and faith in your heart keeps you closer to God. Mistakes are correctable. If you make a mistake, don’t run from God; run to Him. Because David ran to God in spite of his sins, he remains one of the greatest Kings in Israel today. Your Father in Heaven has anticipated your sins and prepared for you. You have not committed an unpardonable sin. Our lives are in God’s hand and we cannot please Him without a thorough reformation of heart and life. God requires a heart that does not bear grudges. Doubts and unbelief put us on the wrong track. Jesus loves you just as He does any of His children. Jesus is able to forgive all our sins, he concluded.

THE SPIRIT OF APOSTLE PAUL HAS ARRIVED IN MACEDONIA
Wise Man, Harry and his wonderful performances in Macedonia attracted his comments. The prophet told the congregation that the crusade in Macedonia attracted a large turn out of participants. It was so wonderful and even comparable to those spiritually hosted by the prophet himself in Indonesia and Singapore. It had to be extended to the following day i.e. Sunday and Monday. Wise Man, Harry also revealed to Prophet T. B. Joshua his vision to be in Macedonia especially close to Paul and Silas’s prison for tourists to see the wonders of God.
A clip on the wonderful works being performed by Wise Man, Harry surfaced on the screen and the congregation watched with rapt interest.

RECONCILIATION OF BROKEN HOMES

Mr and Mrs Ifah brought out their children and Mrs Ifah, the spokesperson accused their daughter, Judith of witchcraft before the entire congregation. She narrated how a baby of hers died mysteriously after a period of excessive stooling. She painted a picture of lack of peace in their family and of the sickness of her husband which had defied healing.

The daughter, Judith Ifah confessed to being a witch and added that it was the result of the fruit juice which she accepted from one of her classmates. She said she told her mother the dream she had after taking the juice and her mother prayed for her. She revealed that the giver of the juice asked her to bring their baby to the coven and that was the cause of the baby’s death. She said that she ate the baby. She also revealed how she was advised to use a rope to tie her father to his bed and cause his health to deteriorate. All these feats would attract to her a second position in the witchcraft world.
In reaction, Prophet T.B. Joshua advised parents to bring up their children in the way of the Lord to have peace. The child in question was left in the hands of satan because of the parents’ carelessness. The prophet pronounced Judith a witch or demon possessed as presented by the parents.

He then asked the parents to lay hands on her and ask every unclean spirit to leave her. That was how Judith was delivered. The prophet however warned both parents not to call her a witch after the deliverances.

INTERNET VICTIM
A lady by name Memory, from Zimbabwe but living in South Africa confessed how she was hoodwinked promises of monetary offers on the internet. She was taught incantations which she mastered but none of the promises materialised. Instead, her marital home became bedevilled with problems to such an extent that she used the police to eject her husband from the home. She then pleaded with the man of God for deliverance. At the exclamation of the name, Jesus by one of the evangelists she fell down and was delivered.

ACCUSATION OF WITCHCRAFT

One Emmanuel Chijoke and his relations all of the Abraham family from Enugu complained about the problems of setback and deaths in their family attributing all this to their mother.
The genesis of the accusation was a crusade in Abuja at which one of Emmanuel’s cousins was a participant and where he was told by a man of God there that their mother was the brain behind all the woes in the family. The said man of God was then invited to Enugu where he confirmed his earlier vision that their mother was a witch and that only her head and shoulders was human; the chest down to the feet was vulture in appearance. Surprisingly to the family, their mother could not refute the accusation by the man of God. She complained that at that time, her eyes, ears and mouth were muffled and she could not talk.

She then challenged the family to take her to anywhere and they would realise that she is not a witch. This was the reason they came to the SCOAN.

In his verdict, the man of God pronounced the woman witchcraft negative and ordered the children to kneel down to her in apology.

FOOT ULCER HEALED
Before the prayer line, the participants of which were zoomed on the screen,

a lady, 20 year old Miss Sulman who was healed of foot ulcer came to give testimony and also made to show herself to those in the prayer line to reassure them of their healing.<img src=”http://thetbjoshuafanclub.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/10-10-10-g-4.jpg?w=200&#8243; alt=”" title=”10-10-10 [G] (4)” width=”200″ height=”300″ class=”aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1990″ />

HIV AIDS TESTIMONIES
Three men and three women who were healed of HIV AIDS came to give their testimonies. Among them who spoke was 27 year old Mrs Motunrayo Sowemimo,
who was tested positive with Hiv aids type one in the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja.

After the prayer line where she was declared free, she said she became stronger and ate with more relish.

She went back to the same hospital for another test but thanks to God, she was Hiv negative this time.

