Thursday 30 October 2014

Synagogue building has no approval, says commissioner

October 31, 2014 by Ramon Oladimeji

TB Joshua

The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Develpoment, Oluwatoyin Ayinde, has said that the collapsed six-storey building of the Synagogue Church of All Nations has no government approval.

Ayinde stated this on Thursday while giving testimony before the coroner probing the cause of the building collapse.

No fewer than 116 persons died while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the September 12, 2014 tragedy.

Ayinde said investigations conducted by his ministry after the accident revealed that though the six-storey building had a record of survey, it however had no approval of the government.

He said the only thing found in the records was an approval for the church’s main auditorium, adding that though that auditorium had now been raised to eight floors, the approval given was only for five floors.

The commissioner, who described all unapproved structures in the church’s premises as illegal, stated that there was the need to investigate what he described as unusual practices going on within the church premises.

Ayinde wondered why, for instance, one of the columns supporting the additional three floors placed on the main auditorium had to take off from the top of a water tank.

He said, “The approval that we saw was in the name of the Synagogue Church of All Nations dated January 26, 2004 but that approval was just for the main auditorium and one of the things we discovered was that it was an approval for a five-floor development. But on our visit to the site, we discovered that the building had been taken to eight floors; we do not have the records of the additional floors, making those floors illegal construction.

“Did we see anything on the collapsed building? No. In our records, the collapsed building has no approval.”

He added, “I’d like to say that with the additional structure we saw on site, we are inclined to express some fears. We have seen, for example, that one of the columns is not taking off from the ground floor, but it is resting on an existing water tank and I don’t know whether any engineer certified that construction. This needs to be investigated because it is an unusual practice to start a column middle way.”

While expressing doubts over the claim by the church that the collapse of the building was connected with some aircrafts that had hovered over it shortly before the accident, Ayinde stated that his investigations revealed that the distance between the said aircraft and the top of the building was one and a half the length of a football pitch.

He added that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had written a letter to his ministry showing a request by the Nigeria Air Force that some of their aircrafts were going to be having rehearsals at that time around that place.

He said, “What we wanted to know was which aircrafts were flying at that particular time? Two, at what altitude were they flying? And three, what was the coordinate of their flight path?”

$9.3m arms deal: Secret panel clears Oritsejafor, Asari-Dokubo

Oritsejafor

$9.3m arms deal: Secret panel clears Oritsejafor, Asari-Dokubo

Posted by: Yusuf Alli, Abuja in Featured, News 2 days ago

A SECRET panel raised by the Federal Government has reportedly cleared the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayo Oritsejafor, and Alhaji Mujahideen Asari-Dokubo of involvement in the $9.3 million arms’ deal.
The panel said it was statutory and legitimate for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to issue end-user certificate for arms transactions.
But the identities of members of the panel, mostly drawn from security agencies, were kept secret last night.
But a lawyer, Ibrahim Ahmed, faulted such a secret clearance by the government.
A statement made in Abuja by PRNigeria claimed that the panel had submitted its report to the Presidency.
PRNigeria is a media outfit close to security agencies, through which important information are released to the public.
The statement said: “”A Special Team, comprising security agents, intelligence experts and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has investigated the $9.3m cash-for- arms deal and submitted its report to the Presidency.
“The committee confirmed that the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, had no connection with the transaction.
“It was true that the CAN President’s jet was used, but we found out that it was without his knowledge. As at the time in question, the aircraft was on lease. And you may be aware that the lease trend is peculiar to private jet owners in the country.
“It is the view of the committee that Oritsejafor cannot be held liable for any shuttle made by a lease firm.
“As for the manifest of the plane, the committee also discovered that the Niger Delta activist, Mujaheedin Asari-Dokubo, was not among those on board the transaction aircraft. There was no mention of Dokubo in the manifest presented during the investigation.”
The statement added: “The committee’s findings revealed that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has the statutory and legitimate mandate to issue end-user certificate for such arms transactions. The imputations surrounding the role of the ONSA were unfounded, baseless and ill-motivated.
“The decision of South Africa to return $15million to Nigeria lent credence to the legality of the transaction. Certainly, Nigeria had no case to answer”.
Ahmed faulted such a secret clearance by the government.
He said: “It is within the ambit of the law for the Federal Government to set up a panel to look into the allegations surrounding the ill-fated transactions.
“However, the fact that the public was left in the dark as to the members constituting the panel as well as the details of the proceedings surely has a roller coaster-effect on the credibility of the outcome of the panel’s findings.”
A private aircraft belonging to Oritsejafor last month conveyed some unnamed persons and cash to South Africa, ostensibly to purchase arms from the black market to help bolster Nigeria’s fight against terrorists in parts of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
This led to widespread speculations in the media and sentiments expressed by politicians on the issue.
The three individuals on board the aircraft were briefly detained in South-Africa, while the cash was confiscated by the country’s financial authorities.

Police arrest pastor who owns Ikorodu ritualist’s den {PHOTO} pastor ritualists Remember last week we brought you a story on the discovery of a ritualist’s den in Ikorodu owned by a pastor whose name is Ernest Nwankwo. Ernest Nwankwo, the General Overseer of Holy Family Ministry, a.k.a House of Mercy, located in the Ogolonto area of Ikorodu, Lagos, has finally been arrested by the Nigerian police almost a week after he escaped following the arrest of one of his church members who was caught trying to kidnap her neighbour’s 7 year old son. The woman, Rosemary Chukwu, claimed her pastor had sent her to kidnap the boy for ritual purpose. According to Vanguard, Nwankwo, who was arrested around Ebute Metta area of Lagos yesterday, is currently at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos. Nwankwo has since denied that the building on Oshodi Street in Ikorodu where eight victims were found is a ritualists’ den. He said the building was used to keep lunatics.. Ernest Nwankwo went on the run on Wednesday 25th June 2014 from his Ogolonto den in Ikorodu, Lagos after 8 kidnapped victims were rescued from him and his gang.

