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 organize 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 counseling people: “Don’t
destroy your relationships beyond repair
because the person who fights you today can
be your savior 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.
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