Joy Anyim
Brief, purposeful, impactful, philanthropic and controversial, are just some of the words that best describe the life and time of televangelist, Prophet Temitope Balogun (TB) Joshua, the founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), who passed on early hours of Sunday, June 6.
Said to have died at age 57, and just a few days to his birthday, June 12, Prophet Joshua caved a niche for himself as a prophet of instant miracles. His healing and deliverance ministry, as well as making predictions and prophecies, also earned him globally recognition.
According to Wikipedia, his church, located on a large expanse of land in Ikotun -Egbe, a suburb in Lagos, Nigeria, played host to at least 50,000 persons weekly, from different parts of the world, including politicians, footballers, the sick, and those said to be possessed by demons.
Although numerous testimonies characterised his ministry, many critics queried his style, especially the sales of bottled holy water which was claimed to be potent for healing, deliverance, prosperity and others.
His shocking exist, which he subtly talked about during a meeting with partners of the ministry last Saturday, has however left many questions about his over 30-year-old ministry unanswered.
Exploits in Ministry
The SCOAN church was founded in 1987, by the Ondo born TB Joshua. Said to have started with only eight members, the church grew in fame and number as illnesses that defiled medicine were healed.
A typical example of such healing was a video obtained by Nigerian Xpress on YouTube, where a woman simply identified as Elizabeth, who had lived with HIV for five years, was healed of the virus at SCOAN in 2011.
Before and after test results was shared by the woman, who testified of her healing from the dreaded virus.
Similarly, while the Covid-19 virus ravaged nations of the world, the man of God, had in a virtual ministration, prayed for Covid-19 patients in Isolation Centres in Honduras.
Several patients instantly received their healings as seen in a video on YouTube shared in 2020.
In the same years, Joshua had also visited Nazareth in Is real for an outreach, where he healed people from diverse infirmities.
According to a missionary, identified as Gregory, “Whether the problem is from birth or family generation, issues coke to conclusion ken the man o God prays.”
Gregory was also healed of chronic neck pain. Several others also received their healings.
In 2017, when George Weah was also seeking election as the president of Liberia, he visited SCOAN.
The visit which was primarily to seek the will of God for his country was claimed by some to have contributed to his victory at the polls.
Although the prophet did not directly pray for himself to win, he admonished the politician to trust in God and that only the will of God will be done.
The church had also played host to other top politicians like Late John Atta Mills of Ghana, Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe’s, Julius Malema of South African amongst others.
Joshua the Philanthropist
Described by many as a man with a large heart, Joshua’s philanthropic gestures cut across all countries of the world.
The SCOAN bags of rice is the most popular of such gestures. Security operatives, orphanages, hospitals, and correctional factories have at different times received this gesture.
At the Lagos State Police Command, it is a regular feat for Joshua to send trailers of bags of rice to policemen attached to the command, during festivities.
Victims of human trafficking were rehabilitated by SCOAN and aided to start up a new life.
In 2014, the prophet had reportedly donated N35million to Columbia, to improve the lives of the less privileged in the country.
Ghana Prison Service had also received bags of rice to aid the feeding of inmates, gift items were also donated to Karachi West District Hospital, and the Ghana Police also got operational vehicles from SCOAN.
At the peak of the Ebola Virus in Sierra Leone, Joshua had sent bottles of holy water amongst other relief items to the country to help them contain the virus.
His home town in Argidi in Ondo state also enjoyed tremendous benefits from the deceased pastor, who aided the installation of a stable electricity supply in the town.
His football club, My People FC, had also helped aspiring player to attain international platforms with new talents discovered regularly.
A resident of Ikotun, who also talked about the kindness of the SCOAN general overseer said the community enjoyed adequate security, thanks to him.
He claimed Joshua went the extra mile to support the local police division with resources and vehicles to do their job.
“ Things the government could not do, Prophet Joshua did for us. His ministry made our business flourish because people were also coming to his church. He even gave vehicles to the police and this made them willing to do their job.
“ If you don’t have a means of livelihood and go to the church for help, you will definitely be assisted. Some of our youths were working there, now that he is no more I fear the worst.”
Controversies of his ministry
Despite the many exploits, Joshua’s ministry was not without hitches, controversies and doubts.
In 2013, there was a stampede in Accra, the Capital of Ghana, when a crowd scampered to get the bottled holy water.
The stampede resulted in the death of no fewer than four persons, while 30 others were reportedly injured.
Also in 2014, a six-storey building guesthouse situated in the premises of the church headquarters in Ikotun collapsed and killed at least 115 persons, most of whom were said to be South Africans.
The Lagos State Government had constituted an inquest into the cause of the collapse and further dragged the building engineers in charge of the project, Messrs Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun to Court on charges of manslaughter.
The prophet was also alleged of an attempt to cover up the case which many said has smeared the reputation of the ministry.
Recently, his YouTube channel was blocked after he shared a video claiming to have healed a homosexual woman. In response, Joshua had said “Help me pray for YouTube. Pray for them, we must consider them friends, we must be strong.”
The infamous sales of holy water have also been greeted with several criticisms. Even after his death, some have dragged him for misleading his followers with the said potent holy water.
An On-Air Personality (OAP), Sandra Ezekwesili had furthers dragged the prophet even after his death was announced.
Via her Twitter handle, @SEzekwesili, she writes: “TB Joshua was reportedly I’ll and went to the hospital. Did he teach his numerous followers to try hospitals and not abandon their medication for holy water and anointing oil? His ministry did a lot of damage. Any conversation that doesn’t include that is dishonest.”
Nigerians react to his death
Many have described the death of Joshua as a huge loss. In his condolence message, President Muhammadu Buhari commiserated with the family and members of SCOAN on the passing of their father and founder.
In the message signed by Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the President noted that the renowned televangelist will be missed by his followers all over the world not only for his spiritual contributions but for touching many lives through philanthropic gestures.
“President Buhari urges Pastor Joshua’s followers to take solace in the knowledge that life is not measured and defined by chronological longevity but by enduring legacies and lives touched positively.
“He also condoles with the government and people of Ondo State and prays that God Almighty will accept the soul of the departed pastor,” the message read.
Similarly, the Ondo state government had also mourned the loss of the spiritual giant.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Richard Olatunde, the state government said: “He won souls for Christ, he was passionate about changing lives.
“He demonstrated timelessly, an alluring service to humanity and compassion by assisting not only his home local government, Akoko North West. Other adjoining local governments in Akoko land benefitted from his large heart of benevolence.
“Of significant note too, Pastor Joshua never hesitated to assist in whatever manner the Ondo State Government desired such.
“To us in Ondo State, we consider this a personal loss. He was a pride to the Sunshine State.
“Not only Africa is hit hard; this is a great global knock as his Pastor TB Joshua’s ministry attracted an immeasurable foreign followership. Christendom has lost a giant.”
The publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu also tool to his Facebook. page to mourn the late prophet.
In two separate posts, he had said: “I will never forget the role PROPHET TEMITOPE BALOGUN JOSHUA played in supporting PROFESSOR JOHN EVANS FIIFI ATTA MILLS to power as President of Ghana… May their souls rest in peace…”
He also prayed for his wife and children. “My own Sister MAMA EVELYN T. B. JOSHUA. you’re in my thoughts and prayers… May the good Lord continue to protect you, your children, the Synagogue congregation and your well-wishers…”