SCHOLARSHIP BENEFICIARIES
Miss Oduwole Olayinka, a youth worker in the church who came bagged 1st class (Electrical/Electronics), University of Lagos also got a scholarship award from the Church to do a Master degree in one of the best universities in the world. She consequently applied for admission and was offered same in three good universities in the United Kingdom. These were the Universities of Southampton, Edinburgh and that of Surrey.
She picked the University of Southampton as the best and the Church paid a total sum of £13,900 as her fees. Later and in consonance with the man of God’s crave for the best, the University College, London, offered her admission. Without hesitation, she changed her mind and picked the latest offer. A total sum of £18,245 was paid as fees for her to start classes on the 11th of October 2010.
The man of God seized the opportunity to advise the congregation to always look for the needy to help rather than waiting at home for the needy to come to them. In this way, according to the prophet, they would not be helping the wrong people.

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ALL THINGS BECOME NEW

On Sunday morning the 22nd of March 2010, people flocked to The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, some came for healing at the prayerline, some came for the first time, others came to their usual seat being members of the renowned Church (whose service is broadcast live every week on their TV station, Emmanuel TV) to see the mighty power of God working in the Spirit.

The service began at 9am with worship and praise, cultivating an atmosphere of faith in the huge auditorium. At 10am sharp, Evangelist Evelyn Joshua (T.B. Joshua’s wife) came out to give a message titled, ‘Walking In His Grace’. She spoke boldly telling us that, “The peace of conscience we derive from walking with the Lord, produces internal joy.” And that, “Rebuilding us requires our attention, commitment, our desire and obedience to God’s Word.” She also reminded us that “No one can succeed alone”. After around 40 minutes of preaching Evangelist Evelyn concluded by saying, “As long as we keep walking in His grace we will not be without the Father, without the Helper”.

The choir picked up again, then T.B. Joshua himself came out. After commending the message, he brought out the new anointing water and from the crowd’s reaction – something they have all been waiting for. He brought out three packaged waters in different coloured containers, orange – for fruit of the womb, green – for healing and deliverance and purple for blessing and prosperity. He explained that God can use any medium to express Himself and described the anointing water as a means to set one apart for God’s attention. As he was talking a queue formed of those who had testimonies to share after using the anointing water.

Broken Bone Healed

First up was Corporal Sugir Kabir Amos, from Anambra State, Nigeria who had broken both legs two years earlier in a motor accident. He explained that after the accident, he was operated on, twice – showing us photographs of when he was hospitalised and finally discharged with a walking frame.

We watched the video of him coming to The SCOAN with the same walking frame, slowly moving along with it, limiting him greatly. Next he was in the prayerline where Prophet T.B. Joshua prayed for him and administered the anointing water. One minute he was sitting pleading for healing, the next minute he was standing, then walking, rejoicing at God’s mighty power that healed him in moments. Jesus Christ continues to show Himself strong in the lives of those who put their trust in Him.

Next up were a couple Mr & Mrs Okorie from Ebonyi state, Nigeria. The lady had, had the problem of ovarian cyst and multiple fibroid. She explained that when she had told the doctors that she wanted to operate – they asked her ‘why now?’ She said because the cyst was so large that people always asked if she was pregnant. A painful question for a lady who had been told by doctors that due to her condition she was unable to conceive.

Healed of ovarian cyst and multiple fibroids

After moving back and forth from hospital to hospital and after being operated on and then referred. She got frustrated and gave up hope for medical assistance. Then she watched Emmanuel TV where she saw men and woman of different nationalities who once faced similar problems as herself, now standing with their new baby giving testimony after using the anointing water given to them by T.B. Joshua. She immediately set out for the following service day with one aim in mind – to get some of the anointing water for herself. She came and received the anointing water for the fruit of the womb. One week later, her check up was due at the hospital. To the doctor’s and her great surprise, the medical report showed that the large cyst and multiple fibroids were gone! Not only that but she was pregnant! God can surely use any means to reach the needs of His people. What is impossible to man, is possible for God Almighty who is the same yesterday, today and for ever.

Many other testimonies followed and due to the large crowd it became obvious that using such means as the anointing water many lives could benefit from the saving, healing and delivering grace within. God continues to use everything He’s created. A pamphlet also went round to explain the use of the anointing water.

After the faith building testimonies, T.B. Joshua moved directly to the prayerline where many sick people were waiting for prayer. Among them was Pastor Rowland Ekwerike who had come all the way from Indianapolis, USA. He had lost the ability to speak clearly – as a minister of the Gospel this posed a great obstacle. T.B. Joshua poured the anointing water into his mouth and moments later he began preaching powerfully to the congregation! Just as Jesus Christ used Paul and anything that came into contact with him – to heal all manners of sicknesses and diseases. As it was, so it is. Jesus’ power is not stopped just because He is no longer visibly in our midst. His power and effectiveness are even greater today because He can be present in all places at all times by His Spirit.