Read more at: Police arrest pastor who owns Ikorodu ritualist’s den {PHOTO} | LATEST NIGERIAN NEWS BREAKING HEADLINES NEWSPAPERS

Many Pastors are into occultism – Apostle Anselm Madubuko

By Chidinma Eze

The General Overseer of Revival Assembly Church, Ogba, Apostle Anselem Madubuko, has divulged in a recent interview with Yes! Magazine that a lot of pastors carry out their pastoral assignment as occult men and not as true men of God.
“It is painful for me to see what so many pastors are doing. Many of them are practicing occultism in the church. They do all these for the love of money, power, for fame and they have compromised their faith. They are acting films on the pulpit, forging miracles and faking testimonies and unfortunately, people are falling victims.”
“They have their support from their relatives; they connive with these people to hear what they shouldn’t hear. They give different contracts forgetting that we have also seen successful witches and wizards in Nigeria. They talk about Jonathan’s success, claiming they are responsible for it. These people may know your problems, but they don’t have the solutions, because they are not from God.
“They use and take advantage of your problems to siphon you and that is the most painful aspect. But for all the true servants of God who are genuinely called by God, I pray that God would keep them and give them the power to establish more churches, because we don’t have enough churches yet. We are over 150 million people. So, we need more churches to cater for the souls that are perishing,” the pastor said.

Pastor steps on members in the name of deliverance [PHOTO]

By Chidinma Eze

There is a new viral picture of Pastor Lesego Daniel of the Rabboni Centre Ministries, South Africa where he was seen stepping on his obedient members during a deliverance service held recently.
Recall that earlier this year, the controversial Pastor made headlines when he asked his church members to eat grass. Justifying the act, he said that eating grass will draw them closer to God.
The South African Pastor appears unperturbed over social media comments as he went further to express his determination to subject his congregants to more of such acts, just like he has displayed in this latest photo tagged, ‘’foot stepping’’deliverance.

Bishop Oyedepo named the world’s richest pastor

By Chidinma Eze on October 8, 2014

Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith World Outreach Ministry, has been named the world’s richest pastor with a net worth of $150 Million.
According to US website, richestlifestyle.com, Bishop Oyedepo is “a prosperous pastor, who owns private jets and homes in the US and the UK.”
In the list also are 4 other Nigerian Pastors, bringing the number to 5 pastors from Nigeria included in the publication.
Below is the list of the top ten richest pastors in descending order:
10. Joseph Prince – Net worth: $5 Million (Singapore)
8. Chris Okotie – Net worth: $10 Million (Nigeria)
8. Matthew Ashimolowo – Net worth: $10 Million (Nigeria)
7. T.B. Joshua – Net worth: $15 Million (Nigeria)
6. T. D. Jakes – Net worth: $18 Million (United States)
5. Billy Graham – Net worth: $25 Million (United States)
4. Creflo Dollar – Net worth: $27 Million (United States)
3. Benny Hinn – Net worth: $42 Million (United States)
2. Chris Oyakhilome – Net worth: $50 Million (Nigeria)
1. David Oyedepo – Net worth: $150 Million (Nigeria).

I wish to die in 20 years – Pastor Adeboye

By Wale Odunsi on September 30, 2014@dailypostngr

Pastor E A Adeboye

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, said he does not wish to live longer than 92 years.
The 72 year old revered cleric said this on Sunday, while delivering the sermon at the 60th birthday of the founder and president of Living Faith Church worldwide, a.k.a Winners Chapel, Bishop Oyedepo.
In his speech, Adeboye noted that every birthday was a reminder that days of every human being were numbered.
Speaking further, he recalled that: “When I marked 70 and people prayed that I would be up to 80, I said amen. When they said I would be up 90, I said well, amen. But when they said 100, I didn’t say amen.
“I didn’t because I don’t know what offence I would have committed for God to keep me up to 100 in this sinful world when a crown of glory is awaiting me in heaven”.
The preacher, however, said he would not mind to live more than 20 years ahead.
“I wouldn’t mind to be 92 though, so that I will be alive to preach when Bishop Oyedepo is 80,” he said.
“But to live up to 100, I don’t know about that”.

Synagogue tragedy: T.B Joshua gets arrest warning

By Ameh Comrade Godwin on October 29, 2014@dailypostngr

Popular prophet and founder of Synagogue Church of All Nation, SCOAN, TB Joshua has been warned to get ready for arrest should he failed to give a detailed account of the deaths of 116 people at his church recently.
One of the coroners, Oyetade Komolafe turned down submissions from Joshua’s lawyers that the Prophet, as he’s fondly called should not be summoned because he did not directly witness the September 12 tragedy.
A total of 84 South Africans were among the dead when a guest house for foreigners at Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) collapsed in Lagos.

Synagogue submits building collapse victims’ names to coroner

October 30, 2014 by Ramon Oladimeji

Synagogue Church
| credits: File copy

The coroner probing the September 12 Synagogue building collapse, Magistrate O.A. Komolafe, said on Wednesday that he had received the list of the names of the people lodging in the church guest house prior to the collapse.

The coroner had demanded for the list from the Synagogue Church of All Nations, following a request by the Lagos State Chief Forensic Pathologist, Prof. John Obafunwa.

Obafunwa, leading a team of forensic pathologists conducting autopsy on the bodies of the building collapse victims, had said the list of the lodgers would be needed to identify the bodies.

No fewer than 116 persons lost their lives in the Synagogue tragedy while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

At the Wednesday proceeding, Obafunwa gave the assurance that his team would reveal the identities of the dead persons upon the conclusion of their work.

The pathologist, who said his team was able to identify 100 per cent and 98 per cent of the victims of the Associated Airlines and Dana Airlines plane crashes respectively, assured that the Synagogue’s case would not be different.

Obafunwa gave this assurance while answering questions under cross-examination by lawyer to the church, Mr. Olalekan Ojo.

He said, “We know what we had to do and how we had to do it. The same thing happened in the Dana crash in which we identified 98 per cent of the victims. The same thing happened in the Associated Airlines crash in which we identified 100 per cent of the victims.”

In his testimony, the pathologist told the coroner that his final report would both reveal the identities of the victims and the cause of their deaths and the possible cause of the building collapse.

“The final report will contain the various causes of death, which will answer so many questions as to what collapsed the building. It will tell us who died in the accident, by way of disaster victim identification,” Obafunwa said.

The pathologist further testified that he was in the position to tell whether the victims were exposed to smoke or corrosive odours from an explosive, if it was true that the building collapsed as a result of detonation.

He said, “As a forensic pathologist, I can identify the effect of corrosive burns, even when I was not there, even with just the photographs (taken during autopsy) and the detailed information from the autopsy report.

“Something related to that is the presence or absence of smoke after 10 days of embalmment. You don’t look for smoke outside the body; the evidence of smoke inhalation is in the lungs and we took samples of the lungs and examined them under the microscope.”

