By Leke Beecroft

THIS ARTICLE HOW NECESSARY AND COST EFFECTIVE IS OWNERSHIP OF JETS BY MEGA CHURCHES?


#1. The Efficiency Factor:

First of all, how efficient are the commercial services of the Nigerian aviation system? This answer is an obvious NO and has been so through the years. Is there anyone reading this in Nigeria, who is a regular air traveller and whose flight has never been delayed or who has never experienced some form of disappointment? In 2011, Oyedepo visited 27 countries for missionary purposes. In a particular week, I monitored his movement from sunday evening when he left Lagos for Kenya till friday evening when he arrived back in Lagos, Nigeria for a night ministration. He was in Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Botswana (if my memory serves me right) in a spate of five days and was back to minister at the night session in Nigeria. This would have been absolutely impossible using commercial aviation means in Africa. No wonder Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo pointed out that as close as Liberia or Togo and other West African countries were to Nigeria, it was easier to get a commercial flight to London than to our neighbours here in Africa.

#2. The Ignorance, busy-body and Poverty Mentality Factor:

Secondly, when missionary establishments of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s flew in white missionaries on jets or helicopters, they were welcomed by the Nigerian locals and it was an acceptable sight. Why? They were whites. One of the greatest issues with missionary owned jets in Africa is the poverty mentality. Today, several billionaires in Nigeria are celebrated because they own jets. Young musicians and artistes are also celebrated for wearing large "bling blings" and "Chopping their money" on private jets...but when indigenously established missionary organizations, whose only mission is to save your soul are discovered to own these same aircraft to facilitate easy air trips, every busybody wants to have a say and criticize, sometimes very insultive....including those who have either never stepped foot in a church, never dropped a dime in offerings to God or have never even embraced the commandments of the Bible.

As much as criticism of missionary owned jets may be "religiously and politically" correct, I make bold to say they are scripturally incorrect. We are called covenant children of Abraham; what does the Bible say about Father Abraham? Genesis 13:2 "And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold." Genesis 24:1 "And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things." I am also very glad that after the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, it took a wealthy man to come get his body and put him in a befitting tomb. Also before his death when Judas was grumbling about the Alabaster Box that should have been given to the poor, the Bible had this to say "Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he CARED for the poor; but because he was a THIEF, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." John 12;4-6.

If the argument is really about giving to the poor, why not also ask all the oil moguls in the country, all businessmen, musicians and all other owners to sell their jets and give to the poor? Obviously the emphasis isn't about the poor but anger and envy that wealth seems to be moving to the church...unfortunately, it hasn't even started. The Bible is the constitution of the christian. if what is in the Bible hurts your feelings, I render no apologies....let God be true and every man be a liar. Romans 3:4.

#3. Travel Frequency, Time, Administrative and Global Reach Factor:

For record purposes, as at the last time I checked and I believe I am current, the christian organizations who presently own aircraft in Nigeria are the Redeemed Christian Church of God which has branches in over 190 countries, the Living Faith Church Worldwide with branches in over 60 countries and 'Shiloh' online presence in over 170 countries, Christ Embassy with 'Rhapsody' presence in over 180 countries and branches in at least 4 continents as well as the immediate past CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor led Word of Life Bible Church. Pastor Ayo began to broadcast to the world before any of the afore mentioned pastors, back in 1987.

I ask another question; is it true that the leaders of some of these organizations travel regularly around the world? Do you have any idea what the itinerary of the Adeboyes, Oyedepos, Oritsejafors and Oyakhilomes entail?


Again it was Pastor Adeboye that said “there are things you need. When you have to oversee churches in 160 countries, you can’t do that on a bicycle,” Bishop Mike Okonkwo in an interview seemed to be in disagreement with some pastors listed here, the press excitedly tried to instigate him the more by asking about the ownership of jets. He explained to them however how he had once travelled to the Central African Republic for a programme but had to wait idly for almost a week for a return flight to Nigeria through Cameroon...... Any serious man or organization has respect for their time. The Church is one of such. Pastor Sam Adeyemi said once that all you need to grow old on time is to be a regular commercial flier on long trips.