After the prayerline there was a mass prayer session where more people were healed and set free both inside and outside of the auditorium where an over flow crowd was gathered.

The first service came to a close at 2.30pm and the second service soon followed where many prophecies and more instant testimonies were given. After this for those who remained, T.B. Joshua distributed the new anointing water. Some even at the mere receiving of the carton began to shake, roll and manifest – God chooses grace rather than works. He does as He wills and can use any medium to express Himself. Blessed, refreshed and made new was the mood that people left the auditorium satisfied and confident that as Christians, no matter the situation, Jesus Christ can see them through, after having so many cases to strengthen their faith. God keeps giving us reasons to praise His Holy name. Keep watching Emmanuel TV for rebroadcasts of the service as T.B. Joshua says, “Better is not good enough; the best is yet to come!”

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Everything Big Starts Little…

In his own words, Prophet TB Joshua describes his early years, and the belief that inspired him to do what no one has ever done and go where no one has ever gone in order to achieve what no one has ever achieved. It is an inspirational, challenging and reflective read, which clearly illustrates the principle of life that there is a time for everything and life is in stages… What time are you in?

“I found myself in a family background that irritated me. In those early years of my life, I knew I would be blamed for what I gave my attention to – so I took a different direction in order to achieve a different solution.

A journey of a thousand miles starts with one small step...

Before this time, I was a member of the Anglican Church and participated actively in many church activities. On three different occasions, I was appointed the chairman of Children’s Harvest/ Thanksgiving ceremony. During my elementary education at St. Stephen Anglican Primary School, Agbalaku, Arigidi, I was leader of the student Christian fellowship.

I taught my colleagues the Scriptures without formal Bible training. In my dreams, I was always taught the Scriptures; that gave me an edge over other student colleagues, even my teacher. I was the smallest in the class but led the prayer during the school devotions. My teacher, Mrs Margaret Tolani Adejumo, and my colleagues usually called me ‘small pastor’.

I recognised early enough that victory obtained through Christ was a time past victory. I mean, it is victory assured. Rather than despair and blame my situation on family background, I began to be proud of my situation in order to feel Christ’s victory over me.

I became content with my situation, knowing that my situation is redeemable through Christ and that the redemption was a time-past one. I mean, redemption assured. Then I began to take God at His Word in order to have His way. Nobody is too good or too bad to qualify for His grace.

Remember, it was possible for me to sit somewhere and begin to make excuses for my situation. I never did.

Whatever I am today is a product of that conviction that victory through Christ is victory indeed. The rest is history.

Today, many people blame their situation on family background. Some would say, “I am poor because everyone in my family is poor.” If you make excuses for being poor, your poverty cannot be excused. Remember, you are responsible for what you give your attention to; so it is unnecessary to blame your situation on anyone.

Today, it is common for people to blame their failure on their family background, whereas they attribute their success to their personal effort.

If you attribute your success to your personal effort, you should also accept the blame for your failure. When we make excuses for our wrongdoing, such misdeeds would not be excused.

God has a time for everything... - TB Joshua

God has a time for everything: A time to grow, a time to face realities of life, a time to overcome and a time to show the proceeds of victory. Ecclesiastes 3:1. I want to let you know that this record is not in anyway intended to show off – I mean, it is not a way of saying, “I have arrived”, but my own way of glorifying God for what He is doing in our lives. It is my own way of giving testimony to the goodness of God in my life. First, to show my total dependence on God and second, to encourage the weak that there is hope; Jesus is the hope.

Life is a warfare, and in a war there are many battles to be won.

Each time God leads us through a battle, it is in our own interest to testify to His goodness, as a way of thanksgiving for not allowing our adversaries to triumph over us. If God had not overcome for us, there would be no need to show this record, just as there would be no need for this story.”

SOURCE: The Official SCOAN Website

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‘Why I Didn’t Attend College’ – TB Joshua

Another enlightening interview with Prophet TB Joshua, where he talks more on his early life and education, as well as his passion for compassion…

Looking at the growth of your church across the world today, would you say you ever thought that you could take evangelism to this level when you started Synagogue’s ministry?
Since it is a vision from God – a vision from God always materialises. You may not understand how it happens. There is always a driving force which no one can resist. When that vision comes, which is God’s purpose, and when that purpose manifests in our lives, it changes our actions and our location. Those who have vision concentrate on their aims and their goal.

But in between your vision and the purpose of God, kindly tell us how you were able to weather the storm in those times when your church was facing series of criticisms from some sections of the Christian fold?
The vision is from God, like I told you. He is the one that plans the future. That is how we know people of God.

