Church closure over COVID-19: I smell a rat, forces of darkness targeting the church – Billionaire cleric, Oyedepo

…it’s foolish shutting down churches, opening markets

…church a place of healing, says Oyakhilome

More than six weeks after Federal and State Governments shut down churches and mosques over COVID-19, the government and the church appears locked in argument as to the appropriateness of the continued closure.

The founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide (a.k.a Winners’ Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo and Christ Embassy’s Senior Pastor, Chris Oyakhilome, have kicked against the continued closure of the church across the country.

Calling such decision as foolish, Oyedepo said the churches should be reopened, asking: “Which one is more orderly, the market or the church? I can smell a rat’’.

Persecondnews recalls that initially the government had asked the churches to observe social distancing and pegged congregational assembly to 50, but thereafter a slammed a total locknut on the churches and mosques.

Some pastors and imams were arrested in some part of the country for conducting fellowships to seek the face of God concerning coronavirus pandemic.

Oyedepo said: “There is something wrong for government to allow markets to open for six hours and not allow churches to open for two hours.

“There should be opening of the churches around the world. Sir, there is something wrong for people to be allowed to be in the market for six hours and can’t be in church for two hours.

“It is an upside down ways of looking at things, while quoting Ecclesiastic 4:13 which said “Better is a poor and wise child than an old foolish king who will no more be admonished.

“The greatest headache of the power of darkness is the expansion  and progress of the church. No civilization had ever endured without a foundation in Christ,’’ he said in a televised sermon.

“I can smell a rat; the forces of darkness are influencing people against the church, targeting the church. But the gate of hell shall not prevail against the church, they shall gather but they shall fall. The devil and all his agents will pay for this.

“Hospital where people die every day is opened and the church is closed.’’

Oyakhilome, on his part, lashed out at Church leaders and association for agreeing with the government to shut down churches in a bid to halt the spread of Coronavirus.

“Such leaders are not true Christians and that is the reason the country is yet to see the hand of God.

“The church leaders should have told the government to give them time to pray and consult with their congregation before thinking of closing churches,’’ he also said in a telecast.

Oyakhilome said some churches would soon be tagged, “COVID-19 compliant’’, where people who are infected with the virus would not be allowed to enter.

Insisting that the House of God is a place for healing, the preacher wondered why infected patients were not allowed in the churches to get their healing.

“COVID-19 compliant churches will mean churches that people who are infected with COVID-19 cannot come there. Is the church of Jesus Christ not a place of healing?

“So, those of you who love to run around government officials to get your validation come and get COVID-19 compliant registration for your church. That is the last day Jesus will be in that church. But that is coming,” he said.

Oyakhilome alleged that the church leaders agreed to shut down their churches because they were promised some compensation.

“What compensation can be enough to replace the praise and worship of the congregation? I hope you have enjoyed the time so far, only you in the cathedral did online transmission.

“Hope you enjoyed it so far? But thank you very much for what you did to the House of God,” he said.