Temitope Balogun Joshua (born June 12, 1963), commonly referred to as T. B. Joshua , is a Nigerian pastor, televangelist and philanthropist. He is the leader and founder of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a Christian organization running the television station Emmanuel from Lagos.
Joshua is known for his popularity across Africa and his online presence with 2,000,000 fans on Facebook and over 400,000 YouTube subscribers. Described as "Oprah evangelism" and "The most popular YouTube priest", Emmanuel TV is Africa's largest Christian television network.
He has been awarded numerous awards, primarily receiving the Federal Republic Order Officer (OFR) by the Nigerian government in 2008 and was elected a Yoruba man decade by the Pan-Yoruba Irohin-Odua media outlet. He has been named as one of the 50 most influential people in Africa by Pan African magazine The African Report and New African Magazine.
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Video T. B. Joshua
Biography
According to Joshua's official biography, an unusual circumstance surrounds his birth. He said that he spent 15 months in his mother's womb and narrowly avoided death after a quarry explosion near his home sent a stone through his roof just seven days after his birth. It is also suspected that the birth of Joshua was 'prophesied' 100 years earlier.
Joshua, later known as Balogun Francis , attended St. Anglican Primary School. Stephen at Arigidi Akoko, Nigeria between 1971 and 1977, but failed to complete a year of high school education. At school, he is known as a "little minister" because of his love of the Bible. She works in various ordinary jobs after her schooling ends, including carrying chicken droppings on poultry farms. He organized Bible lessons for local children and attended night school during this period. Joshua tried to join the Nigerian military but was thwarted due to damage to the train that left him stranded on his way to the military academy.
Maps T. B. Joshua
Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN)
Joshua wrote that in heaven's vision he had received the divine anointing and covenant from God to begin his ministry. After this, Joshua founded the Synagogue service organization, Church of All Nations (SCOAN). According to the organization, more than 15,000 members attend weekly Sunday services; visitors from outside Nigeria are accommodated in the accommodation block built in the church.
The Guardian reported that SCOAN attracted more weekly attendees than the combined number of visitors to Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. SCOAN's popular services have also generated a great boost for local businesses and hoteliers.
Despite Joshua's popularity, the church has only a branch in Ghana, Joshua states that "it's not yet time" for him to have branches around the world as "it would be too much for my character".
Religious tour
SCOAN has been described as "the largest tourist attraction in Nigeria" and "the destination most visited by religious tourists in West Africa," with thousands of foreigners flocking to attend church services weekly. Figures released by the Nigerian Immigration Service show that six out of every ten foreign tourists coming to Nigeria are tied to SCOAN, a fact that was discussed in the Zimbabwean parliament when discussing the economic potential of religious tourism.
The daily newspaper reports that "about two million local tourists and visiting tourists" visit SCOAN every year. The popularity of the church has led to an increase in flight routes to Lagos from several African countries by 2013.
Potential relocation to Israel
Joshua's contribution to Nigerian religious tourism was highlighted when the cleric signaled the possibility of transferring his ministry to Israel during Sunday services. The announcement proved controversial with some prominent Nigerians urging him to remain in the country, citing a slowdown in Nigeria's economy likely to experience through its potential relocation.
Heal healing and miracles
SCOAN claims the routine events of divine miracles. Several hundred Nigerians and international visitors come to SCOAN every week to sign up for a line of prayer where visitors are prayed by Joshua. SCOAN has published many videos claiming to document the healing of incurable disabilities and diseases such as HIV/AIDS, blindness and open wounds.
Spiritual healing at SCOAN has been the subject of several media reports, including mention in Time magazine, Associated Press interviews and articles by Foreign Policy detailing the tendency of Nigerians to seek 'spiritual' help because there are not enough medical facilities.
A major debate took place in Nigeria when the father of the school girl kidnapped Ese Oruru expressed his intention to bring his daughter to T.B. Joshua for 'prayer' after he was released. Similarly, a leaked report stating the intentions of Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke to visit Joshua for 'spiritual support' in his battle against breast cancer, caused controversy.
Water of Anointing
Many also claim to be healed through the 'Water of anointing' which Joshua prayed for and given to those who can not physically attend his church in Lagos. Others claim they are protected from deadly incidents because they have water with them.