Are you telling us that you don’t feel it, particularly when some prominent clergymen were kicking against you and your church? What informed your calmness and your refusal to reply your critics?
Well, in the book of Psalm 91, when you continue reading from verse 15, it says, “I would see you through.” That does not mean you would not encounter trials, like persecution – but God promised to see you through. Therefore, anything that is close to Jesus receives attack, even if it is a pen.

Okay, can you tell us about yourself. Who is Prophet TB Joshua?
(Laughs) The man TB Joshua is a man like you. If there is any difference, it is the grace of God and that grace is not worked for. The word ‘grace’ means after we must have done everything humanly possible, we must leave the issue with God. That is grace.

Several great men of God like you have told the stories of their divine calling. Can you share yours with us?
I have told you I am a man, just like you. Except for the grace of God, I would be nobody – and that grace is the opposite of merit – human labour, education or human wisdom. Your papers are marked when you go to school, but you can’t mark the character. In the case of God, after you must have done everything humanly possible, you have to leave it for God. You have no choice than to leave the issue for God to mark it. That is grace. So, let no man boast.

Remember, I asked about the story of your calling…
I think I have answered that TB Joshua is just a man like you. If there is any difference, it is just the grace, and that grace, one should not boast of it.

Your church has been dolling out millions of naira to the aged, widows and several less privileged people in the society. What is the motivation behind this?
The Bible says ‘Watch and pray’. When the Bible says ‘watch’ – this is where charity comes in. So, the acts of charity and righteousness by faith in Christ Jesus go together.

The Synagogue Church Of All Nations has been able to break the barrier of colour across the world by bringing white and black people together. How did you do it?
It is Christ. Don’t say ‘Synagogue’ please – the church is all about Jesus. Synagogue is just a name. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. What Jesus gave us is not limited to certain areas. The Bible says, if you can believe, all things are possible. The capacity in our Lord Jesus Christ is not restricted by time and distance.

If you say everything is all about Jesus, you have been able to perform several unprecedented miracles and set up committees that reconciled sworn enemies in Liberia, particularly Samuel Doe’s family. Does that mean Jesus loves only Prophet TB Joshua to have been able to do all these?
It is not man’s business at all. The way and manner Jesus executes His plans in our lives differs. Some prophets use their talents for their immediate localities while others are endowed to move round the globe. Don’t also forget that some also operate within their nations. The book of Corinthians says some were given different gifts like prophecy, deliverance power, healing etc. – while some have all. It is just by His grace and no one should boast.

From the way you preach and teach, you sound as if you were a lecturer before you took up a pastoral job. What is your academic background?
(Laughs) Lecturer? No. Well, I have a primary school certificate. That is all. That is where I stopped. Whatever you see me doing now, may be like an enlightened person, it is by the grace of God.

You mean you never attended secondary school or university?
Eh! University? That is too much. I tried to get admission into form one in those days after completing primary school. I attended almost ten secondary schools in an attempt to get admission into secondary school in Lagos State. I had to sit at home on my own for extramural lectures without a teacher for many years before I was able to sit for GCE. But all efforts to secure secondary school admission failed. I have my papers which I cannot boast was on merit. The grade I made on merit was my primary school certificate.

What were you doing after acquiring your primary school certificate? Did you attend any Bible or Pastoral college?
After my primary school education, I started gathering little children by visiting parents to ask if they wanted somebody to care for their kids by teaching them the Bible. I have never attended any seminary school or Bible college in my life.

So, that was how you started evangelism. But at least, you must have been part of a church before you started your own ministry?
I was a member of the Anglican Church before I founded The Synagogue. In fact, I was made the Chairman of the Children’s Harvest committee twice or thrice in my village. When I came to Lagos, I never attended any church.

You have been prophesying for several countries and all your prophecies came to pass. I remember you did call for prayers before Bhutto was assassinated in Pakistan. But does your silence on prophecy concerning Nigeria mean God has not been revealing to you things about this country?
It is in our record book. Come to our church on Sunday and you would be given a record of prophecies about your country. If you are not backed up by heaven, you cannot just see things on your own. Prophecy is not just a mere thing like that.

How do you spend your leisure periods?
As Mr TB Joshua or Prophet TB Joshua? Because I think you have been talking to Prophet TB Joshua.

Well, both if you don’t mind?
The way Prophet TB Joshua unwinds? I have no life of my own. The only life I have is for Christ. Christ is my joy and everything. The life I live is not my own, but in Jesus Christ.

Does that mean that you spend 24 hours meditating about the Word of God without any relaxation moment?
I am a full time pastor. Since I am not into part time evangelism, all my life – i live for Christ. That is me for you. Even during my birthday, I don’t understand what people are doing by celebrating. I don’t know, because I am not involved. It is all about Jesus.