#4. The Maintenance Cost Factor:

"If you are rich and desire to become poor quickly, own an aircraft." Pastor Enoch A Adeboye.

[b]Very many people do not understand what it takes to maintain an aircraft, especially in a country like Nigeria where aviation is controlled almost purely at the Federal level. How many people remember the issues with payment of parking fees for the Nigerian Presidential jet in 2009/10 when President Yar' Adua was flown to Saudi Arabia? Large sums of money (probably in millions of dollars) were paid for the aircraft which sat idly at the Riyadh King Khalid International Airport. One organization which used to charter aircraft frequently for movement to her crusade venues around the globe once paid about #75,000,000 (Seventy Five Million naira) annually for parking her aircraft at Bristow helicopters in Lagos.

Those who usually tout the example of the Pope who charters and flies Alitalia do not even realise that his accumulated flight expenses along with his entourage in just 30 flights will buy a nice jet. Let me break it down. Is it better to buy a car or charter a cab so expensive that you would have spent the cost of that car in just 30 drops?[/b]

My question again is, is it better to park your aircraft idly at the airport and pay these heavy parking sums to the government from church offerings not forgetting servicing, repairs and maintenance costs or lease them to aviation companies which in turn return profit at no cost to the church? Rev Gabriel Oduyemi bought a jet for church use. I do not need to tell the story of what happened to that aircraft but remember that it was the same aircraft that Omotola Jolade Ekeinde's pilot husband bought as 'scrap". Lest I forget, the average Captain in the aviation industry earns $10,000 (N3,600,000 or N3.6m) monthly. For two captains, that will be $20,000 (N7.2m) monthly or $240,000 (N86.2m) annually, not forgetting travel and landing allowances, hotel bills for the pilots etc. Young pilots need to accumulate hours and hours of flight so they opt for commercial planes instead of private jets who do not fly that regularly. This means that owning a private jet leaves you with almost no option than to hire experienced or veteran captains. This of course means you pay well for it. Luke 16:8 "And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation WISER THAN THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT".


Fortunately, the children of light are wiser now. They lease out their jets when not in use and avoid incurring unnecesary and exorbitant costs while the aircraft remains active even when not in use. Winners’ Chapel stretched this point. Among the first generation of missionary aircraft owners, she started leasing out her aircraft to EMS Speedpost once she realised what the costs of maintenance entailed and with due notice, she would use same jet for her missionary trips eventually an oil company also leased the jet and had to pay compensation after an accident. The church decided to buy another aircraft and this time built a hangar at the airport in Lagos. The hangar has space for 6 jets at a time. Now she does not rely on "church income" to maintain the hangar but runs it as a separate concern, funding itself. This is the line Church jet owners should be towing. I will quickly add at this point that for large organizations, it is cheaper to own aircraft than to keep paying for commercial air tickets or for charter services. If leasing a missionary aircraft will save costs and preserve the life of that aircraft for longer use, then that is simply the way to go


https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1244611439016058&id=444807728996437

The OP is a Living Faith slave.. Seen several of his post.

Any sane mind would know the reason why these MOGs have Private Jets is because it satisfies their personal ego. Nothing more. All that travelling about is just bull crap. Jesus never owned any means of transport yet he travelled from region to region. The one time he was personal was on a borrowed donkey. For the rest he hitched a ride on his disciples boats.

Why's your pastor even flying round the world?! Can't he just sit one place? Or is his anointing too much that he must go distribute it?? Do you see the Archbishop of Canterbury or Pope of Vatican flying round the world now and then organising crusades and Whatnots?? Na. That's why they have priests. The priests are capable of providing for the spiritual needs of their congregation.


The Roman Catholic Church should be a yardstick for all y'all. The Pope, who's also a head of state still flies commercial. But these men of God in Nigeria with their inflated ego can't stand sharing a plane with lesser individuals.

