James Sakara, a Zambian self-proclaimed prophet, has died after his failed attempt to recreate Jesus’ resurrection.
The 22-year-old pastor died after he asked his followers to bury him alive for three days, so that he could miraculously resurrect.
Sakara, who was a pastor at the Zion Church in the Zambian town of Chidiza, was said to have told his congregation that he could come back from the dead and resurrect on the third day like Jesus in the Bible.
He was also said to have been involved in traditional medicine.
According to reports, while preparing his congregant for his failed adventure, Sakara quoted Luke 22:19.
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’
The Zambian prophet, who reportedly misinterpreted the last part of the quoted scripture, said Jesus wanted his followers to remember him, not only by partaking of the holy sacrament but through resurrection miracles as well.
It was said that while most of his congregants were reluctant to help him to perform his outrageous resurrection miracle, three men stepped up to help the pastor.
They were said to have dug a shallow grave, tied up the pastor’s hands and buried him alive.
The three men and other congregants returned to the grave after three days to check on Sakara and welcome him back.
However, he was found dead.
Members of the church are reported to have performed a series of “spiritual exercises” to resurrect him.
After realising that he was dead, two of the three men who had assisted him bolted and have been decalred wanted by the police.
The third man handed himself to the authorities.
Sakara is survived by a young pregnant wife.