Indeed, the service was devoted entirely to sensitizing and mobilizing members of the Church regarding the danger of this deadly virus and the need to comply with government directives.

Muyiwaipere:
Lol ..Bishop Oyedepo
Romans 13vs1

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Fucking Junkie no open any of him church for yankee but because we no get government for here u feel u can misbehave?
You for give that kind excuse for yankee and see if trump won’t ruin your career

And his children’s would come here and start talking jargons

DCmonster:
What are you saying? Did you see Florida in my post? Memphis, Tennessee is different from florida. Different state,different law and government.

HigherEd:
PRESS STATEMENT FROM LIVING FAITH CHURCH ON CHURCH SERVICE OF MARCH 22, 2020

*Coronavirus: Compliance with Government Order – Matters Arising*

It has become necessary to issue this statement to clarify issues surrounding why Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, the International Headquarters of Living Faith Church in Ogun State, held church service on Sunday, although with less than half of her regular worshippers.

There have been diverse responses varying from well-meaning concerns to uncharitable insinuations, misinterpretations, and unfounded allegations that the service was held in deliberate defiance of Ogun State Government ban on high-density gatherings, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Nothing can be further from the truth.

For avoidance of doubt, as stakeholders and as a responsible organisation, Living Faith Church fully supports and encourages compliance with all initiatives of government to combat the spread of this dreaded virus. However, information has to be strategically disseminated to the grassroot, noting that the Church is a family and not an industry, it is for this reason that enlightenment and sensitization from the Church platform is a most effective way to get people involved in playing their part in terms of prayers and intercessions and not just staying away from Church without knowing what to do.

Invariably, a press release from the office of the CAN President, through his Special Assistant on media on Saturday March 21, 2020, expressed the same position that members who may gather in church premises, many of whom may not be aware of this regulations should be allowed to worship for the purpose of enlightenment on the subject matter.

As we all know, the Church is made up of both literate and illiterate congregants; many are not in touch with any of the modern platforms of communication and this is what we did yesterday. Indeed, the service was devoted entirely to sensitizing and mobilizing members of the Church regarding the danger of this deadly virus and the need to comply with government directives.

The Bishop has since engaged Ogun State Government at the highest level to clarify this issue and any misgivings and reiterated the full support of the church for the State Government’s efforts to ensure public safety, towards curtailing the spread of this deadly virus. He appreciates the opportunity of direct engagement and the understanding of the government. Cooperation to safeguard public safety is not just a moral obligation or civic responsibility; the church also considers it a spiritual duty.

For instance, to show how law abiding our organisation is and in compliance with government directives, all our primary and secondary schools across the nation have been directed to close down. Also, our students at Landmark University, Omuaran, Kwara State were sent back home, while Covenant University Students, who are currently on vacation were instructed to stay back at home while awaiting further directives from government.

As a responsible and law abiding organization we wish to state that will ensure compliance with the government directives in all our churches across the state .

The Church shall continue to engage all necessary logistics to ensure compliance with government directives and continue to pray for speedy divine intervention to stem this deadly virus.

Pastor Steve Ogah
Special Assistant to Bishop David Oyedepo

https://www.facebook.com/444807728996437/posts/1991025694374625/

HigherEd:
PRESS STATEMENT FROM LIVING FAITH CHURCH ON CHURCH SERVICE OF MARCH 22, 2020

*Coronavirus: Compliance with Government Order – Matters Arising*

It has become necessary to issue this statement to clarify issues surrounding why Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, the International Headquarters of Living Faith Church in Ogun State, held church service on Sunday, although with less than half of her regular worshippers.

There have been diverse responses varying from well-meaning concerns to uncharitable insinuations, misinterpretations, and unfounded allegations that the service was held in deliberate defiance of Ogun State Government ban on high-density gatherings, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Nothing can be further from the truth.

For avoidance of doubt, as stakeholders and as a responsible organisation, Living Faith Church fully supports and encourages compliance with all initiatives of government to combat the spread of this dreaded virus. However, information has to be strategically disseminated to the grassroot, noting that the Church is a family and not an industry, it is for this reason that enlightenment and sensitization from the Church platform is a most effective way to get people involved in playing their part in terms of prayers and intercessions and not just staying away from Church without knowing what to do.

Invariably, a press release from the office of the CAN President, through his Special Assistant on media on Saturday March 21, 2020, expressed the same position that members who may gather in church premises, many of whom may not be aware of this regulations should be allowed to worship for the purpose of enlightenment on the subject matter.

As we all know, the Church is made up of both literate and illiterate congregants; many are not in touch with any of the modern platforms of communication and this is what we did yesterday. Indeed, the service was devoted entirely to sensitizing and mobilizing members of the Church regarding the danger of this deadly virus and the need to comply with government directives.

