Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, founder of the Believers Loveworld Ministries, also known as Christ Embassy, has suspended one of his pastors in Lagos, Michelle Okojie, for her “subversive activities.”
According to a statement read during Sunday’s service by Ray Okocha, the church’s Secretary General, Pastor Michelle Okojie had been visiting church members in private and slandering the ministry.
“It has come to our attention that Pastor Michelle Okojie has been visiting church members in private and slandering the ministry, engaging in subversive activities that are against the scriptures.” .
Citing Bible passages from Romans 16:17-20 and Titus 3:10 wherein Christians were told to “watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles,” the church warned every member of the congregation to stay away from Ms. Okojie.
“The church is not a social club where you can walk in and walk out at will and live disorderly. Pastor Michelle is hereby suspended from the fellowship. Avoid her. Do not fellowship with her. Do not try to counsel her or receive counsel from her. All you can do is direct her to her pastor. Do not be a partaker of another man’s sin.”
Efforts by PremiumTimes to ascertain from the church members the real reasons for Ms. Okojie’s suspension were unsuccessful as all the church members approached for comments declined to speak. But one who spoke over the telephone said that the pastor was suspended for blasphemy. The church member who did not want her name mentioned for faith reasons told PremiumTimes:
She has been suspended for blaspheming against the ministry. But we don’t know exactly why. My zonal pastor just told us we should not have communication with her.”
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome also enjoined his congregation to refrain from speaking against a man of God. Mr. Oyakhilome described a man of God – as different from a preacher – as one who had been given a revelation from heaven.
“To speak against the man of God is to bring a curse on yourself and your children. When you hear people speaking against a man of God, move away from there. Men of God don’t just talk. When they speak, God is forced to move.”
Sunday’s service was Mr. Oyakhilome’s first appearance to the Lagos branch since the news of his divorce broke last month, and he meticulously stayed away from discussing the saga. He had conducted the service via a telecast from the branch in Pretoria, South Africa.
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