The death of founder of Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN),Temitope Joshua may not be a breaking news again, but investigation has revealed that before his death, he advised his congregants to dedicate his birthday for prayer and fasting.
Penpushing reports that, the Nigerian televangelist popularly called T.B. Joshua, made this known in his sermon ahead of his June 12 birthday, adding that as things stand, it would not be easy for him to celebrate his birthday under the present circumstances .
The fiery preacher in a one minute video clip in custody of Penpushing media , said no doubt he is a man of the people, but pointed out that celebrating his birthday in grandstyle this year, may not be visible nor realistic
‘Viewers around the world. June 12 is around the corner, as you know am a man of the people, so the wound of one is a wound of all, as things stand ,you may have realized ,it would not be easy for me to celebrate my birthday under the present circumstances’, he said .
‘Some of the people who want to come are troubled by the situation all over the world. We see their fear and worry. I feel their pain, I feel their worry, therefore let us dedicate this day to prayer and fasting. Don’t forget the needy, by the grace of God more birthdays ahead. God bless you, Emmanuel. Jesus is Lord. Happy birthday’, Joshua emphasised
Penpushing also reports that the Church authority had earlier on Sunday morning announced the demise of the founder and thereafter , some residents and church members gathered at the church premises to mourn the death.
The late Pastor has millions of followers across the world with many African leaders and celebrities visiting his church for prayers and support, while he also courted controversy with some of his preachings and recently had his Youtube page shutdown by the network over a video of an assault on a young woman in his church.
Penpushing further reports that, Joshua was born June 12, 1963, a Nigerian Charismatic Pastor, Televangelist and Philanthropist, a leader and founder of The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a Christian Megachurch that runs the Emmanuel Television station from Lagos.
The deceased was known for his popularity across Africa and Latin America and his social media presence with 3,500,000 fans on Facebook, while his YouTube channel, Emmanuel TV, had over 1,000,000 YouTube subscribers and was the world’s most viewed Christian ministry on the platform before it was suspended
Penpushing reports that, the late cleric was described as the “Oprah of Evangelism” and “YouTube’s most popular Pastor” ,while he was awarded various accolades, notably receiving the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic(OFR) by the Nigerian Government in 2008.
The late Joshua was being voted the Yoruba man of the decade by Pan-Yoruba media outlet Irohin-Odua and was called one of Africa’s 50 most influential people by Pan-African magazines, The Africa Report and New African Magazine.
Penpushing also reports that, as of 2011, according to Forbes Joshua was Nigeria’s third-richest Pastor, although the claim was immediately denied in a statement by the church, while he was known to be controversial, and was even ‘blacklisted’ by the government of Cameroon in 2010
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