The Bishop has since engaged Ogun State Government at the highest level to clarify this issue and any misgivings and reiterated the full support of the church for the State Government’s efforts to ensure public safety, towards curtailing the spread of this deadly virus. He appreciates the opportunity of direct engagement and the understanding of the government. Cooperation to safeguard public safety is not just a moral obligation or civic responsibility; the church also considers it a spiritual duty.

For instance, to show how law abiding our organisation is and in compliance with government directives, all our primary and secondary schools across the nation have been directed to close down. Also, our students at Landmark University, Omuaran, Kwara State were sent back home, while Covenant University Students, who are currently on vacation were instructed to stay back at home while awaiting further directives from government.

As a responsible and law abiding organization we wish to state that will ensure compliance with the government directives in all our churches across the state .

The Church shall continue to engage all necessary logistics to ensure compliance with government directives and continue to pray for speedy divine intervention to stem this deadly virus.

Pastor Steve Ogah
Special Assistant to Bishop David Oyedepo

https://www.facebook.com/444807728996437/posts/1991025694374625/

OTayobami:
What Insolence! I am a Christian but that won't stop me from saying the truth, how can you put the lives of the masses in jeopardy?!
*Modified*
I am not bothered about any tithe or offering but going to this length to disobey government orders shows how irresponsible he is and does not care about the masses.
Why not tell them to stay at home and make their prayers to God, even tho there are some illiterates that are not aware or can't connect with the online service

Mizwisdom:



Excuse me, people are too hard on the Church. He has given reasons, allow him for peace sake. Nobody is infallible.

Deltayankeeboi:
Yahooboi Oyedepo.
How could you be this dumb

PrimadonnaO:


Shut the gate, fine. But remember that the real point of discouraging gatherings was to keep everyone safe. If those people are turned away at the gate without them realising the real reason, then the purpose has been defeated.

Those people will put themselves at risk in other ways.

Muyiwaipere:
Lol ..Bishop Oyedepo
Romans 13vs1

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Fucking Junkie no open any of him church for yankee but because we no get government for here u feel u can misbehave?
You for give that kind excuse for yankee and see if trump won’t ruin your career

And his children’s would come here and start talking jargons

majamajic:
No apologies ?


They are blaming the illterate ones for coming

southpole:
People are hard on the church probably because the church has failed. If it were in the days of the early Christians or early prophets do you think covid-19 could have surfaced ? Prophet Elisha alone without calling congregation could have dealt with it. Why is it that today's holy oil can not do what the holy oil did in the days of the early Christians? This is what happen when the church shifts it's focus from Jesus to money.

crackkhaus:

masterP042:

Yes na. Are schools not shut down?

Kingosytex:
I think the pastor was right.

The church is made up of both literate and illiterate congregants.

Those who came for service might not have been aware of the situation on ground.

DExcellent1:


It would have done you enough good to have comprehend the statement before commenting.

dukeprince50:
what sort of nonsense are you saying? This is not the age where we have to gather to get information, I bet you, 98.72% of those living in the southern region already knows about corona. I do not think he did it cos of the offering but to show he is above authority. To obey is better than sacrifice

southpole:
That is what to say when your general overseer becomes your God.

kunletexs:
All the morons that were bashing and jumping into conclusions, treating and heaping insults on the leadership of the church should now man-up and retract their words if truly they are educated. Yes man up and apologise and swallow your stinking pride. But I guess you are a sissy.

OTayobami:
What Insolence! I am a Christian but that won't stop me from saying the truth, how can you put the lives of the masses in jeopardy?!
*Modified*
I am not bothered about any tithe or offering but going to this length to disobey government orders shows how irresponsible he is and does not care about the masses.
Why not tell them to stay at home and make their prayers to God, even tho there are some illiterates that are not aware or can't connect with the online service

deltateam:


Guy, I hope you will not shit on your pants explaining why you called Pastor Oyedepo irresponsible before God?

Granted his actions may not have been rational but outrightly calling a man of God 'irresponsible' will not be part of my own sins o.

Kingosytex:
I think the pastor was right.

The church is made up of both literate and illiterate congregants.

Those who came for service might not have been aware of the situation on ground.

ekestic1976:



It's a lie. You aren't a Christian. No true Christian would go to this length to castigate a church about the issue of Stay at home order.

Kingosytex:


It is very possible that the bolded signifies what happened.

Halo22:
What authority are you referring to? Do we have responsible leadership in the country at large? They even tried by clearing the air in the first place. Useless govt that can't take common care of its citizens.