The Burial of TB Joshua Can't End His Legacy

 

Prophet TB Joshua (1963-2021)

Most of us watched the burial ceremonies of our beloved Prophet TB Joshua, the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, from the distance. Many can't even watch because of the emotional attachment and the sweet memories shared with this great man of God. Truly Prophet TB Joshua Lives on in our hearts and in different peoples and communities he was able to impact. He was able to put a significant stamp on the future of the Christian Faith in particular and faith in general.  He made a great contribution to future missionary generations. He made people feel that their lives mattered and that every life is significant with its mission. That he was buried away has not reduced the effects of his teachings and his works. Rather his life and time have become an index, a benchmark, a biblical reference point. Unfortunately, his critics have to sit up and reflect on their missions in life, otherwise, life will sweep them away and nobody will remember them.

A Bible verse we'd learned from Sunday School as a song is Romans 10 verse 9. Romans 10:9. It says that "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved". Prophet TB Joshua expanded on it to mean that, "There is power in your mouth, the belief in your heart, realized by faith...". He was able to accomplice many miracles holding to this biblical principle.

Prophet TB Joshua also introduced many powerful spirit-lifting songs. One of them is that "Sin Power Over Me is Broken". This has become a popular lyric and translated into many languages and dialects. It will live on forever as part of songs of encouragement and life assurance. Nobody can take this away from TB Joshua by their wired wishful conspiracy theory thinking. The prophet is leaving us with many writings, songs, teachings, and evangelical lifestyle that touches the sinners and common people on the streets. The institutions he built are rational, accessible and affordable to the entire human race.

We have been praying to God to give us the strength to accept this death as coming from Him because just as Jesus matters to the human race, entire Palestine and the Jews in it so has Prophet TB Joshua brought renewed light of Jesus Christ's teaching. In the coming days, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, the bigger legacy of TB JOSHUA will become much more widespread and real. His disciples will prove this through the promise of the Father when they are clothed with power from on high, (Luke 24:49).

TB JOSHUA LIVES ON AND THANK YOU JESUS

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

I love the ‘evil’ of Prophet T.B Joshua

As we bury T.B Joshua today, we must not bury some of the Christ-like virtues that made him outstanding.

I kept thinking throughout the night – was this how Jesus came, performed miracles, fed the poor, healed the sick and did other good works, but the people despised, hated and killed him? I am not equating any man to Jesus, but T.B Joshua demonstrated more Christ-like virtues than many “God’s Chief Registrars, Chiefs of Staff to Jesus, Assistant God, Deputy God” parading our pulpits today as “masters of the universe”.

They told us how ‘evil’ he was, but were silent on his matrimonial success. He had just one wife and they were married for 31 years… This is Christ-like.

They told us how ‘evil’ he was, but were silent when he fed the poor, built hospitals and schools, responded to humanitarian needs on our streets… This is Christ-like.

They told us how ‘evil’ he was, but kept mute on his humility to board the same coastal bus with his team to go for outreaches. This is Christ-like because even Jesus Christ boarded the same boat with his disciples.

They told us how ‘evil’ he was but kept silent when he brought peace to South Sudan. He was a peacemaker. “Blessed are the Peacemakers…”. This is Chris-like.

Not until his death did I know his wife and even children because he never projected his family. His life and preachings projected Christ more than anything else.

He was Christ-like more than many of his critics whose followers know the “Man of God” than they know the God of men. Whose followers know their ‘father in the Lord’ than they know Christ.

People of the World, please show me one T.B Joshua’s enemy. The same people calling him fake have fellow brethren they call enemies. The same people calling him false prophet have fellow ‘genuine’ pastors that they are not in talking terms with. The same people calling him ‘evil’ have fellow Christians they wish death upon… Between these people and T.B Joshua, who is more like Christ?

If Prophet T.B Joshua was ‘evil’ and he healed the sick, fed the poor, built hospitals, schools and houses for the needy, brought peace to nations of the earth, then I like his kind of ‘evil.’ 

Rest in Peace Prophet T.B Joshua!

