[size=14pt]Worshippers Pay N1,000 To Enter Oyakhilome’s Church[/size]

Posted By On January 5, 2011 @ 3:11 pm In National,News,Today's Headlines | No Comments

Christ Embassy Church in Lagos, South-West Nigeria, is being turned into show business as members were made to part with N1, 000 each as gate fee before they could enter their church to attend the New Year’s Eve service, P.M.NEWS can reveal.

P.M.NEWS confirmed that only members who could afford the N1, 000 gate fee were allowed into the premises of Christ Embassy Headquarters at Oregun, Lagos, where self-styled cleric and business man, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, preached on 31 December 2010.

The N1,000 ticket at Oyakhilome's Christ Embassy church

Indigent members who could not afford the N1, 000 tickets, were denied access and sent back by security men at the gate, it was learnt.

The church, a source said, realised about N25 million from about 25, 000 members who bought the tickets.

It was gathered that the church informed its members that it decided to impose a gate fee to control the huge crowd that always besiege the church on the New Year’s Eve church service.

“Pastor said that to control the crowd and only allow genuine members who could do anything to be in church, it was good to pay a gate fee. Last year for instance, even senior pastors in the church could not secure a seat in the church on New Year’s Eve service,” our source said.

The ticket, bought by our correspondent, was still on sale today, five days after the New Year’s church service took place.

A copy of the ticket has the following information printed on it: “one service…different locations worldwide impact! Time: 7 pm, Venue: Loveworld Convocation Arena, N1,000, December 31st New Year’s Eve Service With Pastor Chris.”

There is also a bold picture of Oyakhilome wearing one of his flashy suits. On the background there is a huge crowd in adulation of the man who once boasted that he will never be broke in life.

At the back of the ticket is a bold inscription : “ This ticket admists one person.”

The development, described as scandalous by those who got a glimpse of it, is unprecedented in the history of Christianity in Nigeria.

In the medieval period, similar scandals led to the break-away of Martin Luther from the Catholic church. This led to the formation of the Protestant movement.

At that time, Catholic priests were collecting money, known as indulgences, from worshippers before they could confess their sins.

These indulgences had become big business in much the same way pledge drives have become big business in Nigeria.

The development outraged Luther and others who kicked against it, quit the church and founded the protestant movement.

The latest scandal in Oyakhilome’s church comes only weeks after he appeared before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to answer questions on money laundering allegations.

According to TheNews magazine edition of 13 December 2010, the alleged laundering of $35 million by Christ Embassy was traced by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with the help of foreign partners.

The magazine reported that Oyakhilome and money have had a bitter-sweet relationship. While money has brought him a lush lifestyle: an eye-popping auto collection, a movie-star wardrobe of stylish suits and choice properties that include a stunning church auditorium, it has also brought him an arm-long list of scandals.

— Simon Ateba

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/01/05/worshippers-pay-n1000-to-enter-oyakhilomes-church/

Pastor said that to control the crowd and only allow genuine members who could do anything to be in church, it was good to pay a gate fee. Last year for instance, even senior pastors in the church could not secure a seat in the church on New Year’s Eve service,” our source said.

hmmmmmmmmmm

I think before a fire there would have been a smoke,right? My sincere question is this. What's the justification for charging 1000 toll fee in the name of crowd control? What happened to those people that really wanted to be in the presence God for watch service but DIDN'T have 1000?

Don't know if this story is valid, but i do know that christ embassy usually experience problems with crowd control. Is it pride or a lack of concern? There are many people around (secular and spiritual) that they can ask for counsel. They're not the first to have a large following.this kain i know it all, we vs. some folks attitude is bringing unnecessary shame and jeer to the body of Christ.

micklplus:

I think before a fire there would have been a smoke,right? My sincere question is this. What's the justification for charging 1000 toll fee in the name of crowd control? What happened to those people that really wanted to be in the presence God for watch service but DIDN'T have 1000?

People have been encouraged to watch at home or any of the viewing centres which are free. The church still has about four big auditorium arround the centre where people that stay in that area could watch free through satellite . So the idea is not about making money, AIT, NTA, and other stations were paid to broadcast the programme live. So as to keep people at home. The LCA  can only take about 25,000 People and it serves as a studio to broadcast the programme live all over the world, crowd has to be controlled to ensure every person has seat. And if the ticket had been free , everybody will get it. There will still be crowd trouble. Its a live programme, anything going wrong inside there will be embarrassing.We had a situation in Uk where the police had to force the Entrance of 02 arena closed , because of crowd and some were fighting their way in. That's why people were encouraged to participate in the various centres all over lagos and in their homes So as to prevent people coming all the way. So the idea is not what pm news reported , chaging gate fee . If the idea is about making money, all the centers worldwide would charge gate fee too.The solution is a bigger facility.

aloy/emeka:

Indigent members who could not afford the N1, 000 tickets, were denied access and sent back by security men at the gate, it was learnt.

aloy/emeka:

The ticket, bought by our correspondent, was still on sale today, five days after the New Year’s church service took place.