Asked if he could identify some injuries peculiar to explosion even after the bodies had undergone embalmment, Obafunwa said, “If a building collapsed as a result of explosion, there could be a variety of injuries. Some people might die from the crush effect, some people might die as a result of fire; the fire could occur before or even after, you will still see burns.

“The question is whether the person died in the fire or before the fire. The person could die as a result of severe blood loss because of injury from shrapnel. There are multiple ways in which death could arise when you have an explosion, you could have complete disintegration; I am just giving a general answer.”

Meanwhile, a Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to put a halt to further proceedings of the coroner court.

Ogungbeje, in his suit filed on Tuesday, is arguing that the setting up of the coroner court was in violation of the fundamental principles of natural justice as preserved by Section 36 of the Constitution.

The lawyer contended that the outcome of the coroner’s inquest was already a predetermined one.

He argued that the coroner was set up by the Lagos State Government after its agencies had already made public statements indicting the SCOAN and its founder, Pastor T.B. Joshua.

Ogungbeje said, “The Lagos State Building Control Agency even went ahead to seal up the main building of the church. The General Manager of the agency even said in the papers and I quote him as follows, ‘We have investigated and found that they had no approval for the additional structures. Even the main church which they have added about three floors on was sealed two days ago.’”

Lagos Lawyer Files Suit to Stop Inquest into Collapsed Synagogue Church Building

28.10.2014 at 7:19 pm By NAN

A Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, on Tuesday filed a suit in a Federal High Court, Lagos, seeking an order to stop further inquest into the collapsed Synagogue Church building.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on September 12th, a six-storey building within the premises of Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed in Lagos.

The incident led to the death of over 100 people, most of whom were foreigners.

The Lagos State Government on September 26th, constituted a Coroner’s Court to unravel the circumstances leading to the incident.

A magistrate, Oyetade Komolafe, was appointed coroner.

The coroner has already visited the scene of the incident and summoned the General Overseer of the Church, Prophet T.B Joshua, to appear before him on November 5th.

Meanwhile, Ogungbeje, in the suit, is seeking an order stopping further inquest into the matter.

The defendants in the suit are Lagos State Government, Attorney- General of Lagos State, Ade Ipaye, and Komolafe.

The lawyer said the composition of the Coroner’s Court was a negation of the principle of natural justice and Section 36 of the Constitution, and as such, unconstitutional and void.

He averred that the inquest was constituted by the Lagos State Government after the agencies of the state government had indicted the church of erecting additional structures on an already existing building without approval.

Ogungbeje argued that if allowed to continue, the proceedings of the Coroner would occasion a miscarriage of justice, as the same Coroner would base its decision on the testimonies of the same agencies of Lagos State.

The lawyer alleged that the Lagos State Emergency Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Building Control Agency and the Lagos State Fire Service, had made prejudicial reports that the building collapsed due to additional structures.

He averred that the contention of the church that the building collapsed as a result of an aircraft hovering round the building moments before it collapsed was ignored.

Ogungbeje averred that the Lagos State Building Control Agency went ahead to seal up the main building of the church.

The lawyer is therefore, seeking an order nullifying the composition of the Coroner and the proceedings so far, as well as an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants jointly and severally from further proceedings.

He wants every sitting, investigation, fact finding or any action in any manner whatsoever on any facts connected to the case, to be put on hold until the suit was determined.

The suit which was filed on Tuesday has yet to be assigned.

No One Can Stop Us From Meeting Our Prophet,” TB Joshuasupporters declare

By africannewsman.com

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TB Joshua

In the face of raging controversy and disaffection towards The Synagogue, Church of all Nations and its founder, Prophet TB Joshua, following the collapse of one of the church’s guesthouses, the Man of God still commands respect all over the world, especially in South Africa.
The tragedy which occurred on September 12 claimed the lives of some church members, mostly South Africans, and others sustained various degrees of injuries.
The incident which was captured on CCTV camera showed a strange aircraft which flew multiple times and even lower over the guesthouse before it tragically crumbled.
Prophet TB Joshua has however linked the collapse of the building to an attack purported to have been carried out by a terrorist group and has since sympathized with the injured and the families of those who lost their lives. He has promised to visit South Africa once in every month to minister the gospel of Christ to people in Southern Africa in memory the martyrs of faith.
The announcement by the founder and general overseer of the Nigerian mega-church to visit South Africa has been met with mixed reaction among South Africans especially on the social media, Facebook.
While many have accused TB Joshua for being responsible for the tragedy, others have questioned his authenticity as a prophet of God. Latest to join the group of those opposed to the SA visit by the Prophet is the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL). The group has vowed to block TB Joshua from setting his feet into the rainbow nation. “He cannot come here without people knowing what actually caused the collapse of the building. We need concrete answers,” the group warned.
However, many supporters of the Man of God in the Southern African nation including pastors and church leaders have rubbished claims that the charismatic SCOAN leader was responsible the sudden collapse. “I would like to advise the Man of God to apply for visa to Botswana so we could join him there. If authorities there also deny him visa, we shall go to SCOAN Nigeria to meet him there, no one will stop us. We love TB Joshua.
In the past, some of us travelled as far as Rome to see the Pope and to Zimbabwe to see herbalists. Our people were killed in Marikana two years ago but no one has since been held accountable. So why demand immediate answers to a disaster that happened in Nigeria few days ago. Leave our Prophet of God alone!” a SCOAN supporter exclaimed on Facebook.
Also, in separate occasions on Facebook, Pastors Lesego Daniel and Mukhuba , the founders of Rabboni Centre Ministries and Unity Fellowship Church in South Africa respectively, called on Christians all over the world to commit in prayer Prophet TB Joshua and families of all those who died in the September 12 building collapse so that their faith would not fail. “We are continuing to pray together for our fellow part in the Body of Christ.
We are praying for the man of God, Prophet TB Joshua, in the country of Nigeria, for God to give him more courage and strength. We send our condolences to those who lost their loved ones. When we face trouble we do not scatter but we gather, for we are one; let’s pray for the man of God.
We also thank God for those that are still going to receive from the SCOAN,” Pastor Lesego prayed.
Meanwhile, there are reports of some South Africans, who in spite of all the name calling, accusations and attacks on the charismatic Nigerian pastor, are planning to visit the SCOAN in Lagos for their healing, deliverance and breakthrough which they believe would be made possible by the power of Jesus Christ.
Source: africannewsman.com