In 2013, four people were killed in a panic at the Ghana branch in Ghana when an un-advertised service where it was distributed drew a large crowd well beyond the capacity of the church, bringing Ghana's capital Accra almost stuck.
Joshua also made headlines when he claimed the Water Purifier could cure Ebola's deadly disease. He then sent 4,000 bottles of water along with a $ 50,000 cash prize to an Ebola-ravaged country in Sierra Leone. This comes after the Lagos State Health officials visited Joshua, asking him to openly prevent the Ebola victims from visiting his church to pray. A Sierra Leone politician later claimed water helped stop the spread of the disease and healed some of the victims of Ebola.
Suspected exorcism
SCOAN is also known for "liberation" which is claimed from those who allegedly possessed by an evil spirit during his services.
Strange events have been reported during this liberation prayer, including the case of a South African girl suspected of 'blood crying' and a Liberian man who started behaving like a dog. A young man allegedly sent from the 'homosexual demons' at The SCOAN also attracted widespread media attention, as did the 'transformation' of a transvestite Paraguay.
After the 'liberation', those involved often admit the atrocities that 'evil spirits' allegedly encourage them to engage, such as prostitution, armed robbery, internet fraud and human trafficking.
Celebrity 'Deliverances'
Wife of Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson is freed from evil spirits suspected of being behind the inability of her husband to get a contract. Ghana's leading human rights lawyer Kwabla Senanu claims that he is freed from spiritual problems. Similarly, Ghanaian musician Denise Williams said she was released from the demon who encouraged her to become a drug addict and commit suicide.
Nigerian Nollywood Veteran Camilla Mberekpe is also said to have been sent on The SCOAN. Popular actor Nollywood Jim Iyke also said he received the release at The SCOAN, the video of the event went on to become viral.
A video of the Kenyan Olympic athlete Mercy Cherono who received 'liberation' through Joshua's prayers, drew widespread attention in Kenya. She then testified in her husband's company how 'evil spirits' have negatively affected her marriage and her young career.
Overseas visit
Although Joshua rarely goes abroad, he has traveled to Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Paraguay to hold a 'crusade'. He also visited Israel to receive humanitarian awards from Zaka and visit Bible sites.
Colombia
The 'Miracle Crusade' in Cali, Colombia in July 2014 was allegedly attended by 100,000 people and was held at Estadio Olámpico Pascual Guerrero. He also held a meeting with the Cali police force, donating $ 100,000 to support families killed or injured in carrying out their duties.
Mexico
He traveled to the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico which was allegedly attended by 200,000 people for two days in May 2015.
Peru
Continuing his journey across Latin America, Joshua's two-day visit to Estadio Monumental "U" in Lima, Peru, attracted nearly 100,000 in September 2016, making headlines in Peru's local media.
Paraguay
In August 2017, Joshua held a Crusade in Paraguay at Estadio Defensores del Chaco. His visit caused a media storm when Paraguay's parliament agreed that the clerics were given the 'National Order of Merit', the highest honor states usually reserved only for their own citizens. The testimony of those who accused them of being healed through Joshua's prayers at the crusade made headlines in the local media.
Humanitarian work
SCOAN is involved in extensive humanitarian projects around the world, a Forbes blogger estimates that Joshua has spent $ 20 million on charity. Some media reports indicate that the church has donated large sums of money to help orphans, widows, the elderly, the disabled and the poor. There are also rehabilitation programs for militants from the volatile Niger Delta region, armed robbers and sex workers who come to church for 'liberation'. Joshua is suspected of joining his team on several humanitarian journeys they undertake for disadvantaged communities
Joshua's followers celebrated his birthday on June 12 by helping disadvantaged individuals in their community.
Community support
Joshua has come to help some communities in trouble, especially providing two transformers to the local community after they are burned down. He donated the N26m to recover electricity and ended more than two years of power cuts on four councils in Akoko area, Ondo State. The cleric also made several major donations to the police in Nigeria, Ghana and Colombia.
Scholarship
SCOAN has a 'scholarship program' that caters to students' academic needs in thousands, from basic education to higher education. In 2012, Joshua sponsored a Nigerian student finishing a PhD at Oxford University, with Nigerian media reporting that he received £ 100,000 from the church. He also gave a scholarship to a young Motswana to study at Harvard Law School in America.