I can as well stop going to church on sundays and listen to sermon on radio, t v and internet. Atleast, I won't have to pay tithe, development fund, building fund, sunday contribution e.t.c MY sincere OPINION is dat, there's no justification for toll fee in church and its should henceforth be discouraged. Cheers

aloy/emeka:

The ticket, bought by our correspondent, was still on sale today, five days after the New Year’s church service took place.

Dulcet7:

I am not sure Joagbaje saw this bit. I’ll assist Jo in providing an explanation here; Crowd control is an ongoing process. With over a million people to control, It's going to take some time  

Joagbaje
i beg o, the solution is NOT a bigger facility. A bigger facility will mean more levy, true givers will be blessed true, but some'll give and become poorer, and probably do some desperate stuff that doesn't glorify God after motivation. And the problem still remains. I do not flatter you, but christ embassy will fill a 80,000 seat auditorium. Many other churches and secular speakers would bTw.

No cmment

Indigent members who could not afford the N1, 000 tickets, were denied access and sent back by security men at the gate, it was learnt.

The pm news like to exaggerate . They were not not sent back home but rather were directed to other facilities around the area where they can participate through projectors. It's just just that some people like to have their way.  The seats inside were numbered and reserved .you can't just walk into a place and take the seat of another person. That's what they did in the Uk programme.  Many  Nigerians don't like procedures.

The ticket, bought by our correspondent, was still on sale today, five days after the New Year’s church service took place.

Why would someone buy ticket for a past programme?

Joagbaje:

People have been encouraged to watch at home or any of the viewing centres which are free. [/b]The church still has about four big auditorium arround the centre where people that stay in that area could watch free through satellite . [b]So the idea is not about making money, AIT, NTA, and other stations were paid to broadcast the programme live. So as to keep people at home. The LCA  can only take about 25,000 People and it serves as a studio to broadcast the programme live all over the world, crowd has to be controlled to ensure every person has seat. And if the ticket had been free , everybody will get it. There will still be crowd trouble. Its a live programme, anything going wrong inside there will be embarrassing.We had a situation in Uk where the police  had to force the Entrance of 02 arena closed , because of crowd and some were fighting their way in. That's why people were encouraged to participate in the various centres all over lagos and in their homes So as to prevent people coming all the way. So the idea is not what pm news reported , chaging gate fee . If the idea is about making money, all the centers worldwide would charge gate fee too.The solution is a bigger facility.

Shut up if you hv noting to say!  
Why pay before i can worship God?

It's being aired on tv so he thinks every one could afford fueling Gen when there's no light?

If he think he can broadcast his sermon on air what's the need of going to church?

He would hv as well preached from his house/office for everyone to watch on tv.

To me it's plain rubbish coz the poor won't be able to attend his church?

Then it's not a true religion if it's meant for the rich only!

Indigent members who could not afford the N1, 000 tickets, were denied access and sent back by security men at the gate, it was learnt.

The pm news like to exaggerate . They were not not sent back home but rather were directed to other facilities around the area where they can participate through projectors. It's just just that some people like to have their way.  The seats inside were numbered and reserved .you can't just walk into a place and take the seat of another person. That's what they did in the Uk programme.  Many  Nigerians don't like procedures.

The ticket, bought by our correspondent, was still on sale today, five days after the New Year’s church service took place.

Why would someone buy ticket for a past programme?

People are so gullible! Imagine still buying tickets for a past programme! " My people perish because of lack of knowledge" says the bible

I lack words I was actually waiting for someone else to break the news here. What else would Oyaks not do?? Again I say "I lack words"

SirJohn:

I lack words I was actually waiting for someone else to break the news here. What else would Oyaks not do?? Again I say "I lack words"

@sirjohn
I tire oh! the scammer keeps breaking his own record in this art of sleaze, i wonder what he would come up with next

You guys fail to understand that there is worshiping God and there are other collateral expenses that must be addressed with regards to infrastructure, logistics etc. you cannot expect God to miraculously print currency with serial numbers and give to Oyaks to continue his work, Haba guys begin to reason practically now.

KunleOshob:

No cmment

Is this all you have to say I guess Jo must have been praying and fasting that you experience internet connectivity wahala today Somehow his prayer is working, though not in a way he expect

Joagbaje:

The pm news like to exaggerate .

Who is exaggerating here?

aloy/emeka:

Indigent members who could not afford the N1, 000 tickets, were denied access and sent back by security men at the gate, it was learnt.

p.m. news or . . .