AFRICAN CONFERENCE FOR EVANGELISTS KICKS OFF IN PORTHACOURT

By The Nigerian Voice

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Africa Conference For Evangelists began at Grace Covenant Church, 88 East
West Road, Port Harcourt, Nigeria today. Bishop Michael O. Amamieye,
conference host, welcome all the guest speakers from around the country
and the United States of America as well as all the delegates.
In his welcome note, Bishop Amamieye reassured the delegate evangelists of the
significance of the ministry gift of the evangelist. After his welcome
note, Rick Willison of T.E.A.M Jesus, California demonstrated the power of
God as he broke a baseball bat to show how Jesus broke the arm of the
enemy to free mankind. He went on to demonstrate the power of God that
conquers all excuses we may have for not proclaiming the gospel. He showed
us what God did to sin by destroying its power over our lives.
The opening message was brought by Rev. Samuel Igbiaye who spoke
powerfully on the Spirit of Grace. He charged every delegate to keep an
open heart to receive not just the information we will receive during the
conference but to hunger for more of God. We need to know that there is
more to experience and demonstration of God.
He sensitized the delegate to hunger for the power of God to do the work better.
Bishop Amamieye closed the day session with a fresh word from the text of
the conference in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 where he showed the evangelists the
power of focus on the assignment. It was a charge given to Timothy which
we must give heed to. One reason why we have evangelists doing other
things than what they have been called to do is because when focus is
lost, men are turned into fables.
Men who were designed to be messengers with evidence become tales that is told. Lest we lose our relevance in the ministry, we must watch with diligence to fulfill the ministry. Bishop
Amamieye went on to show to the delegates the honorable estate of the
ministry of the evangelist from Genesis one as it is the same work God has
been doing since the beginning.
As at today, we have all our guest speakers on ground.
Archbishop Idem Ikon, Bishop Winston Iwo, Bishop Ayibakuro Suobite, Rev. Keith Cook, Rev.
Donna Smiley Young, Rev. Samuel Igbiaye, Rev. Dr. Richard Bolaji, Pastor
Shadrach LotouHou, Zach Blickens, Rick Willison, Matt Kearney and others
are already in town. The conference continues tomorrow Wednesday from 8:00
a.m to 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m.

I Have Willed All My Property To GodBishop Umunna

By GODDAY ODIDI

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Bishop (Prof.) Leonard Nwaoma Umunna is the Senior Pastor and the Presiding Bishop of Bible Life Church Cathedral (BLCC) International. He is a man of God of many parts. In this interview with some Nigerian journalists at his palatial office, he explained why he looked younger than his actual age of 60 years and other issues affecting the country.
Excerpts:
Sir today marked your 60 years on earth but you look younger than your age, what is the secret behind it?
God made me a promise when I was below 40 years of age. Between 30 and 40 years of age, I was feeling unhappy due to my physical condition then. At the age of 23, God has already made me a church overseer which I did not want to be. As you all know by the time I worked with the former defunct Nigeria National Supply Company (NNSC) and rose to a manger level from just a copy typist then and I was not happy with my life until God told me that when I get to 50years, he would show me new things of life. I started observing some things especially my food intakes and living style.
Since then I now discovered that I looked younger than my age.Today,if people say I am 50 or 60, I do say I am really at this age, sometimes I do challenge my people to run but If you run ahead of me and I know what to do. God told me in 2010 in London that I have entered into the evening of my life. That is, my life in the evening will be brighter than my morning and afternoon put together now. Everything has become better and brighter. I have not being hospitalized and no doctor or nurse has treated me one day. They say life begins at 40 but to me I am better now than when I was younger in age.
Sir you said that you wore a pair of suit and shoe and fasted for five years, what gave you that strength to do that?
I do not want anybody to go to hell. If I have the opportunity to carry everybody burden, I will do. I decided to do what Jesus Christ did in trekking from Jerusalem to Capernaum. Some have preached on the buses condemning people and yet these people refused to accept Christ as their personal saviour. I have travelled to interior villages, towns, hamlets cities and states like Warri, Kano, and Aba, Owerri, Onya, Benin and others. Nobody told me that one day I would be a millionaire in preaching the gospel of Christ. My uncle once told me I should postpone pleasure in my life to face Christ and I did.
I slept on unkempt places just to preach the gospel of Christ to people. I was still a manger in my former company sleeping in five star hotels with two cars and drivers and with polished apartment but God told me to work for him. I travelled a lot in my working days then. I have confronted lions and tigers, so winning souls have always be my desire in life. I saw the need to dedicate my salary for the kingdom of God as Joseph did. All these happened in 1975 and I was careful on what I eat. I eat roasted plantain and groundnut to survive my ministerial calling.

I left all the pleasure of life to pursue God's kingdom. In 1975 when I got married to my wife and the same thing happened where we managed our lives too. In 1986, July 26th, I resigned from my paid job to concentrate on God's work. My late wife interpreted my calling perfectly to ensure that we progress in the gospel. I can't blow my own trumpet but we have donated houses, cars and lands to churches and individuals. I have willed all my property to the church not my children.Can you tell us the content of your new album?
The album title is 'God is Kind'. God has been faithful to me. A young boy born vomiting multi-colour substance and half-dead and still came alive and without attending a primary school but now a renowned Christian Professor. I am the happiest man on this earth. Nobody gave me chance to prosper in life but today I have become number one in Nigeria. I have received several awards from Nigeria and abroad. I have earned good name in my ministerial calling over the years.
In 2001, I acted a drama, some of my church members then rubbished my name, within two years, some came back to plead for forgiveness and you can see them in my birthday celebration today. I have no grudges against anyone. I have encountered several trails but God saw me through. I am over-blessed by God. I have shook hands with powerful occultist member but I did not died rather I was favoured with a plot of land.
What is your stake on the last Ekiti elections?
It is a lesson for political propagandists, manipulators and dribblers of politics in Nigeria. That shows God can take you unaware in life. People or demon can take you unaware if you are not prepared in life. We are not sophisticated enough because we claimed to be giant of Africa that shows to be ahead of other African countries.
The people felt in Ekiti State that Dr.Fayemi never cared about their stomach infrastructure than running elitist government.Ayo Fayose knew what the people of Ekiti wanted and he fought for it. Nigeria's politics is gradually growing from incumbent factor to real politics of life.
What do you think that the Federal government can do to curtain Boko Haram insurgence in the Northern East and other parts of Nigeria now?
There should be referendum to know whether to divide Nigeria or not. Boko Haram is political which everybody knows in Nigeria but we must resist these ungodly killings in Nigeria. The ongoing National conference should address this pertinent issue of security now. We can't afford to be losing innocent Nigerians to greedy leaders in this country.
Do you support churches paying taxes in Nigeria?
Taxing churches are good but it all depends on churches that run businesses outside God's works. Bible Life Church uses it tithes to help the poor in the society. I pay my tax as an entrepreneur not as a church overseer. Though, we have many fake tax offices in Nigeria. Tax matters are infringed.