HeyCorleone:
The OP is a Living Faith slave.. Seen several of his post.

Any sane mind would know the reason why these MOGs have Private Jets is because it satisfies their personal ego. Nothing more. All that travelling about is just bull crap. Jesus never owned any means of transport yet he travelled from region to region. The one time he was personal was on a borrowed donkey. For the rest he hitched a ride on his disciples boats.

Why's your pastor even flying round the world?! Can't he just sit one place? Or is his anointing too much that he must go distribute it?? Do you see the Archbishop of Canterbury or Pope of Vatican flying round the world now and then organising crusades and Whatnots?? Na. That's why they have priests. The priests are capable of providing for the spiritual needs of their congregation.


The Roman Catholic Church should be a yardstick for all y'all. The Pope, who's also a head of state still flies commercial. But these men of God in Nigeria with their inflated ego can't stand sharing a plane with lesser individuals.

Yes i am gladly a Living Faith Slave-That is a complement, my faith in Jesus is indeed a Living one. Thank you very much! If you are trying to instigate me against Catholics then go back to the demons that sent you-tell them to try harder, i don't fall for such crap.


Some people quoting me and asking me silly questions like "did Apostle Paul own any Jet?". I would have addressed it if I thought it was a sensible argument.

Response: Paul didn't own a jet neither did he own a Car, Motorbike or Bicycle. Does owning a Car make you less Christian than Paul? If Yes then all Christians shouldn't use cars again then we can tell pastors to stop using jets and join us on our trekking mandate

HeyCorleone:
The OP is a Living Faith slave.. Seen several of his post.

Any sane mind would know the reason why these MOGs have Private Jets is because it satisfies their personal ego. Nothing more. All that travelling about is just bull crap. Jesus never owned any means of transport yet he travelled from region to region. The one time he was personal was on a borrowed donkey. For the rest he hitched a ride on his disciples boats.

Why's your pastor even flying round the world?! Can't he just sit one place? Or is his anointing too much that he must go distribute it?? Do you see the Archbishop of Canterbury or Pope of Vatican flying round the world now and then organising crusades and Whatnots?? Na. That's why they have priests. The priests are capable of providing for the spiritual needs of their congregation.


The Roman Catholic Church should be a yardstick for all y'all. The Pope, who's also a head of state still flies commercial. But these men of God in Nigeria with their inflated ego can't stand sharing a plane with lesser individuals.

Stay on message and stop behaving like an erratic person making baseless comparisons. Attack the message and critic it like a sane person rather than assaulting the character of people who disagree with you and derailing the thread into Catholics Vs Pentecostals. You must be an Atheist because world over you people behave like mad people that are so insecure about the religiosity of others. Your advocacy for Catholicism and Anglicanism is only a cheap ploy to derail the argument here-mind you i am from an Anglican family myself.

Leke Beecroft who is a strong emerging voice for the pentecostal church and happens to be an Air Traffic Controller has put on an argument here claiming numerous points. If you can negate his points with verifiable and aunthetic data then let us have it, if not shove your opinion back into your throat.

Mirand606:

Stay on message and stop behaving like an erratic person making baseless comparisons. Attack the message and critic it like a sane person rather than assaulting the character of people who disagree with you and derailing the thread into Catholics Vs Pentecostals. You must be an Atheist because world over you people behave like mad people that are so insecure about the religiosity of others. Your advocacy for Catholicism and Anglicanism is only a cheap ploy to derail the argument here.

How you arrive at baseless conclusions is very funny.

I never insulted the character. Obviously you don't know how to use words.

About me dragging the Catholic Church into this, if you had taken time to read the post rather than be in a haste bash me for reasons unbeknownst to me, you'd have seen that the OP brought them in first. So what's the crime in me doing like him?!

Please if you have nothing good or reasonable to say kindly stay off my quotes. Gracias.

