In a bombshell announcement that shocked congregants and viewers of
Emmanuel TV alike, Nigerian Prophet T.B. Joshua declared his intentions to
leave Nigeria and relocate his ministry to the nation of Israel.
Speaking to a rapt
multi-national audience at his church service on Sunday 30th April
2017, Joshua disclosed that he had just returned from the ‘Holy Land’ after
holding meetings with three prominent Israeli mayors of Jerusalem, Tiberias and
the Jordan Valley.
According to the
cleric, they offered both land and facilities in an area around the biblical
site of the Sea of Galilee for the Nigerian Pastor to organise meetings for
international pilgrims.
“This is where my
Father in Heaven came from – it’s non-negotiable,” Joshua explained,
adding it was not a decision he undertook lightly.
“It’s the best
place for you to meet Prophet T.B. Joshua. After your healing, blessing and
deliverance, you can move around all the spiritual monuments which will
establish your faith,” he further clarified.
Joshua said his
decision to leave was not connected to the “persecution” he endured
during his ministry.
However, he hoped
the move would help people to “appreciate” what his ministry had been
contributing to both the local economy and Nigeria’s international image.
“This is the most
persecuted ministry in the world. Who are the people persecuting the ministry?
My people, Africa,”
Joshua bluntly stated, adding that this ‘treatment’ had led him into a life of
virtual isolation.
“That is why I
choose to live a lonely life. If you want to see me, come to this church. I
don’t go out. It has not been easy – because I don’t know who is a friend or
who is an enemy. If you learn T.B. Joshua is not around, I am in a revival. I
live in the church here. I don’t have a house outside.”
“Anytime you pray,
remember Africa in prayer,” the cleric solemnly continued to an
audience which included over 3,000 foreign nationals who flew into Nigeria to
attend the church service.
“Many heroes and
great people have been chased out of Africa. There are many geniuses in the
Western world who are originally from Africa.”
The cleric pointed
to the example of heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua who was allegedly
turned down by Nigerian sporting authorities when he wanted to represent the
country.
“What happened to
me from the beginning of my ministry is enough to chase me out of this country
- but I am still in your midst. Upon the persecution and hatred – I decided to
follow the path of love. You show hatred; I show love. When I go for a revival,
you will see the stadium full but I am not carried away by that. I leave where
I’m celebrated to live where I’m persecuted.”
The cleric then
advised congregants: “Where you are not celebrated is the best place to
stay, to get strength. When you are in the midst of a battle, you are building
yourself. That is why I decided to stay where I am not celebrated here in
Nigeria. When the grace of God is amid challenges, it gets stronger.”
According to the
cleric, the invitation to Israel came due to the growing popularity of Joshua’s
television channel Emmanuel TV, which is especially known on YouTube.
“Your life can
preach a better sermon than your mouth,” he exhorted the congregation,
stating that the Israeli officials had observed his ministry from afar before
inviting him.
No timeframe for
the move was specified in the service and it was not clear
whether activities in The SCOAN's Ikotun-Egbe base would cease entirely.
Joshua concluded by
counselling people: “Don’t destroy your relationships beyond repair because the
person who fights you today can be your saviour tomorrow.”
The shock
announcement will come as a blow to Nigeria’s religious tourism industry.
Statistics from the
Nigerian Immigration Services revealed that six out of every ten travelers to
Nigeria go to The SCOAN, with countless local businesses and hotels in the area
relying on the church activities for their sustenance.
Ihechukwu Njoku -
freelance Nigerian journalist
Pictures taken from
T.B. Joshua Ministries Facebook Page
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Society