Thursday 23 October 2014

Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World

This is a list of the richest pastors worldwide.
1. Bishop T. D Jakes: Bishop Jakes lives in a $1,700,000 mansion, he has been called America’s best preacher and has been featured on the cover of TIME magazine. He is a writer, preacher and movie producer. Thomas Dexter “T. D.” Jakes, Sr. is the bishop/chief pastor of The Potter’s House, a non-denominational American mega church, with 30,000 members, located in Dallas, Texas. T.D Jakes wears custom made suits and sports a diamond ring the size of a coin. This man of God has been endowed with a $150 million net worth.
Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World

2. Bishop David Oyedepo: Bishop David Oyedepo is a Nigerian Preacher, Christian Author, Founder and Presiding Bishop of Winners Chapel known as Living Faith Church World Wide. Has been hailed as the wealthiest preacher in Nigeria with a total net worth of $150 million and properties like 4 private jets and homes in the United States and England. After the foundation of the Living Faith Outreach Ministry in 1981, it has evolved to be one of the largest congregations in Africa and has a flourishing mission in Nairobi.
Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World

3. E A Adeboye: This messenger of God was listed in an African magazine, NEWSWEEK, as the most powerful man in Africa and one of the top 50 global power elites in 2008/2009, among others such as President Barack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy. Pastor Adeboye heads the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), something he has done for the last 28years.Amongst his posessions are private jets.
Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World

4. Benny Hinn: Israeli televangelist,Toufik Benedictus “Benny” Hinn has an estimated net worth of $42 million. He is best known for his regular “Miracle Crusades” – revival meeting/faith healing summits that are usually held in large stadiums in major cities, which are later broadcast worldwide on his television program, “This Is Your Day”. Hinn was born on December 3, 1952.
Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World

5. Chris Oyakhilome: This is the man behind Believers’ Loveworld Ministries, a.k.a Christ Embassy.His church has an estimated net worth of $30 million – $50 million last year, the charismatic preacher was at the center of a $35 million money laundering case in which he was accused of siphoning funds from his church to foreign banks.
Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World

6. Creflo Dollar: American Bible teacher, pastor, and the founder of World Changers Church International, Creflo Dollar, has an estimated net worth of $27 million. As his name suggests, this preacher’s “manna” comes in form of the green buck.
Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World

7. Kenneth Copeland: He runs Kenneth Copeland Ministries, was one of several televangelists whose finances were investigated from 2007 to 2011 by Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa.
According to an article by the Associated Press that ran in 2008, “His ministry’s 1,500-acre campus, behind an iron gate a half-hour drive from Fort Worth includes a church, a private airstrip, a hangar for the ministry’s $17.5 million jet and other aircraft, and a $6 million church owned lakefront mansion.
The article later added that while Copeland has not released up-to-date salary statements, “the church disclosed in a property-tax exemption application that his wages were $364,577 in 1995; Copeland’s wife, Gloria, earned $292,593. It’s not clear whether those figures include other earnings, such as special offerings for guest preaching or book royalties.”
Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World

8. Billy Graham: American evangelical Christian evangelist, William Franklin “Billy” Graham, Jr., has a net worth of $25 million. The Southern Baptist evangelist rose to celebrity status as his sermons started getting broadcast on radio and television. Graham was born on a dairy farm near Charlotte, North Carolina in 1918, he has conducted many evangelistic crusades since 1948. He is now a world renowned televangelist raking in millions of dollars.
Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World

9. Matthew Ashimolowo: Ashimolowo, the owner of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) gets an annual income of $200,000. Having his humble beginnings as a priest in Foursquare Gospel Church, a Nigerian church that sent Ashimolowo to open a satellite branch in London. Pastor Matthew had other ideas and decided to set up his own church instead. Today, his Kingsway International Christian Center is reportedly the largest Pentecostal church in the whole of the United Kingdom.
Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World

10. Temitope Joshua: Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) has an estimated net worth: $10 million – $15 million Nigeria’s most controversial clergyman is also one of its richest and most philanthropic. T.B Joshua heads the Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN), a congregation he founded in 1987, which accommodates over 15,000 worshippers on Sundays.
Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World

Controversial South African pastor gives Church members petrol to drink, calls It ‘juice’

By Omotola Filani on September 25, 2014@dailypostngr

Controversial South African founder of Rabboni Centre Ministries, Pastor Daniel Lesogo, is in the news again.
He not only makes church members eat grass, he also makes them drink petrol.
In a video released on Youtube hours ago, he was seen praying that a bottle containing petrol should be turned to pineapple juice, after which he offered it to his church members to drink.
After drinking it, some members of the church could be seen saying it tastes sweet and nice, while some others collapsed after consuming the liquid.
The video starts with a cautionary note, “warning, the level of the anointing is not the same, if you cannot turn water into wine, please do not try this”.
See photos below…

LASUTH completes collection of DNA samples of Synagogue victims

LAGOS State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), on Wednesday, said it had concluded the collection of DNA samples for identification of 115 victims of a recent collapsed building in Lagos.
Professor Olawale Oke, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, made this known at a news conference in Lagos.

Oke said the hospital sent the specimens to South Africa and was awaiting the results of the analyses.
A guest house of the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed on September 12, resulting in the deaths, with most of the victims being South Africans.
“I can tell you that the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital has collected the samples of family members of victims of the collapsed building for DNA testing at a Pathology and Forensic Medicine.
“This is to ensure that all victims of the collapsed building are properly identified and delivered to their various families for burial rites.The DNA is done free.
“The specimens of their Nigerian counterparts have been flown to South Africa. The post-mortem for all of them have been conducted, the dental recognition process done, X-rays have been done where necessary. We are just waiting for the results to be out,” he said.