SOURCE: National Outlook – Vol. 1 No. 33

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‘My Invisible Chain’ – TB Joshua

Another interview Pastor TB Joshua granted The Week Magazine of Nigeria…

Prophet Temitope Joshua of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations, Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos, explains the source of his strength and vision, and his care for the aged and needy, to The Week team of Clement Okitikpi (MD), Oluwasegun Abifarin (Editor) and Emeka Ngwei.

'My Invisible Chain...' - TB Joshua

How did the ministry start?
Well, I want to start by saying that no one in the world is born with great knowledge. You become what you are; you discover what you know. But if I begin to tell you the genesis of the ministry, we won’t leave here today. Discovery is for forward lookers. So, no one is born with great knowledge.

I was in a trance for three consecutive days, then I saw a hand that pointed a Bible to my heart and the Bible entered my heart and my former heart seemed to immerse with the Bible immediately. Then the awareness came and I saw the apostles and prophets of old with someone whose head I could not see because He was tall to the heaven and suspended, which I believe was our Lord Jesus Christ sitting in their midst. I also saw myself in their midst. After a while, I saw a hand of the same tall man, I could not behold His face, which was glittering with an unimaginable light, tall to the high heavens and suspended in the air. But other apostles I could see their faces, particularly Apostles Peter and Paul, Prophets Moses, Elijah and others. Their names were boldly written on their chests.

I heard a voice saying, “I am your God; I am giving you a divine commission to go and carry out the work of the Heavenly Father”. At the same time, the same hand of the tall man gave me a small cross and a big Bible, bigger than the one that entered my heart with a promise that as I keep pressing in His time and name, I would be given a bigger cross but if I fail the opposite would occur. I also heard a voice of the same tall man, I could not see His head, saying, I am the Lord your God who was and who is – Jesus Christ, giving orders to all the apostles and prophets. The same voice said to me, “I would show you the wonderful ways I would reveal myself through you, in teaching, preaching, miracles, signs and wonders for the salvation of souls”.

Since then, I have been receiving in my vision, every year according to my faithfulness to God, a bigger cross that means to me more responsibilities.

What was on your mind when you started the ministry?
That is one important area. For instance, I have been alone here (in the prayer mountain) for the last five hours. I dreamt of a place like this – a swampy area, neglected, where people or government will not dream of coming. I come here, sit here, read and meditate. Above all, I know that I am a product of grace, not the works of righteousness which I have done. I am weak; I am nobody, without formal education. What I want to say is that God has manifested His strength in my weakness. It can also be explained that I am like a dog without teeth. When you have a house and you keep without teeth as a guard, each time the enemy comes, it will bark and then the owner will come out to do the work.

Sometimes, your miracles look like magic…
When it comes to power, God Himself is the power. God often uses foolish things to confound the wise. That is why people like me will ever be grateful to God. In terms of knowledge, education and name, I am nowhere – a neglected stone. I think that is why the persecution was too much. Everything about me is nothing, nothing. But I think no man should boast.

When you were young, did you have any idea that you will one day go into pastoral work?
Then, when I was very young, one thing I knew then and that still happens to me now, is that there is an invisible chain, invisible padlock. What I want to touch, I can’t touch; what I want to say is not what I am saying. Where I want to go is not where I am going. What I want to wear is not what I am wearing. It is like there is a restriction. That has been my experience right form when I was young. That is why you will never find or see me accusing or condemning somebody. I have always restored anyone who has done any wrong in a gentle way, instead of condemning the fellow, because I know it is not by my power that I am doing the right thing.

So, I will say the work of righteousness is not my work; it is my faith in His work. The work of healing is not my work, but by faith, healing is done. The work of deliverance, great and mighty deliverance is not my work, but is my faith in Him. It is not the works of righteousness which I have done, but according to His grace. I am a product of His grace.

What’s the difference between Joshua as a person and Joshua as a prophet?
You have two natures in one person – the human and divine nature. Take our Lord Jesus for instance, for his human nature – he was a descendant of David, and for His divine nature – he was raised from the dead by the power of God.

As for TB Joshua, I am a descendant of my family in Arigidi-Akoko in Ondo State, Nigeria – but as for the divine nature, the power of God affects my life to give peace to people, deliverance to people and healing to people. Apart from the power of God, nobody would have noticed me or known where I am. So, it is the power of God that brings the difference, the challenges and an uncommon persecution. Uncommon blessing attracts uncommon persecution. Common blessing attracts common persecution. Uncommon progress attracts uncommon attacks.

Is the Ikotun Headquarters the only branch in Nigeria?
No, we have branches in Akure, Port Harcourt, Jos, Kogi and outside the country also. When you get to the church there, you will see at least 30 different countries represented. There are here to take the ministry back to their countries.