Disaster help
After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Joshua sent a team of medical and humanitarian workers to the affected area, setting up a field hospital called 'Clinique Emmanuel'.
He also sent support to countries like the Philippines, India and Ghana amidst various natural disasters. The 'Emmanuel TV Team' also helped victims of the earthquake that hit the Ecuadorians in April 2016, providing humanitarian assistance worth more than $ 500,000.
Education
Joshua funded the construction and run of a school in Lahore, Pakistan called 'Emmanuel School'. He also rebuilt schools in rural areas devastated by the 2016 Ecuador earthquake, traveling to Ecuador for school opening in June 2017.
Support for migrants and deportees
Some groups of Nigerians who tried to travel illegally to Europe via Libya have been supported at The SCOAN after their deportation from the North African country with only clothes on their backs. The stories about the cruel conditions they face and the help of Joshua next make headlines in some local newspapers.
Sports
In 2009, Joshua started the football club, My People FC, as part of an effort to help the youth. Two team members play for Golden Eaglets Nigeria in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2009. Sani Emmanuel, who has apparently lived at The SCOAN for several years, is Nigeria's top scorer and MVP tournament. Emmanuel and his colleague Ogenyi Onazi signed a professional contract with SS Lazio, Onazi, key player for Nigeria Senior Team, Super Eagles.
WBO International Light Middleweight champion King Davidson Emenogu said that Joshua has financially supported him throughout his career and is said to prophesy that he will become the world boxing champion.
Reconciliation attempts
Joshua was involved in the family meeting of the late Liberian president, Samuel Doe, with former warlord Prince Yormie Johnson who was responsible for Doe's death. During this meeting, the family openly forgave Johnson who said it through Joshua's prayer that he stopped drinking alcohol and converted to Christianity.
The clergy also played an important role in the reconciliation of damaged homes and restoring families who were torn by false accusations.
Humanitarian award
In recognition of his humanitarian activities, he was awarded the National Award by the Nigerian government in 2008 and received a letter of appreciation from the United Nations. He is more respected as a Peace Ambassador by the Artura Youth Forum, a predominantly Muslim organization, and is recognized with 'award of excellence' by ZAKA, Israel's primary rescue and restoration service.
Claimed prophecy
SCOAN claims that Joshua has succeeded in predicting events in the lives of individuals who attend church services as well as events around the world, including the claimed forecasts of Michael Jackson's death, and the results of the two AFCON Cup finals, won by Zambia and Nigeria respectively, respectively. He has been chosen by the public among the most famous prophets.
His prediction of the coming death of an African president is widely reported in the African press. Joshua's followers believed that the prophecy was linked to former Malawi president Bingu wa Mutharika who died in 2012, aged 78.
False rumors spreading using Joshua's name are known to have caused widespread panic in the affected community, sporting events, music concerts and getting people to stop using social networks.
When Hamza Al-Mustapha, Chief Security Officer of former Nigerian President Sani Abacha, was released after eleven years in prison, his first port of call was to Joshua's church in recognition of the 'prediction' that the clergy said when Abacha was still in power.
Critics argue that Joshua's predictions are too vague.
Alleged prediction MH370
SCOAN released a video claiming that TB Joshua predicted the Malaysia Airlines MH370 event. The forecast gets a lot of attention in social media and the accompanying YouTube video collects over 1 million views.
Terrorist Attack
Some of the terrorist attacks carried out by ISIS, Al-Qaeda affiliates and al-Shabaab militants allegedly predicted by Joshua, including the November 2015 attacks in Paris, the Garissa University attacks in Kenya, the siege of the Ouagadougou hotel in Burkina Faso and the Brussels bombing of 2016. He also claims that he predicted the Boston bombing attacks on America.
Ghana's terror attack
Joshua's alleged prophecy in April 2016 that the impending terror attack will befall Ghana making national headlines in the West African country and leading the national police to issue a statement calling on the general public to be calm and alert. 600 foreigners were reportedly canceling their visit to Ghana after the statement. A few days later, a captured Mali terrorist confessed that his group had planned to target Ghana.