Enenche EnencheAbuja, Nigeria 09/07/2021

CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF GOD’S SERVANT PROPHET TB JOSHUA – NOT MINE BUT GOD’S OWN (July 5th to July 11th 2021)

 

Dear Emmanuel TV Family worldwide, thank you for your love, prayers and support. From Monday, 5th July to Sunday 11th July 2021, a series of services celebrating the life and legacy of God’s servant Prophet TB Joshua will be broadcast live on Emmanuel TV!

Here are the details of these special services:

A candlelight procession will be held on Monday, 5th July from 6pm (GMT+1).  Although this event is a private service, you can join us LIVE on Emmanuel TV anywhere you are. We encourage you to get a candle as a symbol and connect with us in your homes to honour God’s servant Prophet TB Joshua!

An all-day tribute service will be held on Tuesday, 6th July from 10am (GMT+1) at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, Lagos, Nigeria. This is an opportunity for you to share a tribute or testimony – either in person or via video – about how God has used Prophet TB Joshua to touch your life in a unique way! This event is open to the public with limited seating - those unable to physically attend can submit short tribute videos to us on WhatsApp or Telegram on this number: +234 902 077 2823.

An all-night praise service will be held from midnight to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, 7th July at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations. This event is open to the public with limited seating - those unable to attend physically can join us LIVE on Emmanuel TV in this special time of praise, worship and celebration with international gospel artistes from around the world!

On Thursday, 8th July a lying-in-state service will be held at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (GMT+1). This service is open to the general public for people to pay their last respects to God’s servant Prophet TB Joshua.

The laying-to-rest service for Prophet TB Joshua will be held on Friday, 9th July from 10 a.m. (GMT+1) at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations.  This service will be open to the public with limited seating but it will be broadcast live on Emmanuel TV.

Finally, a thanksgiving service will be held on Sunday, 11th July from 9 a.m. (GMT+1) at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations. This service will be open to members of the public with limited seating and broadcast live on Emmanuel TV!

Remember what Prophet TB Joshua says: “Good Christians are good citizens.” All services at The SCOAN held in celebration of the life and legacy of Prophet TB Joshua will be in line with government’s current health and safety protocols.

“The greatest way to use life is to spend it on something that will outlive it.” – Prophet TB Joshua

 

TB Joshua Ministries

FAKE NEWS ALERT - EVELYN JOSHUA THE NEW HEAD OF SCOAN?

Since the passing on to Glory of the General overseer of The Synagogue, Church of all Nations (SCOAN), there has been a lot of fake news going around about the cause of death of the Prophet; controversy over where the prophet will be buried; and also the appointment of the wife of the Prophet, Evelyn Joshua as the new General overseer of The SCOAN.

While one would have chosen to ignore all this fake news, it will do no good to most members of the public that can be easily misled by what they read and hear from the news and social media.

Hence, this response.

Prophet TB Joshua was not sick before he passes on to Glory.

We all watched the last service of the Prophet before he was called home by God. We could see that there was no sign that the Prophet was sick.

He was healthy and sound. He was all smiling and claim in his usual disposition.

The Prophet was not sick neither did he travelled to Tunisia or any country for a medical checkup a few days before he left this world.

The Prophet was simply called back home by God like other Prophet of old to rest in God’s kingdom. Any other story outside that is fake news.

You can as well watch the Video of the last service of the Prophet below:

There is no controversy on where Prophet TB Joshua will be buried.

Every action concerning the Burial of the Prophet is subject to the directives of the Spirit of God.

Neither the wife of the Prophet nor His relatives have a say on the matter.

Everyone is free to air their opinion in the public. Where the prophet will be buried and the time he will be buried will be determined by the Spirit of God and there is no controversy over it.

It is also important to note that Evelyn Joshua has not to be appointed as the new General Overseer of the Synagogue Church of all Nations.

If she was appointed, it would have been made known to the public through the SCOAN official social media Channels and Emmanuel TV.

There was never a time any meeting was called upon by any family group and elders of the Church where an agreement was reached that Evelyn Joshua should be appointed as the new head of the SCOAN.

There is no leadership vacuum in the SCOAN with the demise of the Prophet and there is no rush for whatsoever reasons for a new person to head the SCOAN.