You are on satellite with Emmanuel TV, which is quite expensive. Where is the funding coming from?
Money. Something unbelievers can have should not be a problem to a child of God. Dubious and unrighteous people, they have money. How much more a man of God? So, what are you talking about? Unbelievers, they have money and throw it about. So, let’s talk about something unique. Money is not a unique thing. It is common. You see, everybody talking about money, money, money. Anybody can have money – but let’s talk of what anybody or everybody cannot have. Even the cathedral, anybody can have it. Even satan can build a big mansion; it is a question of money.

It is like you are a prophet without honour at home and among your people.
Even Jesus Christ was not popular among His people. Even till today among some Jews. We thank God for that, because if Jesus had been restricted to only His people in Palestine and Jersualem, how will people like you and me know about Christ and the Kingdom of God today, not to talk of preaching the gospel and becoming a pastor or prophet.

And even here in Nigeria, most of the popular pastors at home anchor their popularity at home on their fame abroad.

Are you also planning to go to the Lagos-Ibadan Express Road to establish a camp ground, as it is the fashion today?
Right from my youth, I have learnt not to go with the crowd. If we are in the same business of selling shoes for instance, if you are selling in Tejuosho (Yaba) market, I won’t go there. I will find another market to sell my own. That way, we are spreading. This swamp, which is our prayer mountain, is our camp.

When you also look at the missionary works outside the country, you will see all the men of God going to Europe and America. I have decided to face the Asian continent. That way, we are fulfilling the mandate of our Lord Jesus Christ to take the gospel to the end of the earth and make disciples of all nations.

What is the motivation for your help to the old and the aged?
My help is not only to the old people, but to the lonely, the weak and the poor in society. The Bible says charity and faith in Jesus Christ go together. When you say you have Jesus by faith, without the work of charity, it is nothing. This does not mean however that charity alone is enough to bring us to salvation, but it forms the basis for judging our level of kindness – because looking the other way when your brother is in trouble is equal to rejecting Christ Himself.

Then, going to the issue of aged people, in this part of our world, it seems it has become a crime to be old and aged. Even many of those who are well to do in our society, the will build a house and put their old and aged in the backyard, as if they are no more useful. But we want to tell the world that it is not a crime to be old and aged. It is time to show appreciation to God for using them to bring us into this world.

The time they cannot work again is the time we should take it upon ourselves to take care for them, like babies. The life they gave us when we were newly born, it is time to give them back now they are old. It is not the time we should isolate them, put them in isolation.

Rejection and isolation are also deadly and incurable diseases like AIDs. We are even praying for God to give us the grace to build a beautiful resort where we can bring them together and properly take care of them, give them medical attention and those who have not travelled before, we fly them outside the country for them to enjoy the best of pleasure, before they die.

For how long have you been planning this?
We have been on this for the past 10 years. It is not just now. These people have been lonely and isolated for a long time, and that has killed many of them. It is not just now that we jump into it, we have been showing that love that Christ gave to us.

I want to tell you that our position in Christ Jesus is enhanced each time we help our fellow brothers.

What has been the reaction of these people and their relations to the program?
Some of them – in fact, many of them, don’t even know me. They only see me on the television screen.

Apart from the aged, do you have programmes for other categories of the needy?
Yes, not only the aged – the Lord is also using us to cater for other categories of people. We have a program for the dwarfs and the destitute. We have also given scholarships to many university students. I don’t know any of these people, and we are not doing it to receive ‘thank-you’ from them.

How did you locate these people?
I believe many of them are not in Lagos. You people live in Lagos, and put your old people in the village.

People say you appear to them in their dream. Can you clarify this?
God can also use you. Don’t be surprised that people can dream and see you. If God can use the pool of Bethesda, He can use anyone. He uses horses and camels. God can use anything. And I want to tell you that everyone is created with a gift, and each gift is meant to meet a need. It is your gift that God will use to bless others through you. So tomorrow, God can use you to appear to other people, and to pray for them.

How much is the church investing in this care of the aged project?
For the past nine years, we started the whole thing with about 1.5million but it has gradually gone up to N6million per month. But I must tell you, my brothers, that I don’t have enough to live a flamboyant life because of all these. I even have some students that I gave scholarship to in Ghana, and many other universities in Nigeria.

It is a rare privilege to do this. We may think we are helping them. No, we are not helping them. Our position in Christ Jesus is enhanced each time we help our fellow brothers. It is a real privilege to be in a position to give. This is what Jesus meant in Matthew 25:45, that whatsoever you do or fail to do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me. In other words, Jesus has no farm where He expects you to help Him or an office where he expects you to carry files. He said my farm and office are your fellow brothers.

A lot of churches are getting into the business of establishing universities. Are you thinking along that line?
What God has commissioned me to do here is to care for these people – the destitute, the needy and the poor. So that church here can have a theology school. That is all. I should not dabble into the issue of university. Theology, from primary school to university – that is my calling. I should not dabble into science or law. Anyone that wants to study law or science should go to University of Lagos!

