I recently listened to the ministration of Moses Bliss on YouTube and I was blown away and keyed into an aura of blissful worship. I could feel the deep and sincere worship in his worship song – Too Faithful, that has been viewed more than 5 million times. This song got stuck to my head for a long time because I could relate to the impactful lyrics and acknowledge the faithfulness of JEHOVAH. Our consistent GOD who is too faithful to leave us. Who is too committed to leave us halfway. And Who does what He says He would do. The beauty and impact of his lyrics reminded me of the great work Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has done as a Man of God. The music ministers from Believers Loveworld, his ministry, are exceptional. From the Billboard-topping Sinach to the multi-instrumentalist Frank Edwards, Pastor Chris has groomed believers and Christian musicians whose music gives you a hint of their wholesome understanding of GOD’S word. Even members of Christian denominations that have superiority complex like Deeper Life are inspired by the pure worship that emanates from the music of the spiritual children of Pastor Chris.

Pastor Chris’s work extends beyond the music ministries of his children. His daily devotional Rhapsody Of Realities is a truly global devotional. It has been translated into about a thousand global languages that are freely distributed by the seed from members. His Rhapsody Bible can be found freely distributed in far-flung places like Canada and Cambodia. Pastor Chris hangs out with the global Christian clergy celebrities like Benny Hinn and the late Morris Cerulo, a feat arguably only achieved by the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa. These kinds of achievements can easily make a man of God to see himself as a God of men. Recent utterances of Pastor Chris have made many to question is circumspection, a Christian virtue that many highly accomplished ministers tend to lack especially at the height of their accomplishments. They often start making false calls and unforced errors like the support Yemi Osinbajo got from Pastorate of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and Pastor Tunde Bakare accepting to be Buhari’s vice-presidential candidate without God’s approval. These days, Christ Embassy members who can still think independently are becoming increasingly wary of their Father in the Lord’s utterances about global events and happenings. From 5G to Black Lives Matter, Pastor Chris has been coming up with hypothesis and conspiracy that only die-hard supporters of Donald Trump can stomach.

Most leaders especially African political leaders become unreasonable as their power and influence grow. This phenomenon is worsened by the hero-worshipping attitudes of their followers. At this point, these leaders are surrounded by yes men and women who praise their every move. African religious leaders are also predisposed to this. Members of Christ Embassy who are in awe of the achievements of Pastor Chris do not believe he can make a mistake. They feel at his level of closeness to God he can do no wrong. He is infallible. It is this mindset that also makes these leaders see themselves as assistant God. For Pastor Chris and other religious leaders, there is a grave danger here. Their followers follow them even when they do unbiblically deeds and in the process deify them. This is a precarious place to find oneself because JEHOVAH is a jealous God who will not share His place or glory with any man, no matter your accomplishments. Humans are copycats, hence, leaders including parents must scrutinize their thoughts before manifesting them in words and actions. Christ Embassy members have a high tendency of copying their Pastor. When he decided to relax his hair to be Caucasian-like with conditioning cream years ago, many members did the same. Lately, Pastor Chris has been piling controversies like separation from his wife, his daughter having 2 wedding ceremonies, and others. One would not be surprised if his children start following these examples. It is on this reasoning that I call on those close to Pastor Chris to tell him that the first, strongest, and wisest man fell from glory. He is not the first, strongest or wisest, hence, he should take heed lest he fall

Ata Ukuta, Editor – www.towncryyers.com