Joagbaje:

They were not not sent back home but rather were directed to other facilities around the area where they can participate through projectors.

or Joagbaje

Joagbaje:

It's just just that some people like to have their way.

You don begin stammer for this small matter Take am easy abeg, drink water

Joagbaje:

Why would someone buy ticket for a past programme?

Because it’s still available for purchase. That was why the p.m news correspondent was able to buy one. Members must buy up the left-over ticket ooo! Even if it takes the whole year to sell it, the church must recover the cost of printing the ticket (with some profit as usual)

Its rada absurd dat guilible persons r stil buying tickets after d program hv ended!
y i dnt wish 2 to speak rheoterics,am forced to ask d following:
was crowd control a justifiable reason 4 such an act?
dat its a live program(definately nt d 1st 4 CE) makes it a premise 4 such imposition?
Y r tickets stil bin sold afta d program hv passed?
Were members/guests adequately informed b4 such a measure was taken?
were d indigent members of d church taken in2 consideration?
wuld christ hav actd in same mana?

Yes. When i and kunle Oshob was complaining about the money laundery going on in christ embassy you all said we hate christ embassy. But can you see how that business organisation operates? Can you see the foo-lish Joagbaje has nothing to say. Christ embassy is not a church but an empire for money laundery serving the mammon god. They worship their pastors. The are pedophiles, thieves and rogues. Just imagine. AND where is that Id.iotic MABELL? MABELL AND JOAGBAJE are dooms, they inherited it from their pastors. Stupid id.iots, prosti-tutes

Yes. When i and kunle Oshob was complaining about the money laundery going on in christ embassy you all said we hate christ embassy. But can you see how that business organisation operates? Can you see the foo-lish Joagbaje has nothing to say. Christ embassy is not a church but an empire for money laundery serving the mammon god. They worship their pastors. The are pedophiles, thieves and rogues. Just imagine. AND where is that Id.iotic MABELL? MABELL AND JOAGBAJE are dooms, they inherited it from their pastors. Stupid id.iots, prosti-tutes

@Ymodulus
Haba it should not get to the level of calling them idiots and prostitutes, na wah o.

Back to the topic i think its very lame for Joagbaje to defend anything here. Honestly i am beginning to get confused about Christ Embassy. Pastor Chris celebrated his birthday, everybody knew about it but did everybody go for the birthday, the answer is NO. So those that went how did they get IV was it not sent to them. Personally i paid for the ticket make e no be like say na me poor pass, but the rationale behing that idea or who muted at all still makes me to wonder. If you want to restrict crowd or the so called senior Pastor who were locked out last year, and you want them to get a seat this year. While not simply give or allocate the number of seats par the cards to the churches, must it be sold for a whooping 1000.
People are always looking for what to say but must we always give them what to say. But just a thought how does Pastor Chris ministry keep expanding, its just a food for thought. That means God is with him no matter the mistakes or error the church makes, that should be the key learning point about God. Thats my own opinion o.

I dey laff-o! I dey laff @ pple who have eyes & ears for decoration, those who worship man, those who refuse to read their bibles.

shinaidowu:

@Ymodulus
Haba it should not get to the level of calling them idiots and love-peddlers, na wah o.

Back to the topic i think its very lame for Joagbaje to defend anything here. Honestly i am beginning to get confused about Christ Embassy. Pastor Chris celebrated his birthday, everybody knew about it but did everybody go for the birthday, the answer is NO. So those that went how did they get IV was it not sent to them. Personally i paid for the ticket make e no be like say na me poor pass, but the rationale behing that idea or who muted at all still makes me to wonder. If you want to restrict crowd or the so called senior Pastor who were locked out last year, and you want them to get a seat this year. While not simply give or allocate the number of seats par the cards to the churches, must it be sold for a whooping 1000.
People are always looking for what to say but must we always give them what to say. But just a thought how does Pastor Chris ministry keep expanding, its just a food for thought. That means God is with him no matter the mistakes or error the church makes, that should be the key learning point about God. Thats my own opinion o.

@ d bolded, i can only imagine d number of pple like u that grudgingly paid d N1k only to start smiling and jumping in an atmosphere of psychological delusion once inside. THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO TO YOURSELF IS TO DECEIVE YOURSELF!
Ask urself how do other religions and churches expand? Is rapid expansion a proof that God is with a ministry? Then God must be with islam, catholic, budhism and any fast-growing religion/ministry, cos each 1 of islam & d catholic church have a population of over 1 billion, and i don't think ur CE has a worldwide membership of up to 10m members. Using ur logic, any church not expanding rapidly lack d presence of God right? _{food 4 tot}

sorry emeka but someone beat you to starting this topic

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-580005.0.html