US election prophecies
Joshua wrongly predicted that Hillary Clinton would win the US election in 2016. After this prophecy failed to materialize, with Donald Trump winning the election, Joshua stated that he was referring to Clinton's victory in popular vote and every misinterpretation was due to a lack of "spiritual understanding".
2017 Zimbabwean Coup
A video of Joshua predicting the "military" of an undisclosed South African country that embarrasses, kills or captures "a President or Vice President... or a First Lady of the State," appeared in social media after the statement, made and recorded on the month August 2014, interpreted as a forecast of a 2017 coup against long-term Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe.
Famous visitors
SCOAN's important visitors have included the late Ghanaian President John Evans Atta Mills South Africa Winnie Mandela, leader of EFF Julius Malema, King Zulu, Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, former Malawi President Joyce Banda, Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangarai and late President Zambia Frederick Chiluba who once stated that he watches 'Emmanuel TV' every day.
Tanzanian President John Magufuli visited The SCOAN in 2011. The days for his inauguration in November 2015, Joshua visited Tanzania where he met Magufuli (who received him at the airport), President Jakaya Kikwete and opposition leader Edward Lowassa. His visit caused a media storm in Tanzania, although he did not openly appear at the inauguration.
Former President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan visited The SCOAN in September 2014 after the collapse of a tragic building of an inn inside a church building. After Jonathan admitted his defeat to Muhammadu Buhari in the historic elections in Nigeria 2015, Joshua controversially claimed he had warned him of the electoral defeat, a statement later reinforced by one of Jonathan's aides.
Influence in African Politics
An African BBC journalist once questioned whether Joshua was "the most powerful man in Africa" ​​for his alleged influence on the political sphere of Africa.
Ghana
A few days after the late John Atta Mills became President of Ghana in 2009, his first port of call was Joshua's church for a thanksgiving service in which he revealed that the cleric had accurately 'foretold' his rise to power and specific details relating to his narrow victory over Nana Akufo-Addo. Joshua was a regular visitor to Ghana during the early Mill presidency and allegedly organized prayer fighters to pray at Osu Castle.
Malawi
Joshua's widely published prophecy about the death of President Malawi Bingu Mutharika garnered intense media attention and later became the subject of an investigation by the Malawian government as his successor, Joyce Banda, was a worshiper of the clergy. Banda confessed that Joshua's prayers healed her husband after she suffered a stroke and regularly visited Joshua in Nigeria when she became Head of State.
Tanzania
Joshua played the role of a peacemaker after the Tanzanian election in 2015, visiting the country to meet and hold reconciliation talks with President John Magufuli - a member of his church - and opposition leader Edward Lowassa. Commentators acknowledged his visit significantly reduced tensions in the country after elections accused by opposition parties were full of irregularities.
Liberia
Joshua is a key influence in the decision of former warlord, Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, to support George Weah's candidacy for president in the 2017 Liberian election. The passage comes days after they were seen together in public at SCOAN, a visit that caused a media storm in Liberia. The main opponent of Weah and the current Vice President, Joseph Boakai, is also suspected of asking to visit Joshua as a substitute for the election.
Emmanuel TV
Emmanuel TV, SCOAN television station, broadcast 24/7. The Sunday Service is live. Joshua's programs are also aired weekly on a number of local television stations across Africa. It debuted on DStv and GOtv in November 2015, as well as StarTimes in February 2016. In his profile in Joshua, the BBC described it as "a well known Nigerian evangelist".
A Ghana psychiatrist in Britain was controversially fired from the NHS after recommending Emmanuel TV to a patient with a history of 'demonic persecution', although it was later cleared of any wrongdoing by the court.
Moto Emmanuel TV is 'Changing lives, changing the country, changing the world.' The station is also known as catch-phrase, 'Distance Is Not A Barrier', encouraging viewers to 'pray together' with T.B. Joshua with 'touch screen'. There are some claims of people who receive miraculous healing through these prayers, including popular actress Nollywood Tonto Dikeh who says that Joshua's prayers ended her smoking addiction for 14 years.
Joshua has earned a reputation for not focusing on the 'Gospel of Prosperity' and Emmanuel TV is known to be one of several Christian channels not involved in fundraising in the air.