SOURCE: The Week Magazine – Vol. 26 No. 26

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Prophetic Birth: A Wednesday Wonder

In a touching story, Africa News reports the incredible miracle behind Mrs Joy Everbright’s safe delivery, following a prophetic revelation from TB Joshua…

It was an eruption of euphoria in Delta State, Nigeria, as a baby girl was born amidst supernatural circumstances…

Mrs Joy Everbright testifying with her new baby!

In the midst of the large crowd at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations on Sunday June 7th 2009, Pastor TB Joshua spotted Joy out with a pinpoint prophetic revelation. “There is a woman here – you are due. This is 11 months. Come out. You have been booked for operation. This is a baby girl.” Evidently shocked, Joy rushed forward. TB Joshua then prayed with her, telling her directly: “You will deliver your baby on Wednesday.”

The next week, Joy returned to the church to share her remarkable testimony. She had safely delivered her baby girl on Wednesday at 9:30am, precisely as the pastor had said. A medical doctor from the Bahamas who was present during the service confirmed, “This is indeed a miracle”, stating that an operation was the only medical option available in such a circumstance. What baffled the crowd most was the pastor’s prediction of the exact day of the baby’s birth, a declaration evidently made under divine influence.

Joshua used the occasion to explain the function of a pastor, saying: “Pastors are sent to utter the deep things of God for the conviction of sin, and for edification and comfort.” He further lamented “ministries of empty talk”, stating that many pastors don’t dabble into the area of prophecy today for fear that it will expose their lack of authenticity and authority. He reminded the congregation of the biblical standard in Deuteronomy 18:22 – “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken.”

In the same service which was broadcast live on Emmanuel TV, a couple from South Africa shared a similar testimony. Barren for 10 years due to a low sperm count and inverted womb, Mr Pieter and Mrs Gene Van Zyl joyfully explained how prayer from Pastor Joshua had wrought an incredible miracle. Now several months pregnant, Gene spoke of how the pastor had told them two years earlier that she would conceive, and admonished them to hold fast to God and His promises. “God can definitely do it for you” she encouraged the excited crowd, now that the promise had become a reality.

Pastor TB Joshua has garnered a reputation for his prophetic prowess on both a personal and international level. Recently, he is said to have prophesied the death of former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyn, the tragic plane crash in New York on Feb 13 and the release of Ingrid Betancourt from the Colombian jungle last year. The President of Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills, has publically acknowledged Joshua’s prophetic ministry, stating he had accurately revealed to him details of his three-round election victory.

Concluding his sermon, Pastor Joshua said: “The prophecies of the prophets of old became signs. Each sign said: ‘These men are from God; their message is true; believe their words.’ ”

SOURCE: Africa News

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Reflections On Prophet TB Joshua At 46 (2) – Chiji Okafor

Chiji Okafor adds more reflections on Prophet TB Joshua at 46, as published in today’s edition of ‘The National Life’…

It is amazing that anybody who lays claim to being a pastor of God (like Pastor Oritsejafor of the PFN does) should be talking about mentoring in matters of the faith as if talking about some rookie artisan being shepherded into ‘freedom’ from his master’s workshop. Such drivel simply speaks volumes of the man who utters it. It reveals the depth of vulgarity to which our ‘modern’ men of God have allowed the gospel of Jesus Christ to sink.

Anybody who boasts in God’s vineyard about his mentor and such other inane subjects as earthly endowments has simply not imbibed the lessons of Christ’s personal life. Jesus Christ the Son of God could have been born a prince, if He so chose. On the contrary, God made man, decided to come into this world, the son of a wretched carpenter born in, of all places, a manger and side-by-side animals! He had neither an earthly mentor, nor did the Bible tell us that He had doctorate degrees in sacred theology and dogmatic philosophy.

TB Joshua At 46

In His divine wisdom, God chooses whom He crowns king and decides whom He endows with any gift He likes – and we all have our different gifts. Anybody who challenges this wisdom of God Almighty blasphemes against Him, by querying His authority.
So, why would God choose a humble, even innocent, or bucolic Temitope Balogun Joshua for the enormous anointing he has received? Why didn’t He pick one of those blue-blooded, Oxford-trained peers of the realm?

One cannot exactly tell and neither can anybody else, for that matter. However, having watched Pastor Joshua very closely these past few months, followed with keen interest, the documentaries of his early ministry and his teachings and other activities on Emmanuel TV, physically witnessed his Sunday healing and miracle services at the Synagogue Church and had numerous private audiences with him, I have been privileged to glean a few facts and to learn a very important lesson about faith, from this soldier of Christ.