Majority of Ghanaian pastors are fake - Ken Agyepong

MP for Assin North, Kennedy Agyepong has taken a swipe at "fake pastors" accusing them of being responsible for fifty percent of deaths that occur in the country. Although he failed to prove his assertion, he stated emphatically that majority of pastors operating in the country are fake.

The MP told Citi FM that such pastors are manipulating the mindset of Ghanaians and called on stakeholders to urgently address the problem.

Mr. Agyepong said pastors have been extorting money from the poor to enrich themselves rather than concentrating on the people’s salvation and described their activities as a phenomenon that retards the country’s development.

The MP, who is reported to have made the comment about a week ago on a Tema-based radio station, incurred the wrath of some pastors.

But speaking to Citi News, he maintained his comments and vowed to speak about the menace until Ghanaians come to the realization that they are being taken for a ride. He dared any pastor who thinks he is not speaking the truth to bring it on. The MP cum businessman is asking Government to tax churches since most of them were making money through nefarious means.

“I still stand by my point and I am not scared of anybody. If the Minister of Finance is going to introduce taxes for churches, the NDC government should be bold because I support them for introducing such taxes. I think it was unnecessary for the Information Ministry to come out with a rejoinder against that move” he said.

According to him, even ordinary salaried workers pay taxes so why not pastors.

“Do you know how many pastors are making so much money and do not pay anything under pretext of the church. Go and look at their houses and find out whether you have a home like that to live in. Let us speak the truth once and for all. They use churches to do all kinds of things for themselves whiles the few people in the net are paying taxes to support this country".

"So I said I support what the Finance Minister had said so the Minister of Information should not even have come out with that rejoinder. About fifty percent of the cause of death in this country is caused by pastors who do not speak the truth”.

Mr. Agyapong listed several examples of activities of so-called pastors that have brought the country’s name into disrepute on the international scene and worsened the plight of already suffering Ghanaians. He cited a visit he made to New York where a Ghanaian Church was televised with people in chains because they were believed to be mentally sick.

According to him, her diabetic mother’s condition was worsened after a pastor gave her a toffee to cure the disease. Mr. Agyapong said he also had a personal experience where a Prophetess who told him he was going to die before Easter in 2010.

“I was told the same Prophetess prophesied that Quashigah was going to die and he died so I am the next person and she told me point blank. So she asked me to come to Koforidua but I told her not to call me again and hanged up on her. My friend’s sister was sick but the woman was so superstitious and did not tell anybody and went to a pastor’s house. She was there fore three months and the day she started coughing blood, the Pastor called her relatives to come and pick her to the Hospital. What is this? And this same people have doctors surrounding them and when they are sick, they are taken care of. I have done my statistics and I know that especially these young pastors prey on the conscience of the ignorant and we need to speak about it. Politicians need to be bold” he said.

Although Mr. Kennedy Agyepong admits that some pastors contribute positively to the social and spiritual needs of the people, he believes they are doing more harm than good. He cited instances where he stopped pastors from preaching on his radio station because they were peddling falsehood.

“In this country, majority of the pastors are fake. And about fifty percent of deaths are caused by these pastors who don't speak the truth. You listen to radio and the kind of preaching they do is nothing better. They should be preaching like Mensah Otabil and the others who will never tell you that your mother is a witch. Productivity in this country is so low and I can attribute it to some fake pastors because as early as 6:00am, they ask people to come and pray till 2:00pm, so who should work and come back to church to give the offerings”? He asked.

The MP, who studied theology himself, bemoaned how the speaking of tongues was being abused by such fake pastors.

Source: Citi FM

Wickedness, bane of Nigeria, says Oritsejafor

By Emma Arubi, Warri

THE President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has identified wickedness “as the bane of our society,” stressing that unless the people turn away from their wickedness, the country will continue to experience hardships.
Oritsejafor stated this on Wednesday in Warri at the thanksgiving service to mark Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s 60th birthday celebration held at the First Baptist Church, Mission Road, Warri, Delta State.
In his sermon at the service, Oritsejafor said a lot of Nigerians have abandoned God and have given their lives to the devil for political gains.
“There is so much wickedness in our land. Nigeria is the only country where white is turned to black. There are a lot of people who are languishing in prisons for crimes they did not commit. Wickedness is the enemy of this country. But I want to let you know that it will come to an end one day. Wickedness will catch up with you one day, said Oritsejafor.
He said: “I feel pain in my heart when I see educated people say they want to go back to the ways of their forefathers. They want to go back to the days of darkness. Darkness holds people in darkness. The black race is the most intelligent humans on earth but we have failed to maximise our potentials.
“Elections are here again and people are going back to serve idols just because of election. Some are burying human heads in their backyards, while some are burying cows and other things in their backyards. These things cannot take you anywhere. Please come back to God and you will be saved.”
The CAN president urged all those that God has blessed to use their wealth to enrich the lives of those who do not have, adding that it was only when people give that they will receive more blessings from God.

