Rita Odafe
Calls for Action Against Fake Miracle Pastors
On Wednesday, Adewale Giwa, Senior Pastor of The Second Coming of Christ’s Ministry, called on the Nigerian government to take action against pastors who deceive their congregations with fake miracles.
Pastor Giwa emphasized that the church should not operate as a commercial enterprise and urged authorities to apprehend those selling miracle soaps and anointing oils.
Press Conference Highlights
During a press event in Akure, Ondo State, Giwa strongly asserted that the government shouldn’t impose taxes on churches.
He stated, “If they witness pastors staging fake miracles with the same person repeatedly, the government must intervene and arrest these deceptive individuals. Some pastors exploit their followers by orchestrating ‘money miracles,’ where congregants are instructed to raise their phones, and soon after, they claim to receive unexpected financial alerts without having worked for it.”
“Desiring something for nothing is unacceptable. This is precisely where the government needs to take action against fraudulent pastors.”
He further commented on the church’s role, clarifying that it is a non-profit organization not required to pay taxes. According to Giwa, the church’s true mission, as represented in the Acts of the Apostles, is to provide physical and spiritual nourishment to the community. He criticized pastors who benefit financially while their congregations face poverty.
“The funds collected through tithes and offerings should serve the community, not be misappropriated. Our church handles all its expenses independently; thus, the government has no grounds for demanding taxes. If they find any pastor engaging in false miracle performances, they should establish a committee to address this issue,” he stated.
Giwa condemned the commercialization of religious practices, particularly citing a pastor selling anointing products, insisting, “The church should not be a marketplace. Any pastor involved in such practices must be held accountable.”
Lastly, he discussed the topic of tithing, noting its significance but clarifying that it is not compulsory. He referred to Jesus’ teachings, indicating that while giving is important, love and compassion towards others hold greater value. He reaffirmed that while tithing is beneficial for believers, it is not enforced under the grace of Christ.