As humans, we usually crack in the daunting face of adversity. In fact, at some point, many of us not only give up on God, we even dare to turn against Him. In the case of Prophet Joshua, the harder the battle to survive, the greater his loyalty to his God appears to be. I have never seen anybody with such unshakable faith in what he believes, such optimism that may even look to an observer during those his ministry’s early years as mere folly.

Anybody who has seen that documentary on his early ministry, of his first church (a miserable looking shack, with about 20 worshippers) and the optimism with which he prophesied how the whole world would soon come to Synagogue Church, would simply be awed by the power of the living God and testify to His glory. A little later during those early years, Prophet Joshua who leads by example went down to such fine details as personally cleaning the toilets of the church for three long years. As he says, “In order to be able to manage success, I had to first learn how to manage poverty”. As bad as things were then, Pastor Joshua was always seen ministering to his flock with a broad smile, even as his first, second and third churches, drowned in flood waters.

In contrast to those humble beginnings, today’s Synagogue Church of All Nations is an intimidating edifice that has become one of the world’s biggest tourist destinations! If there is anything I have learnt from the story of Pastor Joshua, my interactions with the prophet and his church, it is the humility and faithfulness of God Almighty Himself, towards those that maintain abiding faith in Him, in the face of all odds. This is what Prophet TB Joshua always teaches: “Of all graces, FAITH honours Christ the most; of all graces, Christ honours FAITH the most.”

Those who today want to give Christianity a highfaluting image and discriminate against their fellow men either do not know, or simply forget its humble beginnings. The cross, the banner under which all of Christendom gathers derives from an ancient mystical symbol, which many may refer to as (sorry for that derogatory word) pagan.

The Celtic cross, a religious symbol seen all over Britain, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, has a long history that presages Christianity itself. Its four arms are interpreted as the four elements of earth, wind, water and fire. It also represents the four directions of the compass – north, south, east, west – and the four parts of man – mind, soul, heart, and body.

This is also the basis of the Jewish Tetragrammaton, represented by the Hebrew letters, Yod, He, Vau, He, with the last He, bearing a dot, symbolising completion, just like the shoot of a dormant seed. Those four Hebrew letters, together, spell out Yahuvah, or Jehovah, the elements that emanated from the Divine Essence at the point of Creation, as documented in the first chapter of Genesis. I had written extensively about this in the past and the correlation between this Biblical account of the beginning of space-time and the Quantum Theory in particle physics is indeed amazing!

One and the same concept runs through most major mystical-religious concepts of all civilisations, worldwide, from ancient, so-called primitive African and Amerindian cultures, to Indo-Chinese, European and Arabic cultures and more. This universal symbolism is seen in the Popol Vuh, the Holy Book of the Quiche Maya of South America. It is the Yin and Yang of Taoist China, also symbolised by the Dance of Shiva, in the Indian Sanskrit.

Back here, in Africa, this same symbolism is seen in the ancient drawings of the Dogon of Mali, as it is in Ghana’s Adinkra culture. It is the Creation Snake that Wole Soyinka talks about in his “Idanre and Other Poems”, which the Igbo celebrate in the New Yam festival, the basis of their four market days and their lunar calendar, depicted by the Uli motif of the kola nut head.

Ancient Egyptians equally celebrated the feast of Eostre in honour of the goddess of fertility and the endless cycles of the death of winter and the birth of spring. The Romans borrowed the same practice and baptised it Saturnalia. It is this very old belief, depicted by the image of the Egyptian Ankh or the Crux Ansata, which found its way into Judaeo-Christian theology, that the first Christians adopted and celebrated as Easter, directly borrowing its name from the goddess: “Unless the grain falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies it brings forth much fruit.” (John 12:24).

To think that the symbol of the very basis of the Christian faith, the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary and the power of New Life in the Risen Christ, had its humble beginnings in the faiths of peoples we would now rather turn up our noses at, as pagans, is a lesson in God’s own humility and mysterious but wise ways. It teaches us never to look down on anybody but rather, to embrace all. From the high priests of quantum physics, to the lowly African chief priests and sages, to our modern, “funky pastors”, we should have nothing but respect for our fellow man, for it is only God Himself who can tell who worships Him in truth and in spirit.

This is another major lesson that Pastor Joshua teaches everyone with his unique ministry. At the Synagogue Church, you find people of all races and creeds. You find the very rich and the very poor, the homeless, beggars, everybody, side-by-side. You even find grandmasters of the occult that have come to receive deliverance. Nobody discriminates against anybody and people are actually encouraged after receiving their healing, to go back to their respective churches or mosques.

I am yet to see this in other Pentecostal churches and this ecumenism, I believe, is the message of Christ’s mission while on earth.

SOURCE: Chiji Okafor – The National Life

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