Taxing church is double burden – Adeniran, Deeper Life pastor

By Our Reporter on October 23, 2014 · South-West Magazine

Pastor John Abiola Adeniran is the Overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Church in Osun State. He had lived in Chibok, Borno State, where more than 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents. He spoke with BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE recently. Excerpts:
How did you become a pastor?
I was a teacher. As I was teaching, I was also involved in the work of the Lord, in the work of the Scriptures Union. We used to have Scriptures Union camp and go to places, schools and also to villages to minister. It was as a result of that I got involved in the work of the Lord.
It was 1985 that I got into full-time ministry. Before then I had been in teaching, but when the Lord ministered to me that I should go into full-time, I had to go.
How did you get into Deeper Life Bible Church?
I had some interactions with Pastor W.F Kumuyi as far back as 1970. By the grace of God, I gained some things that helped me spiritually in attending some of the programmes they held between 1976 and 1980. I used to attend the church retreats and I was really blessed, especially concerning the messages of holiness. God helped me to have interactions with him. It was from there I got more interested in the ministry of W.F Kumuyi.
Having worked as a pastor in Chibok, Borno State, how would your experience?
Chibok is in the southern part of Borno. Around 2002-2004, I had the opportunity to minister in the area. It is a predominantly Christian community, and very unfortunate the place was neglected for years. They are peace-loving people. They really opened their hearts to the gospel.
Many of those who are pastors and missionaries in Borno State are from that area. These are people who desire that their communities be changed and people’s lives transformed. It is unfortunate that these Chibok shoolgirls were just kidnapped. We believe
damage
Some foreigners predicted that Nigeria will disintegrate in 2015, what is your take on this?
I want to believe that Nigeria is not going to disintegrate because God’s plan for Nigeria must be fulfilled, God’s will for this country is to continue to be one and for us to fulfill the purpose of being able to help the future generations, they are going to benefit from the unity of the country. I don’t really buy the view of those foreigners that Nigeria is going to disintegrate.
What is your assessment of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration?
I thank God for the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan. He is doing his best to keep Nigeria one, in spite of the security challenges. He is really bringing the various tribes together; he is not discriminating; he is really doing his best to see that there is progress in the nation.
What is your take on the National Conference recommendation for churches to pay tax?
The issue concerning payment of tax by churches is a terrible one. That might not be helpful to us in this nation, because the yardstick used for the secular ones cannot be used for the Church. Many people come to the church they pay their tithes for the progress of the work of God. For them to be asked to pay tax may not be helpful.
The more churches we have in Nigeria the more the issue of corruption and other vices, what is really happening?
We believe that the fact that we are seeing corruption, immorality, wickedness here and there does not mean we do not have people who are living uprightly. There are people who are living righteously, but we need to continue preaching the word, to see that more churches are planted and more lives are transformed.
On daily basis, many souls are being born into the world and we need to see larger percentage of these people becoming righteous and live holy lives. That is why we must emphasize the preaching of the word of God and establish more churches to transform our nation.

Catholic church happy over youth village

By DOM. EKPUNOBI, Onitsha on October 15, 2014 · Oriental News

…As Obiano, Obi, Etiaba, Ngige come together

When five years ago the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace Most Rev. Valerian Okeke conceived the Holy Family Youth Village, Amansea in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, he had in mind to develop a conducive place where future leaders could be groomed.Indeed, he had planned to see a unique project that would provide an enabling environment that would bring up students whose character would be moulded with the aim of raising for Nigeria good leaders that the nation desires.It was, therefore, a happy moment for the archbishop one year after the project was completed; and the unique village for students operating to the glory of God. Recently, drums were rolled out for the one-year anniversary as well as the five years His Grace Okeke had conceived the project, and past and present governors of Anambra State: Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, Chief Peter Obi, former acting governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba and the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano, converged on the village to appreciate God for the successful completion of the multi-million naira project.
The village, they said, was one God used the archbishop and several wealthy people within and outside Anambra State to build for the benefit of students being groomed to be good leaders of tomorrow.
The village has four gigantic structures housing about 1,200 students and members of staff with all the facilities that make life comfortable.
The church service to mark the grand occasion was conducted by His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze, who came down from Rome.
Cardinal Arinze was assisted by the visioner and initiator of the project, Archbishop Okeke, while more than 12 other bishops were in attendance.
In his homily at the church service, Cardinal Arinze emphasized on the need for students as future leaders to not only concentrate on academic work, but also to train themselves in morals and character.
He said that a “well educated person must be noble in character and one whose yes must of necessity be yes, one who should be trusted by those who know him or her, one who should be reliable.”
He noted that the society has great need for leaders who have viable altitude, who will demonstrate love and compassion for their colleagues, their employers and employees, their village and the nation at large, as well as those who will cooperate with God to contribute in building a better country.
He noted that it was for the training of such noble characters that the Holy Family Youth Village was established with Archbishop Okeke as the initiator just as he expressed delight that the hostels in the youth village were filled to capacity.
In this speech after the church service, Archbishop Okeke traced the history of the village, which success he attributed to God and those who keyed into the vision.
Many who were at the anniversary noted that it was indeed by divine wisdom Archbishop Okeke realized that “something essential was lacking in the education system, that the system required not just academic impartation, but moral and spiritual up-bringing for the youths who are leaders of tomorrow.
“It is altruism that one cannot offer what one does not have and if the youths are not provided with essential moral and spiritual qualities they cannot offer these to Nigerians in service and conduct.”
They argued that from all indications the Holy Family Youth Village has the potentials to assist students acquire Christian ideals and esteem values such as honesty, reliability and constancy of character.
They observed Okeke was convinced that with enabling environment for training of the youths, “they would mature into all round educated people with intellectual formations, human formation, moral formation and spiritual formation, some of which are provided by the environment and not only academics.”
Indeed, the Holy Family Village has some features that make it unique which include steady water supply, all round supply of electricity, effective security system, subsidized feeding, free bus ride to and from the university for lecturers, self-contained rooms with customized bed, reading tables, wardrobe and book shelves.
There are also facilities for game and other activities and they include soccer pitch, tennis courts, basket ball courts, 24 hours supply of cold and hot water all through the week just as there are computer lab, a supermarket while arrangement is on top gear to provide a digital library for the students.
With all these facilities in place, the archbishop is hopeful that the plans of the Catholic Church to maintain a unique environment in the village would be realised.
He said: “The Holy Family Youth Village is by no means our sole or last involvement in contributing to the education of our children.
“Our returned schools, with the help of the state government are fast returning to their old glories; first, in terms of physical structure, and surely with more efficient management, in terms of academic standard and discipline.”
Governor Obiano apparently impressed with what he saw promised to assist in every way possible to ensure that the ideals of the youth village was maintained by providing whatever that was necessary.
Also former Governor Chris Ngige donated an ambulance to assist in facilitating healthcare delivery at the place.
The ceremony offered a meeting and unification point for the political leaders in Anambra State as Governor Obiano and Senator Ngige met and embraced each other for the first time since the governorship election early this year.

Don’t be greedy, be your brother’s keeper, Oritsejafor tells rich Nigerians

By EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, PAUL OSUYI, KOFA KINGS, WARRI on October 23, 2014 · National

President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has criticised wealthy Nigerians, who are so greedy that they are reluctant to help the less privileged fellow Nigerians.
Preaching a sermon at Delta State at the First Baptist Church, Warri, to mark the 60th birthday celebration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Oritsejafor who commended the governor’s people-friendly policies, urged wealthy Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper.
“Sadly, a lot of people are suffering, while a few are enjoying. It is the wish of God that we assist each other, so that there will be no grumbling,” he said.
Quoting from the scriptures, Oritsefajor, who is the founder of World of Life Bible Church Worldwide, harped on the need to assist the poor and God for favours.
“We should thank God for what we expect Him to do for us and what he has done for us. By so doing, we expect Him to do more for us and also conquer our known and unknown enemies,” said the CAN leader.
Oritsejafor congratulated Uduaghan on his attainment of the golden age of 60 years and prayed for long life and prosperity for him:
“What excites me about Governor Uduaghan is his desire to serve God and do good. The governor has, no doubt, performed creditably to the admiration of the people of the state and Nigeria.”
Earlier, Uduaghan attributed his achievements to God, assuring that he would do more for the people with God on his side.
He recalled with nostalgia, how he was stopped by the law court in 2010, adding that God lifted him up and made him retain his governorship position.

