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.