YouTube channel
The Emmanuel TV YouTube channel is one of the most subscribed and most subscribed Christian YouTube channels worldwide and the most subscribed in Nigeria, has garnered over 700,000 subscribers and 300 million views since its inception. Google ranks one of YouTube's Emmanuel TV videos as the most viewed clip ever seen in Nigeria.
Criticism and controversy
Joshua has many critics and is known to be controversial.
Relationships with other pastors
Joshua has been publicly condemned by some of Nigeria's most prominent priests, his most outspoken critic is Reverend Kris Okotie who describes him as the 'son of the devil'. The Nigerian Christian Association and the Pentecostal Guild of Nigeria have admitted that Joshua is not a member of the organization and denounces him as a 'cheater'. Ennik Adeboye, David Oyedepo, Come Oritsejafor, Paul Adefarasin and Matthew Ashimolowo are among the pastors who openly denounced Joshua, as did American megachurch leader Ted Haggard.
Blacklist in Cameroon
He was 'blacklisted' by the Cameroonian government in 2010 and referred to as 'son of the devil'. Rumors about Joshua's visit to Zimbabwe in 2012 caused a fierce national debate, culminating with pastors and politicians who strongly refused.
Open with' wizard-doctor '
A famous 'doctor-wizard' in Ghana says he goes to the Vatican City to 'report' Joshua to Pope Francis for his "wrongful prophecies."
HIV Mortality In London
In 2011, several media houses in Britain reported at least three people in London with HIV died after they stopped using life-saving drugs at the suggestion of their pastor. The African HIV Health Health Network (AHPN) charity charity trusts believe that SCOAN "may" is one of those involved in such practices even though the three questions have no bearing that SCOAN can prove. The BBC quoted The SCOAN as saying "No, we do not ask people to stop taking their medication".
Private jet
On September 14, 2015, it was reported that Joshua "secretly bought a $ 60 million Private Jet G550." This rumor was dismissed as a fake by a media assistant Joshua.
Boko Haram Confession
A member of the Boko Haram Islam Sect who claimed he came to SCOAN in March 2014, allegedly with a plan to 'bomb' the church. According to him, it was Joshua's prayers that prevented the plan and then forced him to confess. The confession clip went on to become viral on YouTube and proved highly controversial. A group known as the Movement for Good Accountability and Governance has called for an investigation into the incident based on claims made.
The collapse of guesthouse
On September 12, 2014, a homestead collapsed in the SCOAN building in Lagos killing at least 115 people, 84 of whom were South Africans. The controversy continues to revolve around the circumstances that led to the collapse, with former Nigerian Flight Minister Femi Fani-Kayode accusing Nigerian intelligence agencies of 'blowing up' the building.
President Malawi responds to the 'death' prophecy
In March 2016, Malawi President, Peter Mutharika, attacked Joshua as a 'false prophet' for allegedly predicting his impending death. His comments were condemned by the Malawian Evangelical Association (EAM), largely because there was no record of recognized predictions.
Panama Papers
The Nigerian Premium Times newspaper stated that Joshua incorporated a company called Chillon Consultancy Limited in British Virgin Islands in June 2006, based on reports from leaked Panama Papers. Joshua immediately denied his involvement, stating on Facebook, "I am not a businessman and have no business whatsoever. What God has given me is more than enough."
Cleric Muslim Threat
A prominent Nigerian Muslim cleric, Sheikh Hussaini Yusuf Mabera, threatened to drag Joshua to court for "portraying Jesus Christ as Lord".
Personal life
Joshua is married to Evelyn Joshua. They have three children. His eldest daughter, Serah Joshua, is a graduate of the London School of Economics, Department of Law. and 'summoned to the bar' in Nigeria in December 2015. His second daughter, Promise Joshua, is studying Politics and International Relations at the London School of Economics.
Books
- Mirror ISBNÃ, 0-620-37453-5
- Your Between and Your Drugs ISBNÃ, 0-620-33247-6
- Everyday Time With God ISBNÃ, 0-620-37575-2
- The Future Degree ISBNÃ, 978-0-620-42843-9
References
External links
- The official SCOAN website
- Emmanuel TV's official website
- Official YouTube Channel TV
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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