The SCOAN not Merely a Growing Tourist Destination

THE SCOAN

It is true that in recent years Prophet TB Joshua, the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, (SCOAN), Lagos Nigeria has attracted to his ministry Christian pilgrimage and tourist from around the world. The prophet has been unintentionally working on this, a global image he now has, within the last three decades. Nevertheless, he has been working with the less to do, the high and the low in the society, running international crusades, conducting weekly prophecy, healing, deliverance, etc. Hence under 30 years of his ministry, TB Joshua has become a major world-class Prophet of all time.

The main question and our concern are knowing which ministry best represents "Jesus Christ's Expectation of Faith". We all need to know what Jesus expects to find at His return. The apostles Jesus trained, left to continue His works after His ascension became our reference point, especially after they were baptized by the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ represented and performed three functions in His earthly ministry. He was the Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:14-22), the Priest (Psalm 110:1-4), and the King (Psalm 2). He raised disciples who would become "Fishers of men", people who could draw others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is not just the weekly crowds and the economic benefits to the local environment that are most paramount.

Our proper personal response in our relationship with Christ Jesus is what Paul calls "the obedience of faith" (Romans 1:5, 16:26), or which SCOAN always encourages to new converts as "making the Word a standard for life". The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ, the oral tradition of the early apostles, and the written Word, now become our essence. The community is interested in the crowds but within the teaching of SCOAN is the full Gospel of Jesus Christ in His ramifications.

The result of the work of Prophet TB Joshua and SCOAN, aired by Emmanuel TV, will become more visible when the disciples raised by this prophet move out to every corner of the globe preaching Christ and living in His obedience and holiness. In the world today we have academic preaching, Schools of Divinity where deep knowledge of Jesus Christ's history and work are learned and taught. But (Acts 4:13) now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Being with Jesus in His teaching, living, preaching, and love is what we seem to be seeing in SCOAN. Hence those coming to see prophet TB Joshua of SCOAN are encouraged to come expecting to meet Jesus Who will use His prophets to meet their needs. Of course, SCOAN is a growing Christian tourist destination and shall remain so many years ahead.

 

Prof. R. A. Ipinyomi, University of Ilorin, Nigeria

 

Exclusive: Inside the Synagogue, Church of All Nations — one of Nigeria’s biggest tourist attractions

Nigeria is home to a couple of megachurches that have evolved into self-contained cities, providing services like electricity, water, accommodation and good roads to members and visitors. 

One of such religious organisations is The Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) which is regarded as the most visited destination by religious tourists in West Africa.

The Maravi Post got a chance to visit this global pentecostal denomination and found a bakery, automobile service area, 5-star restaurants, lodges and even a makeshift zoo.

“Good morning” is the first thing I hear as soon as I get to the Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos, Nigeria. It is founded by Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua. 

I was there on a special invitation from the church to appreciate what God is doing to his children across the global through the healing power of Prophet TB Joshua

 

 It is ranked 11th out of the 97 tourist attractions in Lagosstate on the popular travel platform.

I hear this greeting again as I step into the waiting area where I spot a television airing a service on Emmanuel TV, a Christian television station founded by the general overseer commonly known as Prophet T.B. Joshua. It has over 1,000,000 YouTube subscribers. 

Hearing this for the second time piqued my curiosity since it was clearly afternoon, no longer morning, by the time I get there. I turned to ask a member of the church who says that this phrase is used regardless of the time of the day. “We greet according to the promises of God,” he explains. 

This ‘prophetic greeting’ is based on Psalm 30:5 — “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (KJV)

A day inside this popular megachurch 

I’m still mulling over this interesting greeting when I’m led inside by someone in the media department. Outside the church looks pretty amazing but inside leaves me awestruck. SCOAN is built with impressive stones, wood and beautiful stained glass windows. It also has a beautifully lit fountain behind the altar and portrayals of the last supper.

SCOAN is so huge, it looks like something from a game or movie set. Reportedly, a Sunday service attracts a minimum of 150,000 attendees every week and the building (empty at the time except for a few staff) looks capable of sitting this many people.

 

I’m taken upstairs to the media room then downstairs to the church-owned printing press. SCOAN publishes its pamphlets and books including the four written by T.B Joshua. It also has a supermarket close by.

The second part of the tour begins when I’m taken outside to the other side of the road. This part is outside of the main church but it still belongs to SCOAN. Here, you have the bakery, medical section, a gym, 10 ambulances in the automobile service area, two kinds of accommodation — one for average guests while the high end, complete with an elevator, is reserved for important guests like celebrities, ministers and even presidents. 

This section also has an area for the children and a zoo with dogs and a couple of exotic birds. I’m told that the Man of God likes to spend time here. As I’m led out of the compound, I notice a couple of tents. My guide tells me that this is the overflow reserved for the thousands who are unable to sit in the main church.