What everybody is focusing on right now is the burial ceremony of the Prophet.

The Prophet has not yet be buried and the wife is still mourning the departed soul of his lovely husband.

The issue of who would take over the head of the SCOAN would be after the burial of the Prophet and whosoever that person his, will be as directed by the Spirit of God.

This is not an issue of family Business according to comments by critics.

If Evelyn Joshua will be the newly appointed head of the SCOAN. It will be so according to the directives of God.

She will not be appointed based on agreements reached by any Church elders and family member.

If so be she will be appointed, Evelyn Joshua is not going to be qualified for that position because she is Prophet TB Joshua’s wife but because she was chosen and made qualified by God.

MAY THE WILL OF GOD BE DONE AND MAY HIS NAME ALONE BE GLORIFIED!! AMEN!

GOOD MORNING AND WIN TODAY!

FORMER MALAWIAN PRESIDENT JOYCE BANDA PAYS TRIBUTE TO PROPHET TB JOSHUA

"We want to thank God for the precious gift, Senior Prophet TB JOSUA, that HE gave to the world.

In 2009 my husband RICHARD BANDA was serving as Chief Justice in Swaziland after serving as Chief Justice of Malawi for ten years. In November of that year he was travelling to West Indies to attend a conference of the Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates Association. In London, he suffered a massive stroke.  

I was myself serving as Vice President of Malawi and was in Venezuela attending the Venezuela/ Africa summit representing my President.  A day after my arrival there I received a message that my husband was in a London hospital following a stroke. I travelled back. The doctors, after treating him for a two weeks, told me that he would have permanent brain damage and may never walk properly or speak again.

I told the doctor that he was not God and that I would continue to call upon God for healing.  From London I travelled to SCOAN, Nigeria to seek healing for my husband from God through His servant Prophet TB Joshua. We received our miracle and after two years we were able to go back to thank God for His mercy!

It has been 12 years of spiritual growth through this Man of God. In 2019, he invited 10 members of our family for fellowship and prayers. His life should be celebrated. He was ready to go to be with the Lord. May his soul rest in everlasting peace!"

JOYCE BANDA

FORMER PRESIDENT

MALAWI

RICHARD BANDA SC

FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE

MALAWI

SWAZILAND

* Tributes and condolence messages from around the world have been pouring in since Prophet TB Joshua was taken to glory on June 5th 2021. You can send a video with your message on the life and legacy of Prophet TB Joshua to +2349020772823 on WhatsApp or Telegram. Please note this number is for videos ONLY and all submissions should not be longer than one minute.

TB Joshua Ministries 

A TRANSITION SELF-FORETOLD IN PARABLES - PROPHET T.B. JOSHUA

 

While explaining the intricacies of matters of prophecy on October 5, 2014, during a SCOAN Sunday service, Prophet T.B. Joshua had told congregants that prophecy sometimes comes in the form of parables. Using himself as an example, the man of God asked the church: “If today is my last day, you want me to come out and say, ‘Today is my last day on earth’? If God has shown me, ‘T.B. Joshua, today is your last day on earth,’ I should come out and say, ‘Praise the Lord, today is my last day on earth’?” Prophet T.B. Joshua then said, “I will talk to you in parables so that when I’ve passed on to my Father, you can now pick those parables.”

On Saturday, 5th June 2021, Prophet T.B. Joshua actually spoke in parable about his own transition shortly before it happened. He had ministered at The Emmanuel TV Partners Meeting of that day and had started by saying, “I want to thank you for your time and for the heart you have for Jesus.” Then he spoke in parables: “Time for everything. A time to come here and a time to return home after service.” Then he gave the following advice: “Let us watch and pray” (Matthew 26).

In attendance at the Partners Meeting of that day was a certain Pastor Ikechukwu, who later told of the divine revelation he had during the impactful session of prayer and worship by the Emmanuel TV Choir and congregants. Here is Pastor Ikechukwu in his own words: “On that very day, which was Saturday, 5th June, we were at the Partners Meeting. We were praising the Lord. There was a lot of worship going on. I stood up. I was worshipping the Lord; I was deeply in worship. Immediately, my eyes opened. I saw something: People were running helter-skelter. This is my revelation. As they were running around, I quickly opened my eyes. I thought it was real. I looked back. Everybody was deeply in worship. I realised it was a revelation. I closed my eyes again. I was worshipping the Lord.”

