The Living Faith Church, a.k.a Winners Chapel, has debunked online media reports, in which its general overseer, Bishop David Oyedepo, allegedly said he would open“hell gate” on opponents of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Oyedepo was said to have made the statement during Jonathan’s visit to the church headquarters in Ota, Ogun state, on 25 January.
Pastor Ubong Ntia, the church’s resident pastor, in a statement refuted the comment credited to Oyedepo.
Ntia’s statement reads:
“President Jonathan along with his entourage, like the rest of the congregation, was upstanding, and prayers were made for him and all those in authority, and the nation.”
“The President and his entourage arrived at Canaan Land (Faith Tabernacle) for the third service at about 9:30am. He and his team were ushered in and asked to occupy the front seats alongside the resident pastor and other senior pastors. Thereafter, in honour of the President, Bishop Oyedepo invited Jonathan to ‘bring a word of greeting’ to the congregation.
“President Jonathan spent approximately six minutes in his address, clearly stating that he would be careful not to sound political so that his visit and intentions would not be construed as electioneering campaign.
“In his brief speech, he adulated the ministry and person of bishop for the mighty works of faith, prayer for Nigeria and educational milestones the Living Faith Church has engendered for national development. He then expressed his belief that the elections of 2015 would go peacefully, while also asking for the people of God to pray more.”
The statement said that Jonathan’s visit was not to campaign for re-election but that he visited the church “in his capacity as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Our church of over 33 years has been a sanctuary for all people with no prejudice to colour, ethnicity and political persuasion. We stand for righteousness and cherish our integrity.”
Read our earlier story below:
Contrary to reports on many online news platforms and the social media on Sunday, Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel never threatened to condemn those opposed to President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election. At the service of his church in Ota, where the President was present, Oyedepo was alleged to have said: “We shall open the gates of hell for all those opposed to you”. The alleged threat went viral, attracting furious and vile criticism to the wealthy preacher. But a video posted on youtube, shows clearly that the quote attributed to him were invented and the criticisms undeserved. Oyedepo and his church simply prayed for Jonathan, asking God to give him wisdom required to function well in office and praying for peace in the country. There was no hint of re-election in all he said and no reference to hell or its gates. Transcript: Before we get into the message this morning, I will like us to do what the Bible enjoins to do in 1 Timothy Chapter 2 vs 1. ‘I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be me made for all men’. And on the priority list is ‘For kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceble life in all godliness and honesty’. I only had an idea that we’d be privileged to have the President today yesterday. It wasn’t there on Friday night when we were here. After that, I will do what the priests are asked to do in Numbers 6:23. It says: ‘Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them proclaiming blessings. And as a priest of God, I proclaim blessing on the President and the blessing shall answer in the name of Jesus Christ. Numbers 6 verses 24-26. ‘The Lord make his face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift his countenance upon thee and give thee peace’. When the blessing come upon thee and sticks, something happens. You know the Old Testament generation knew the value of blessings. They will even cry to get it. Every blessing proclaimed upon you today must answer. I will like us to all rise and lift up to God. Every blessing proclaimed upon you today must answer. I like us all to rise and lift our President up , intercede for him. Everything you desire God to bring about in his life and upon the nation begin to pray about right now. We make intercessions for kings and those in authority that they will live a peaceble and quiet life in all godliness and honesty. Lord, we pray for our president for unusual release of grace to man the demands of his office. Oh my God, release your unusual grace in increasing dimensions to man the demands of his office. Lord, lift up your countenance upon him. Lord, grant him the desires of his heart. Under him, grant Nigeria peace. Under him, grant Nigeria progress. Under him, grant Nigeria advancement. Lord, we bless you today. Thank you Father. In Jesus precious name we have prayed. This entire church proclaims blessing on the President. Nigeria is blessed today. Bless him with divine wisdom to man the demands of his office. Bless him with peace to see the miraculous in his life. Bless him with grace that will advance his cause in our nation. Every time we pray here, God hears. He says: ‘Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I shall be with them’ and when we agree on anything, it is done for us. Therefore, in the name of Jesus, our President is blessed. He is going out, he is blessed. He is coming out, he is blessed. The will of God is blessed in his life. Thank you Jesus. Give the Lord a big hand. You may be seated.
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