 

According to the Nigerian Immigration Service, six out of every ten foreign travellers coming into Nigeria are bound for the SCOAN. Reportedly, the church attracts more weekly attendees than the combined number of visitors to Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. 

“About two million local and inbound tourists” visit The SCOAN annually, The Guardian reported a few years ago. They all flock to the church to see the Man of God who has made a name for himself with his prophecies and by ‘healing’ everything from Cancer to AIDS.

He appears rather humble, almost shy as he takes my hand and introduces himself. We exchange a few words before I’m led away by the guide who proudly tells me about how down to earth his Man of God is. My tour comes to an end when I’m taken to one of the church’s 5-star restaurants. Here, I notice once again that all the TVs are only showing services from the Emmanual network. I wait here until my ride comes.

 

The Prophet TB Joshua effect

The SCOAN founder came out of nowhere and slowly turned his small ministry into a mega-church with its own self-contained city run on funds from his members and people who believe in him. 

SCOAN has had a strong effect on the surrounding area. All the parts leading to the church have people selling life-sized portraits of Prophet T.B. Joshua. Hotels, restaurants and other establishments around the area also enjoy business from the thousands that flock the church every other week. 

This explains why many stakeholders in the tourism sector fought against Prophet T.B Joshua’s proposed relocation to Isreal in 2017 arguing that Nigeria would lose billions of naira.

Mrs Ime Udo, the Vice President of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NANTA) told pressmen that “Religious practices both under the auspices of Christianity, Islam and traditional practices have in no small way contributed to the development of tourism in the world. 

“The local community; hotel operators, food vendors and others around SCOAN must have benefitted from tourists. SCOAN has, no doubt, contributed immensely to the tourism profile of Nigeria with several heads of government from various African countries that had visited there to seek spiritual restoration and advise from Pastor TB Joshua.”

Commenting on the relocation rumors, a hotel operator named Anthonia Chuks, told the press that it would have a negative effect on the hospitality business in that area and the state.

“Ninety–five per cent of guests that lodge in hotels in the community are international and local visitors outside Lagos and they are SCOAN members. We have over 130 rooms and are always fully booked every weekend. We usually enjoy huge patronage from Fridays to Sundays weekly; and they are mostly SCOAN members from near and far,” she explained. The preacher has remained in the country.

 

Over the years, the Man of God has become one of the wealthiest preachers in Africa with an estimated net worth of $10 million — $15 million according to Forbes.

Apart from his ministry, he is well known for giving over $20 million to several causes in education, healthcare and rehabilitation programs for former Niger Delta militants. Since he has no known business, it is safe to assume that this comes from his ministry, which is tax-exempt in Nigeria because of its charity status.

To critics who say these big churches should be taxed, pastors argue that the charity work done should exempt them.

Prophet TB Joshua of SCOAN is Evangelising the World

The man of God in the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, Lagos Nigeria needs no much introduction. He is a leading teacher of people, a prophet that is changing our perception the right way on prayers and evangelism. Every week thousands of people across the globe come to hear him and to be healed or to be delivered. They go back to their different countries and communities telling how good Nigeria is and how desirable it is to visit the Prophet in the SCOAN. 

In the world today, over 50% of the world population has not been reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in some places in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. They are pursuing different kinds of religions. China, India, and all Arabs are amongst the major countries where few or none have heard about Christ.

The recent effort of SCOAN and Emmanuel TV to hold crusades in many countries has the potential of reaching the non-evangelised world populations. The problem getting to these groups is made more complex by their respective domestic governments, many of whom placed an embargo on the Word (Bible) circulation. This is where SCOAN's evangelical approach is very crucial and significant.

Prophet TB Joshua's continuous teaching on "I believe help my unbelief" is also appropriate at this time. Many are wondering why their ministries are not as effective in so many aspects like healing, miracles, or the others like seen always in SCOAN. 

His teaching has helped a number of us on how to pray, and what to pray for. We recall that in seeking the Lord’s help, a man came to Jesus once, fell to his knees weeping, and said, “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). The man’s request, startling in its paradoxical phrasing, is quite thought-provoking. How can a man say he believes and at the same time asks for help in overcoming unbelief? Jesus had just returned from the mount of transfiguration when He came upon a large crowd surrounding His disciples. An argument was taking place, and people were stirred up. Jesus asked what was going on, and a man from the crowd explained that the disciples had been trying to cast a demon out of his son but had failed in their attempt. 

Many individuals and congregations have been trying on their own but have no success story big as we have in SCOAN. Remember too that our prayer is that Prophet TB Joshua will still have more anointing to do more exploit for Jesus, despite the mighty work we are already witnessing. Yes, we pray for more anointing on him and every member of his team. Nevertheless, Emmanuel TV and partners must daily work for improvement, especially to circumvent systemic government efforts from blocking the Gospel of Jesus Christ getting to every corner of the globe. 

Prof. R. A. Ipinyomi, University of Ilorin Nigeria.