By Frank Tietie
Amidst the mystery, shock and grief that have greeted the death and the just concluded burial ceremonies of Africa’s most widely recognised preacher and philanthropist, in recent times, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), certain reflections on his life and times have become pertinent.
Firstly, how did a rustic Nigerian man who began his early gospel ministry with a pack of locals in booths made from palm fronds, grow to become the most celebrated African preacher by sitting Heads of States, international celebrities and nationals from almost every country of the world?
Arguably, apart from the Evangelist Dr Billy Graham and perhaps, Reinhard Bonnke, no other Christian man of God seemed to have commanded the kind of worldwide acclaim in the magnificent manner as TB Joshua did from his single church location in Lagos, Nigeria.
It is a matter of fact that in faraway countries like Peru, Cuba, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Haiti, India and many others in the Middle East, South East Asia, Far East, Europe, Latin America, Australia, and especially the whole Continent of Africa, TB Joshua commanded a charismatic following that bewildered conventional gospel ministers in his home country, Nigeria who considered him to be unlearned in biblical orthodoxy or Pentecostal compliance.
TB Joshua’s ministry was indeed characterised with unconventional demonstration of supernatural powers in the manners of healing the sick with electrifying and highly mysterious exorcisms yet he was soft spoken and his debonair looks depicted him as a harmless character.
The leadership of the Christian Community in Nigeria ostracised TB Joshua perhaps out of awe or envy and reprimanded any within its fold that dared to associate wholesomely with him. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome had a bitter lesson to learn from his sincere association with TB Joshua as Pastor Chris Okotie of the Household of God Church led a vicious tirade in attack of Prophet Joshua whom he accused of trying to corrupt Oyakhilome’s ministry and attempting to get some Pentecostal endorsements which the Synagogue Church lacked.
Okotie described TB Joshua as a wizard who was using occultic powers. He only echoed the minds of many preachers who actually saw TB Joshua more as a rival than a co-worker in the vineyard of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What Prophet TB Joshua lacked in Nigeria and was deprived of him by the Nigerian Christian community, he gained in unquantifiable terms from the rest of the world. Many of his followers believed that his wealth and relatively worldwide acceptance were endorsement of God which were more important than the approvals of jealous Nigerian preachers.
Prophet TB Joshua operated a single church location in Lagos, Nigeria and never had any branches in any part of the world despite his worldwide acceptability. He chose not to collect offerings and tithes from people whom he considered poor yet he commanded hundreds of millions of dollars which supported his unprecedented humanitarian campaigns across the world. In addition to his healing ministry, he often chartered cargo planes to deliver relief materials to disaster struck parts of the world. He gave money to the poor in Nigeria and all over the world and put many young people on educational and vocational scholarships.
His record of philanthropy cannot be easily compiled yet he is considered by a large section of the leadership of the Nigerian Christian community to be of the devil. There must be a lot more from these Nigerian preachers to cure the contradictions they depict of him as a as preacher with the power of the devil as good does not usually proceed from evil.
Like the Lord Jesus Christ experienced Himself, a prophet is not without honour save in his own country. He was even accused of using the powers of Beelzebub, the evil prince of the air. While the whole world stood still for Prophet TB Joshua, majority of Nigerians cared less about his death and burial. Many in Nigeria chose to use the occasion of his passage to dig up unsubstantiated dirt about his person and ministry as if there are any among them that are without sin.
The Federal Government of Nigeria and Government of Lagos State failed to properly and commensurately dignify TB Joshua in death for the enormous goodwill and prosperity that he brought to Nigeria like no other person in recent history.
The Federal Government did not send a high-powered delegation as it should to the burial ceremonies neither did the Lagos State government whose residents benefited greatly from his ministry. When will a country like Nigeria learn to proudly identify and stand for its own plainly on merits? TB Joshua’s feats were not ordinary and they must so recognised without the judgemental fallibility of mortal men who thought of him as a rival in spiritual conquest. Would it be different if a non-preacher achieved all that TB Joshua did?
A man of goodwill will not lack honour even in death. TB Joshua’s followers and friends demonstrated love and fidelity to him at his death and burial. In tears and admiration, they recalled the supernatural demonstrations, humility and generosity which accompanied his ministry. People came from all of the world draped in their national flags and close associates like Femi Fani Kayode defiantly paid their last respect for a man they considered great. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu stood out in solidarity and love for the memory of TB Joshua and his family. That is how it should be at the point of death of a man whose life extended beyond him.
The leadership of the mainstream Nigerian Christian community must realise that the culture wars in the Nigerian society remain constant and that it must consider whether or not it is winning at all.
The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is about the immediate and eternal wellbeing of the souls of men. The major instrument in the gospel’s quest is love. A perception by the potential recipients of the gospel that its preachers lack love may serve more as a hindrance to its evangelism.
TB Joshua strove to be identified with both the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) yet he was rejected for being a nonconformist without traceable roots yet he had large throngs that believed him. Perhaps if the rest of the Christian leadership accepted him, they would have been able to better understand and correct him on doctrinal issues. They missed the opportunity and chose to act on rumours and conjectures instead.
Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
– Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Chapter 14: Verse 4, KJV
Rest in Peace, Prophet T.B. Joshua, you have played your role and the world knew you passed through in no ordinary manner.
Frank Tietie
Human Rights Lawyer and Executive Director Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER) writes from Abuja, Nigeria