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It was a tensed atmosphere at the Synagogue Church of Nations Church (SCOAN) in Lagos on Sunday after its founder, Prophet T.B. Joshua was confirmed dead.
The usual bubbling SCOAN that is always full of congregational activities all through the days of the week wore a mourning look on Sunday, the church’s peak service day due its founder’s death.
TheNewsGuru.com, TNG gathered that Joshua died on Saturday (yesterday) moments after he reportedly ministered via the church’s cable television channel, Emmanuel TV.
TNG reports that the soft spoken cleric married with two girls would have clocked 58 on June 12.
‘You know June 12 is around the corner. However, as a man of the people, I won’t be celebrating my birthday this year due to the challenges worldwide. I can’t be celebrating my birthday while others are in pain. There are many birthdays to celebrate,’ the popular prophet said in a viral message circulating on social media.
It is hard to believe papa is gone – SCOAN members lament
Members of SCOAN in their thousands trooped to the church premises on Sunday to confirm if the unfortunate news of the prophet was true. Many felt it was a test of the prophet and their faith saying ‘Papa can’t just die. He’ll come back to life’.
‘I came to the church for service this morning only to be hit with the rude shock that my Prophet T.B. Joshua is dead. Prophet was never sick nor tired. How can he die? What kind of death is this? I want to believe this a dream or test of his faith. The T.B. Joshua that I know will come back to life,’ a bewildered SCOAN member who identified as Brother Jude said.
Another church member who couldn’t control her tears said: ‘I can’t even imagine that Papa will die in 50 years. This man lived his entire life for the people. He was never appreciated for all his good deeds. I can’t begin to list what he has donefor my family and I. This is not true and I won’t accept it to be true’.
Prophet Joshua changed our lives for good – Employees
Employees of SCOAN are still finding it hard to swallow the bitter pill of Prophet T.B. Joshua’s death. They explained in details the phophet’s selflessness and commitment to staff welfare. They hope that soonest the news of the prophet’s passing will be congratulations confirmed as false.
‘If just five percent of pastors in Nigeria act like Prophet Joshua does this country would have moved forward. The man is down to earth and never forces people to attend his church. He changed our lives for good. I’ve been working in this church’s security unit for years and our welfare is of utmost importance to the prophet. My life and indeed that of my colleagues has change for good. The man foots our bills without asking. His type is rare. His not too much into religion. What he preaches all the time is love. Let love lead. That is his moto,’ a security detail who does not want to named said.
Our benefactor is gone – Community leaders
The mourning was not limited to SCOAN members. Residents of Ikotun-Egbe and its environs hosting the sprawling SCOAN edifice could not be consoled when reality of the prophet’s passing downed on them. They highlighted how the prophet brought unrivaled developments to the community since erecting the church there.
‘Prophet T.B. Joshua is our benefactor in this community and by extension adjourning areas. This man is God sent to us. He saved and empowered lives since founding this church here.
The vibrant security and regular power supply we enjoy here is his making. I don’t know how we will survive his sudden death. As a matter of fact, Synagogue Church is not a Nigerian church, it is a global church. Eighty percent of his members are foreigners. You can imagine the opportunities that we have having him around us,’ a community leader in Ikotun who identified in as Mr. Saheed said.
Amongst other things, the community leaders said Phophet Joshua facilitated scholarships for indigent students, paid rents, provided transformers, food items, financial support for both members and non-members of the church.