TB at 53: celebrating a spiritual icon

By IFEOMA IKEM

ONE of the most visited Christian ministries in Africa, nay the world, in modern times which has continued to attract scintillating reviews from the international media is The Synagogue, Church of All Nations, SCOAN. Based in Lagos Nigeria, thousands of visitors from across the world have continued to throng the ministry in search of spiritual succor and seeking answers to other needs that encompass the physical, economic and social.

While members of the ministry recognize and readily identify with various days in the calender, particularly ministry event days, one day that holds special meaning for them is June 12, which falls on a Sunday this year. The significance of the day has nothing to do with the poignant memories of June 12, 1993, when an election most Nigerians adjudged the freest and fairest ever held in the country was annulled. What many would term the watershed of our democratic history. Rather it is the birthday anniversary of their man of God, Prophet T.B. Joshua who turns 53 years of age on the day.

A man after God’s heart, who has put smiles on so many faces, the cleric deserves accolades and to be celebrated from different perspectives, especially at a time like now when nations are suffering economic meltdown and various other malaise.

He is known to have achieved in several aspects of human endeavours. Through evangelising, crusades and other humanitarian efforts,

The Synagogue, Church of All Nations has maintained a rare reputation for helping individuals, institutions and nations overcome their spiritual, political as well as socio-economic challenges.

Uncountable number of people both Nigerians and foreigners have continued to benefit from his ministry’s milk of human kindness.

Through the ministry’s evangelic arms, particularly Emmanuel TV, millions of lives, nations and destinies have been changed across the world.

For instance, within and outside Nigeria’s shores, TB Joshua’s humanitarian work includes a rehabilitation programme for militants from the volatile Niger Delta region where he was said to have sunk millions of dollars, setting up an NGO in Ghana called Passion for the Needy, establishing a field hospital called ‘Clinique Emmanuel’ in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake there, amongst similar such work elsewhere.

In recognition of these works, the man of God has received both national and international recognitions for his exemplary service to mankind.

As a result of the recognition of his towering humanitarian gestures, he was awarded a National Honour by the Nigerian Government in 2008 as well as received a letter of appreciation from the United Nations.

He was further honoured as an Ambassador of Peace by the Arewa Youth Forum, a predominantly Muslim organisation, in appreciation of his humanitarian endeavours.

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The man of God in propagating the gospel has held foreign crusades in many parts of the world from South Africa to Zimbabwe in Africa to Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia and Colombia, Mexico and many others.

His ‘Miracle Crusade’ in Cali, Colombia in July 2014 was allegedly attended by over 100,000 people and was held in the Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero, while that of Estadio Azteca in Mexico was said to have been attended by over 200,000 people over two days in May 2015.

His work concerning using ‘Anointing Water’ as cure for the rampaging deadly disease, Ebola, also made the headlines. He had sent 4,000 bottles of the water alongside a cash gift of $50,000 to the Ebola-stricken nation of Sierra Leone. This came after Lagos State Health officials visited Joshua, requesting him to publicly discourage Ebola victims from visiting his church for prayers. However, a Sierra Leonean politician later claimed the water helped stop the spread of the disease and cured several Ebola victims. Also of mention are healings of demon-possessed and others suffering other debilitating diseases and illnesses

Following deep research, an American-based research organisation www.Ranker.com – ranked him amongst the most famous prophets in the history of mankind.

According to the organisation, the ranking was based on votes from over 250 million people worldwide to in answer to popularly asked questions such as, “Who are the most famous prophets ever?” and how are they ranked.

The publication parades a total of 71 prophets, with T.B. Joshua being ranked the number 13 in the world and 1st in Africa, followed by late Joseph Ayo Babalola who occupies number 32 in the world and 2nd in Africa. Only these two prophets are named from Africa. The list includes great biblical figures like Abraham, Moses, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Elisha, Micah and Paul the Apostle, amongst others.

“From reputable, prominent, and well known prophets to the lesser known prophets of today, these are some of the best professionals in the prophet field,” the publication stated on its website. It further declared thus about Prophet T.B. Joshua, “Temitope Balogun Joshua, commonly referred to as T.B. Joshua, is a Nigerian preacher…He has been awarded various accolades, notably receiving the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the Nigerian government in 2008 and being voted the Yoruba man of the decade by Pan-Yoruba media outlet, Irohin Odua. He was recognized as one of Africa’s 50 most influential people by Pan-African magazines, The Africa Report and New African Magazine and also listed among world’s most famous prophets.”

As to the massive work being done in the Lord\s vineyard, the man of God’s defence is simply that true love always searches for those to help whenever and wherever it is in a position to do so. His humility and self-effacing lifestyle amongst other virtues, are among the reasons his large followership and admirers just can’t keep loving and following after him.