Pastor Ikechukwu said the vision occurred a second time, narrating thus: “The revelation came the second time. So I sat down and began to pray. I was praying. I opened my eyes because I was meditating on what I saw. I saw an angel right from this point [pointing], descending. As the angel descended, I was amazed. I was looking at the angel. The second one landed. It was very fast, like electricity. It entered the second garden here [pointing]. Nobody was in the garden. Then the third angel landed. Then our father in the Lord, Prophet T.B. Joshua, came out. He was ministering to us. He was saying it is time to come and time to return home after service. So he began to preach; we were listening to him. He preached to a point.”

Describing the vision further, the pastor disclosed thus: “The fourth angel landed. I was watching them. Instantly, the atmosphere changed; the countenance of our father in the Lord, Prophet T.B. Joshua, changed. He dropped the microphone that was in his hand. He walked round. He was so fast. He walked round and then through the gate. I was watching him. He was moving very fast. I felt somehow because I had never seen him that way. He left us very fast. Before he left, I could recall that the antelopes were running out of that garden where the angels were. They ran to this part [pointing]. Then I watched everything as it unfolded. After that we were called to receive the Anointing Water. Then we received the Anointing Water. We received a message that T.B. Joshua said we were blessed. We received the Anointing Water; after we received it we were very happy. Then we all went back to our hotel rooms. This is what I experienced.”

On the significance of the vision in relation to Prophet T.B. Joshua’s peaceful transition later that same day, Pastor Ikechukwu stated: “God sent His angel and he took him home like Elijah. I want to assure you that God is real and our father, Prophet T.B. Joshua, is indeed a man of God. I saw the angel that came to take him home. And it is the Lord’s doing. I can as well tell you that if every man of God can be called home this way, it would be marvelous.”

Indeed, this vision is only another confirmation of the mighty power of God as has been manifesting in the ministry of Prophet T.B. Joshua right from the early days. As it was in the beginning, so shall it continue to be, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!

Emmanuel!

Sources: https://www.scoan.org/

FORMER NIGERIAN PRESIDENT JONATHAN PAYS TRIBUTE TO PROPHET TB JOSHUA

 

"I am saddened to hear about the death of Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua known as TB Joshua, the Spiritual Leader of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), at a young age of 57.

TB Joshua was a devout man of God who served God and humanity with relentless passion. He was a man of sound doctrine, meek and faithful to his call and passion of reconciling men to God and offering hope to humanity.

As a Christian leader, TB Joshua and his Ministry exemplified Christ in faith, love and charity; positively impacting the lives of many Nigerians, Africans and millions of people across the world.

I condole with his family, his church and millions of his followers across the world. May God grant them peace and strength to cope with this loss."

* Tributes and condolence messages from around the world have been pouring in since Prophet TB Joshua was taken to glory on June 5th 2021. You can send a video with your message on the life and legacy of Prophet TB Joshua to +2349020772823 on WhatsApp or Telegram. Please note this number is for videos ONLY and all submissions should not be longer than one minute. Good Morning and Win Today!

TB Joshua Ministries

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

 

Good Morning and Win Today! Dear SCOAN and Emmanuel TV family all over the world, we appreciate your continued prayers, love and support.

We know you are aware that our father in the Lord, Prophet TB Joshua, has been taken home to be with the Lord. We want to assure you that nothing will stop the work of God at The SCOAN from moving on. Prophet TB Joshua may be absent in the body but he is present in the spirit (Colossians 2:5). Indeed, God is even more powerful at distance!

We are currently preparing for the week-long service from Monday 5th to Sunday 11th July 2021 in honour of Prophet TB Joshua’s life and legacy. He will be laid to rest at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos, Nigeria.

All services will be broadcast live on Emmanuel TV. The services which will be open to the public will be communicated to you at the appropriate time.

As our father in the Lord, Prophet TB Joshua says, “When we close our eyes to all things in this world, we shall open them in a world of glory.”

Emmanuel – God is with us. Jesus is Lord!

