A member of Christ Embassy Church,
(aka Loveworld International) has
revealed plans by the church to spend
about $30million in celebrating the next
birthday of its founder and overseer,
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
Al Akhigbe who is apparently unhappy
with the trend, took to Facebook
Wednesday to voice his misgivings. He
added that members of the Church have
been instructed to contribute varying
sums of money, running into millions of
dollars for the celebration.
Writing in the Facebook page, ‘Where is
Rev Anita Oyakhilome’, in response to a
letter he received from someone in the
church on the issue, Akhigbe revealed
that every zone of the church in Nigeria
is being asked to contribute about $1.3
million towards the birthday celebration,
which amounts to about $30 million
taken together, not reckoning with what
members in Ghana, South Africa and
other countries would be donating.
Akhigbe wondered why such an amount
should accrue to one man in the name
of birthday celebration, when so many
members of the church are living in
poverty.
Akhigbe lamented that a man receiving
such an amount for a mere birthday
celebration would most likely be too
proud to admit to doing wrong or even
to take advice from others.
Known as Offer 7 by church members,
contributions for the Senior Pastor’s
birthday celebration is said to be an
annual event in the church.
The Nigerian Times could not however
ascertain whether the contributions are
voluntary, or whether they have been
made mandatory for every member by
the leadership of the church.
Here’s the full text of Akhigbe’s
Facebook post:
”Esteemed Group Pastor,
Warm greetings in the matchless name
of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen. Congratulations on the just
concluded International Pastors and
Partners Conference (IPPC). I have
been directed by our highly esteemed
Zonal Director, Pastor ———– to remind
you of your Financial commitment to
offer 7, the birthday of our dear Man of
God, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Phd.
The
minimum target for each Group is ten
million Naira only (N10,000,000.00).
Kindly note that the money is expected
on or before 2nd December as you are
aware that the birthday is on the 7th of
December.
Thank you for your outstanding
commitment to the vision of our
ministry.
Signed—–”
Akhigbe’s reaction to the letter
“Now, the above letter just hit my email
box. And I thought I should share a
thought or two for the benefit of those
who don’t know why we are doing what
we are doing.
“Now, in this zone, there are twelve
groups plus the zonal church. The
twelve groups will give a total sum of
N120,000,000.00 and the zonal church
will give N100,000,000.00 making a
total of N220,000,000.00 (equivalent of
approximately USD $1.3 million dollars).
Let us assume every zone in Nigeria
alone gives $1 million dollars each,
about $30 million dollars will accrue to
one man. Ghana will give big, SA will
not lag behind et cetera. Tell me why
the man will not play God? This is aside
the personal effects that will be sold on
that day for tens of millions of dollars.
Why should such a man admit to
wrongdoing or take correction from a
mere mortal? It can only take God to
bring him to his kneels.
“Ironically, those being fleeced of these
monies are suffering and shouting
hallelujah while our apostles live in
flagrant luxury. Some businesses have
grounded, homes broken, people
pauperized because of these ungodly
extortions. Giving is a Godly principle
that works for Christian, pagans,
Muslims, Buddhists, anyone and
anywhere. But these manipulated
exploitation of God’s people is certainly
not of God.
“Someone correct me if I’m wrong, how
many times did Jesus celebrate his
birthday? Okay, birthday was not in
vogue then. We knew some people
WILLINGLY ministered to Him of their
substances. But how many times did
Jesus call for donations or give his
disciples targets to meet to enable Him
run His ministry? Oh, I forgot, Jesus
was too divine for such. Then, can
someone show me which of the apostles
or disciples that did it? All the doctrines
of giving that is enforced in this ministry
are borrowed from the old testament.
When it concerns money, old testament
is applied. But when it concerns
righteousness, you are reminded that
old testament have been abolished.
That is why every iniquity they commit
are explained away in the concept of
sin.
“As I explained in my book Acts Of Our
Apostles, one of the major reasons most
African nations are poor is the rate at
which our churches mop up money from
circulation. The already poor people are
dispossessed of their meagre incomes
to the tune of billions of dollars every
year, not to be invested in any beneficial
project for them, but to provide luxury
and tin god status for the pastors. Offer
7, Offer 1, 2, 3 to 31 are all avenues for
filthy lucre. Any endeavour that has no
benefits to mankind is futile.”
Source: Nigerian Times