HeyCorleone:
The OP is a Living Faith slave.. Seen several of his post.

Any sane mind would know the reason why these MOGs have Private Jets is because it satisfies their personal ego. Nothing more. All that travelling about is just bull crap. Jesus never owned any means of transport yet he travelled from region to region. The one time he was personal was on a borrowed donkey. For the rest he hitched a ride on his disciples boats.

Why's your pastor even flying round the world?! Can't he just sit one place? Or is his anointing too much that he must go distribute it?? Do you see the Archbishop of Canterbury or Pope of Vatican flying round the world now and then organising crusades and Whatnots?? Na. That's why they have priests. The priests are capable of providing for the spiritual needs of their congregation.


The Roman Catholic Church should be a yardstick for all y'all. The Pope, who's also a head of state still flies commercial. But these men of God in Nigeria with their inflated ego can't stand sharing a plane with lesser individuals.

while u are a slave to freeze in fact he has frozen ur senses. So pope is d standard? I wonder d bible u read

HeyCorleone:





How you arrive at baseless conclusions is very funny.

I never insulted the character. Obviously you don't know how to use words.

About me dragging the Catholic Church into this, if you had taken time to read the post rather than be in a haste bash me for reasons unbeknownst to me, you'd have seen that the OP brought them in first. So what's the crime in me doing like him?!

Please if you have nothing good or reasonable to say kindly stay off my quotes. Gracias.

There is no correlation between your response and the initial post. The thread was clearly an attempt to clarify some widely held misrepresentations on social media. I know this because i have shared this particular post sometime ago.

Secondly, the Catholic Church Is an age long institution with a record of errors, mistakes, atrocities and good deeds also-How would you like someone pointing out issues of Child Molestations, Financial Fraud etc that has gone for so long in the Catholic Church as proof that the Catholic Church is an invalid ministry? Surely you know you wouldn't win such a debate unless you are debating with a very ignorant person. So don't judge others by their actions and judge yourself by your intention.

salvation101:
while u are a slave to freeze in fact he has frozen ur senses. So pope is d standard? I wonder d bible u read

let's use Jesus that ride donkey that was borrowed as the standard

salvation101:
while u are a slave to freeze in fact he has frozen ur senses. So pope is d standard? I wonder d bible u read

Lol. I can't understand why y'all is mad.

Slave to Freeze?! Is he your uncle that he told you such? I am no slave to no one. I'm just reasonable enough to know that our men of God are egoistic and materialistic and would go to any length to satisfy their needs.

Mirand606:

There is no correlation between your response and the initial post. The thread was clearly an attempt to clarify some widely held misrepresentations on social media. I know this because i have shared this particular post sometime ago.

Secondly, the Catholic Church Is an age long institution with a record of errors, mistakes, atrocities and good deeds also-How would you like someone pointing out issues of Child Molestations, Financial Fraud etc that has gone for so long in the Catholic Church as proof that the Catholic Church is an invalid ministry? Surely you know you wouldn't win such a debate unless you are debating with a very ignorant person. So don't judge others by their actions and judge yourself by your intention.

The reason I forever like the Catholic Church is they have erred, and have admitted their errors. They spent a greater part of the 20th century apologising for the crimes commuted under the Inquisition. These days the Pope expels priests for Child Molestation. I mean as secretive as the Catholic Church may be, their life is in the open. They have demonstrated times without number they are not perfect.


I'm sure you're Pentecostal or even a Winners member that's why you're fighting so hard, and senselessly at that.

This would be the last time you'd get a reply from me. I don't mingle with dimwits.

And I'm begging you in the name of God and your Parents not to reply me. Thank You.

This post is too long jare.

BTW, pls patronize me

Charity to the poor is priority doesn't matter what anybody says

Statsocial:
Yes i am gladly a Living Faith Slave-That is a complement, my faith in Jesus is indeed a Living one. Thank you very much!