What God Says About Gay Marriage and Why Pastors Cannot Relent

By Tricia Erickson , CP Op-Ed Contributor

October 21, 2014|9:58 am

Tricia Erickson is a Damage Control and Crisis Management Expert and a political consultant.

While Texas Pastors are ordered to turn their sermons over to this out-of-control openly gay Houston mayor, has anyone considered that the verdict has already been laid down by the Living God?
Romans

(24) Therefore God gave them over inn the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another

(25) They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped created things rather than the Creator

(26) Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones

(27) In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Could this be referring to our nation's astronomical STD rates?

1st Corinthians 6:9 states that homosexual offenders will not inherit the kingdom of God
How can we expect the Lord's protection over our nation when Leviticus 24 states: Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled.
We think that we're invincible, but are we? The truth is we don't know if we have even 5 more minutes to live. I've never heard of anyone on their death bed saying, I wish that I could have done more for the killing preborn babies, or, I wish I could have worked harder to destroy God's definition of marriage and the protection of our most vulnerable children through His designation of what constitutes a holy union.
I humbly submit to the American People that the consequences of what is perceived to be politically correct stances adopted by our nation's politicians, leaders, and the anti-God left, is now manifesting not only to their own eternal demise, but also the demise of our great nation.
Mark 8:6: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Either we are a nation under God, or we are not. The miniscule 2 percent fraction of gay Americans holding the rest of America hostage over their anti-Christ agenda has to stop!
When will the 98 percent of American's grow the courage to stop this anti-Christ-bully-march over our NATION UNDER GOD?

City Threatens to Arrest Pastors Who Refuse to Perform Same Sex Weddings

By Todd Starnes , CP Op-Ed Contributor

Two Christian ministers who own an Idaho wedding chapel were told they had to either perform same-sex weddings or face jail time and up to a $1,000 fine, according to a lawsuit filed Friday in federal court.
Alliance Defending Freedom is representing Donald and Evelyn Knapp, ordained ministers who own the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel in Coeur d'Alene.
"Right now they are at risk of being prosecuted," their ADF attorney, Jeremy Tedesco, told me. "The threat of enforcement is more than just credible."
According to the lawsuit, the wedding chapel is registered with the state as a "religious corporation" limited to performing "one-man-one-woman marriages as defined by the Holy Bible."
But the chapel is also registered as a for-profit business – not as a church or place of worship – and city officials said that means the owners must comply with a local nondiscrimination ordinance.
That ordinance, passed last year, prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, and it applies to housing, employment and public accommodation.
City Attorney Warren Wilson told The Spokesman-Review in May that the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel likely would be required to follow the ordinance.
"I would think that the Hitching Post would probably be considered a place of public accommodation that would be subject to the ordinance," he said.
He also told television station KXLY that any wedding chapel that turns away a gay couple would in theory be violating the law, "and you're looking at a potential misdemeanor citation."
Wilson confirmed to Knapp my worst fear -- that even ordained ministers would be required to perform same-sex weddings.
"Wilson also responded that Mr. Knapp was not exempt from the ordinance because the Hitching Post was a business and not a church," the lawsuit states.
And if he refused to perform the ceremonies, Wilson reportedly told the minister that he could be fined up to $1,000 and sentenced to up to 180 days in jail.
Now all of that was a moot point because, until last week, gay marriage was not legal in Idaho.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an order on May 13 allowing same-sex marriages to commence in Idaho on Oct. 15. Two days later, the folks at the Hitching Post received a telephone call.
A man had called to inquire about a same-sex wedding ceremony. The Hitching Post declined, putting it in violation of the law.
City officials did not respond to my requests for an interview, nor did they respond to requests from local news outlets.
"The government should not force ordained ministers to act contrary to their faith under threat of jail time and criminal fines," Tedesco said.
"The city is on seriously flawed legal ground, and our lawsuit intends to ensure that this couple's freedom to adhere to their own faith as pastors is protected, just as the First Amendment intended."
Alliance Defending Freedom also filed a temporary restraining order to stop the city from enforcing the ordinance.
"The Knapps are in fear that if they exercise their First Amendment rights they will be cited, prosecuted and sent to jail," Tedesco told me.
It's hard to believe this could happen in the United States. But as the lawsuit states, the Knapps are in a "constant state of fear that they may have to go to jail, pay substantial fines, or both, resulting in them losing the business that God has called them to operate and which they have faithfully operated for 25 years."
The lawsuit came the same week that the city of Houston issued subpoenas demanding that five Christian pastors turn over sermons dealing with homosexuality and gender identity.
What in heaven's name is happening to our country, folks? I was under the assumption that churches and pastors would not be impacted by same-sex marriage.
"The other side insisted this would never happen – that pastors would not have to perform same-sex marriages," Tedesco told me. "The reality is – it's already happening."
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, told me it's "open season on Americans who refuse to bow to the government's redefinition of marriage."
"Americans are witnesses to the reality that redefining marriage is less about the marriage altar and more about fundamentally altering the freedoms of the other 98 percent of Americans," Perkins said.
Why should evangelical Christian ministers be forced to perform and celebrate any marriage that conflicts with their beliefs?
"This is the brave new world of government-sanctioned same-sex unions – where Americans are forced to celebrate these unions regardless of their religious beliefs," Perkins told me.
As I write in my new book, "God Less America," we are living in a day when those who support traditional marriage are coming under fierce attack.
The incidents in Houston and now in Coeur d'Alene are the just the latest examples of a disturbing trend in the culture war – direct attacks on clergy.
"Government officials are making clear they will use their government power to punish those who oppose the advances of homosexual activists," Perkins said.
I'm afraid Mr. Perkins is absolutely right.
No one should be discriminated against but have you noticed that any time a city passes a "nondiscrimination" ordinance, it's the Christians who wind up being discriminated against?