TB Joshua Last Interview With Journalist

 

Prophet TB Joshua

Few days before the passing on to glory, four select journalists spoke to Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, in what appeared to be his last interview, on sundry issues. He particularly spoke about his calling, which he said could not be extended to his wife, Evelyn, except it pleases God hence she has remained in the background in the ministry. Segun James presents the excerpts:

How did you get the vision to lead a church?

I was called right here many years ago. Just a few meters away was the hut where I was staying as the other one is the hut where I pray and meditate and also read in absolute serenity. Vision comes from God through meditation amidst nature. Surrounded by nature you can concentrate. It is like you are talking of good lawyers, every profession must have a library, where you can sit down and do some studying. Without this place, I will not be able to concentrate and speak with the Almighty. So this is where I started and I must have a library and a place where I can enjoy nature, not the air condition or fan. So having nature around you is very good. God is nature and without nature you cannot understand the bible, because the bible is not history. When you are reading the bible, you are reading the Holy Spirit. So if you don’t allow nature, when you are reading, you will be reading history.

What is your dream for the future of the church?

We intend to build a university of science, which will incorporate our job here. When you talk of science, theology, medicine, these are the areas we will concentrate upon. When you have a student, this is where they should come and review whatever they are taught. You need some place like this, where you leave everything outside and come and hear the cocks’ crow. But outside here, when they are doing that, you can’t hear them because of noise.

So this place is very important to me. This is where I live, sleep and everything I do. If I want to see people outside here, I go outside, there is time for that, because the bible says that there is time to rest, time to work, time to rest is time to receive from God and time to work is time to give what you receive from God. And when you talk of time to rest, this is the best place to rest, not in the midst of technology or going to New York or travelling about but you rest in the midst of nature.

You said it all started here, how did it start given that this place was a swamp?

This swamp is the rejected stone. God spoke to me and brought me here, I have been following God’s vision and mission. When I am out of God’s mission I am finished. That is why you cannot see me outside here, you cannot hear me speak outside of here. What I want to show you now will leave you shocked. My brother saw it three days ago and was surprised. God’s time is the best and I always follow God’s time. So that is why I only called key people to show them this. So I have been following God’s time, that is why you will not see me preach every Sunday, or go on television to preach every day, I must hear from God before saying anything. Every time can be good for you and every time can be the best time for you, but for me, I must have a corresponding grace or power, because the Holy Spirit must suggest what to do before I do them. If not, I will not be able to have God’s result.

 

So this is why you are not seeing me out there – at weddings, naming ceremonies and coming to your office to grant and interview, this is the only church – the synagogue here in Ikotun and there is no other branch all over the world but it touches everywhere in the world. So, I am waiting for God to let me know if there will be branches or not. The important thing is that we should focus on building the people and not the church.

Given what is here, not much is reported, why?

They will soon get to know, we are just waiting for God’s time. There are many things to be done in this place. So things are at about 80% completion. If people should know about this place now, we will not be able to complete this job because it will cause distraction. So, it remains a bit for us to get to 95%, when we are at 95% we will let people know. It is going to be by grace, it is not something you pay money for, you can come and see people moving and praying. So, people will get to know; we are waiting for God’s time. After you leave here, I will like you to keep that information to yourself.

Why is it that you don’t want to talk about money?

Not that I don’t want to talk about money, because there are so many poor people around, if I begin to display what I have, can you imagine how much I will hurt those who are here? But whatever I can do to let them know that I understand what they are going through, I will do it. To give them money, to help them, supporting them, not to display what God has given me but to give them the support that they need.

You are always simply dressed, why?

If I have time to dress well I will do that.

Not much is known about your wife and family?

I am very happy about this question. I have a wife and I have children, and even my first daughter is doing her Phd and the second daughter is doing her master’s degree in Oxford. In all, I have three daughters, the last one is still in secondary school. I would have loved my wife to be like me but I cannot make her what I am; it is God. It is not possible for me to anoint her, God is the one that anoints people. So, it is not possible for her to sit here at the same time, this is not biological issue; it is inheritance from the saints, it is a partaker from the saints. Therefore, I should not use anything in my biological life to stop my spiritual life.

I am a native of Arigidi Akoko but as for my divine nature I am a partaker of the inheritance of the saints, therefore, it is so difficult for me. This is an apostolic ministry. It is not a ministry you read bible, go to theology school, you get it and you start preaching. No! It is purely divine. So, it is so difficult for me to display my wife, she has to be ready for God. As much as you are ready for God, God will display her.

Two things that are striking about you. One, you love gigantic projects, and two, you are heavily criticised by many people. How do you take them when you see them say uncomplimentary things about you?

It is always good if at the beginning they don’t see what is good about you. If they don’t see your journey at the beginning they will criticise you. It is good for you, at the end. So, if they praise you from the beginning it is not encouraging. If Nigeria has been accepting me right from the beginning of my mission, I think that will affect my mission to the world. I have gone all over the world, I am the only minister of God that organised a crusade in Israel. I have the certificate which was given to me in Israel. And I also went to Nazareth, where Jesus was born and organised a revival there. I am the first man of God to do that and it was carried in newspapers all over the world, Tell Magazine and the rest. An international cable news network carried it live when I was doing the crusade and a certificate was given to me. That is the greatest joy for any minister of God.

Why was there so much controversy about the crusade?

…Because it happened to Jesus, I cannot be greater than my master. A tenant cannot be greater than his landlord. If the landlord is criticised, who is the tenant? That is exactly what happened to Jesus. They said no, the Muslims were on the streets protesting, the Christian, Catholics and all. But I let them know that God sent me to do the revival in Israel. And top government functionaries, including Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu also sent his representative. So, on the second day I finished the revival, it was God that took me out of the place and millions of people attended. So, you can imagine a man like that, you know what happened to my building when almost 200 people died in synagogue? The CD of what happened is out. If they can go to the extent of killing 200 people spread all over the world, just to get me, so anything close to Jesus can be attacked.

Sources: Thisdaylive.com

Tee Mac Blasts Okotie over ‘Wizard of Endor’ comment on T.B. Joshua

 

Popular flutist and businessman, Dr. Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli, has accused pastors in the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) folds of being jealous of the late T. B. Joshua over his spiritual exploits. The man, a friend of the controversial prophet recalled how TB Joshua specifically asked him to invite Michael Jackson to Nigeria for healing, warning that the world King of Pop might die on June 25, 2009 if he didn’t take care of himself spiritually. In an interview with VINCENT KALU, Tee Mac also came down hard on the founder of Household of God Church, Pastor Chris Okotie, for allegedly mocking the deceased by describing him as the ‘Wizard of Endor,”

You were very close to the late General Overseer of Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet T. B. Joshua. What were your experiences with him?

I have been a close friend of T. B. Joshua since his early days. I met him at his old synagogue and was so impressed by his humble ways, his humble dressing. He used to treat me like a big star. I usually told him that I was impressed by what he was doing for mankind. This developed into a very big friendship. You may remember the year the World Heavyweight wrestler, Ultimate Commander won his title. Then, 20 world-class wrestlers were coming here and they were stranded at the airport and there was no logistics. At the time, I had met Ultimate Commander at Synagogue. So I called T.B. Joshua. He immediately sent a bus and cars to pick them up, lodged them in beautiful rooms at the Synagogue. He held an emergency meeting and allocated N2 million to renovate the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, paid the rent, and a few days later we had the fight that saw Ultimate Commander becoming the world champion. Because there was no time for publicity, of course not much money was made. He paid out of his pocket to some wrestlers. Some got $5,000, the famous ones $10,000, and the opponent to Ultimate Commander $20,000. He said the image of Nigeria would not be destroyed abroad. Then, we became real friends and I was regular at services. Every musician, any actor, anybody who had a health problem, I would bring to him for healing and they were healed. I worshipped regularly at the Synagogue when in Nigeria for 12 years.

Last Friday, the night before his death, I sent a message to the Synagogue that, next week I would come. Because on June 12, I always spent time with the prophet, just to hear on Sunday morning that he had joined the Lord. I went to see his wife, Mrs. Evelyn, on Monday morning to give her my condolences. She was very quiet and all the evangelists and trained pastors and greeted me. I was astonished; Prophet has already prepared for his going. He didn’t just die like that. We should not grieve because he has gone to rest with the Lord.

I used to tell him, ‘Man of God, you have to create time to rest. You are overworking yourself. Three in the morning you are attending to visitors. Seven in the morning you are still attending to people. The same in the afternoon, you have to find time and rest.’ He would say to me: ‘you know this is my calling.’ I personally think that maybe, he burnt himself out. He died at 57 and I’m 73. I taught my life that rule – work hard and rest well, eat healthy food and exercise.

Some years ago, on June 12, I went to greet him as usual. He told me: ‘Please, Tee Mac, tell you friend, Michael Jackson, that he has a sleeping disorder that he should come for healing.’ I told him that it was difficult then as Michael was rehearsing for his show in the UK. But I would call Marlon. He said, ‘Please, take it seriously because he may pass away on the 25th.’ I went and called Marlon and he said: ‘I know T.B. Joshua, but Michael Jackson cannot travel at the moment. And, he is not sick, but I will narrate that to him, if he is through let’s see if he would like to come to Nigeria.’  On that 25th, Marlon called me from America crying that you were right. Put on the CNN, they are carrying the body of Michael out of the house. That was on a Thursday. And, that same Sunday, I went to Synagogue Church. The pictures and video and YouTube with over two million viewers are there. I said to the congregation that when a prophet speaks from now on I would listen more. That was another piece of evidence to me. All those who talk negative things about him should be ashamed of themselves.

Pastor Chris Okotie said a certain Wizard of Endor who is hailed as Emmanuel, is gone. What do you say to this?

Some years ago when Chris Okotie was saying negative things about T. B. Joshua, I said to him, ‘I’m going with some big boys to teach Okotie some lessons.’ He said: ‘No, Tee Mac. I have forgiven him. You must forgive him too.’ He never responded to any of the hundreds of attacks or criticisms against him by Chris Okotie. I knew Okotie when he was a failed young musician. He has always been a coward, only running his mouth with the vocabulary he gets from the dictionary. He has nothing and he is nothing compared with T. B Joshua. He should shut up and not talk evil of somebody who has passed away. How can someone who claims to be a man of God talk bad about somebody who has died? T. B. Joshua told me about ten years ago to forgive him and I let it go. But today, he has shown that he is a disgrace and he calls himself a pastor.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) also refused to accept him into their folds. Was there anything he was doing differently that wasn’t biblical?

T. B. Joshua never applied to be part of them. He was the most respected and famous pastor in Africa. From Japan, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, and other countries, they know his name. There is a lot of jealousy going on in CAN and PFN, and when people are jealous, they become evil. He didn’t need to join them. For what? Does he owe them anything? Yes, he has healing powers; some few of them are nearly on that level. He didn’t think about them. It is pure jealousy. They say he didn’t go to Bible College to study theology; he didn’t go to the university to study theology. As a small child, he started preaching. He memorised the Bible. He had the natural gift of what he was doing. I have met with musicians who like me never went to a music academy, and those naturally talented musicians are successful because it was a gift of God to them. He has that gift of God to heal. I have witnessed healings. I have witnessed miracles, so nobody must tell me any other thing. I’m a member of Eckankar, but I’m a Christian too because T. B. Joshua has shown me what a true Christian is.

What is going to be l be the fate of his church now that he’s gone?

I was with Mrs. Evelyn. The church will continue as it is. He was wise enough to train six of the evangelists to be like him; they healed, they prophesied. He has prepared everything and they will assist Madam and the church will continue to grow exceedingly because the whole world, everyone who is a member and watches Emmanuel TV is in full support that his legacy must continue. And, I’m sure he is in heaven, smiling and praying. The church will survive. In Benin, the popular pastor, Archbishop Benson Idahosa died and the wife took over and the church has continued to grow. Nobody can be another T.B. Joshua, yet his foundation and legacy is there. There are tens of thousands of speeches recorded on Emmanuel TV. He was clever enough to record everything he said on tape during service. They can take all those messages and read and know what to do. He has left a legacy, which is more than enough for the next 50 years. And the foreign nationals will continue to come.