[img]https://theblackhistorymonthproject.files./2012/02/tubman-quote.jpg?w=500[/img]

owning a private jet and owning a private car are the samething if you can afford it, because they are both means of transportation.

Nonsense

True!!

I thaught they said they have no jets

Sorry OP I love reading but this write up is too boring that I couldn't make it to the second paragraph . it's like reading climate change or Ozone layer write up. It almost sent me to sleep ..

Statsocial:
By Leke Beecroft

THIS ARTICLE HOW NECESSARY AND COST EFFECTIVE IS OWNERSHIP OF JETS BY MEGA CHURCHES?


#1. The Efficiency Factor:

First of all, how efficient are the commercial services of the Nigerian aviation system? This answer is an obvious NO and has been so through the years. Is there anyone reading this in Nigeria, who is a regular air traveller and whose flight has never been delayed or who has never experienced some form of disappointment? In 2011, Oyedepo visited 27 countries for missionary purposes. In a particular week, I monitored his movement from sunday evening when he left Lagos for Kenya till friday evening when he arrived back in Lagos, Nigeria for a night ministration. He was in Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Botswana (if my memory serves me right) in a spate of five days and was back to minister at the night session in Nigeria. This would have been absolutely impossible using commercial aviation means in Africa. No wonder Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo pointed out that as close as Liberia or Togo and other West African countries were to Nigeria, it was easier to get a commercial flight to London than to our neighbours here in Africa.

#2. The Ignorance, busy-body and Poverty Mentality Factor:

Secondly, when missionary establishments of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s flew in white missionaries on jets or helicopters, they were welcomed by the Nigerian locals and it was an acceptable sight. Why? They were whites. One of the greatest issues with missionary owned jets in Africa is the poverty mentality. Today, several billionaires in Nigeria are celebrated because they own jets. Young musicians and artistes are also celebrated for wearing large "bling blings" and "Chopping their money" on private jets...but when indigenously established missionary organizations, whose only mission is to save your soul are discovered to own these same aircraft to facilitate easy air trips, every busybody wants to have a say and criticize, sometimes very insultive....including those who have either never stepped foot in a church, never dropped a dime in offerings to God or have never even embraced the commandments of the Bible.

As much as criticism of missionary owned jets may be "religiously and politically" correct, I make bold to say they are scripturally incorrect. We are called covenant children of Abraham; what does the Bible say about Father Abraham? Genesis 13:2 "And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold." Genesis 24:1 "And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things." I am also very glad that after the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, it took a wealthy man to come get his body and put him in a befitting tomb. Also before his death when Judas was grumbling about the Alabaster Box that should have been given to the poor, the Bible had this to say "Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he CARED for the poor; but because he was a THIEF, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." John 12;4-6.

If the argument is really about giving to the poor, why not also ask all the oil moguls in the country, all businessmen, musicians and all other owners to sell their jets and give to the poor? Obviously the emphasis isn't about the poor but anger and envy that wealth seems to be moving to the church...unfortunately, it hasn't even started. The Bible is the constitution of the christian. if what is in the Bible hurts your feelings, I render no apologies....let God be true and every man be a liar. Romans 3:4.

#3. Travel Frequency, Time, Administrative and Global Reach Factor:

For record purposes, as at the last time I checked and I believe I am current, the christian organizations who presently own aircraft in Nigeria are the Redeemed Christian Church of God which has branches in over 190 countries, the Living Faith Church Worldwide with branches in over 60 countries and 'Shiloh' online presence in over 170 countries, Christ Embassy with 'Rhapsody' presence in over 180 countries and branches in at least 4 continents as well as the immediate past CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor led Word of Life Bible Church. Pastor Ayo began to broadcast to the world before any of the afore mentioned pastors, back in 1987.

I ask another question; is it true that the leaders of some of these organizations travel regularly around the world? Do you have any idea what the itinerary of the Adeboyes, Oyedepos, Oritsejafors and Oyakhilomes entail?


Again it was Pastor Adeboye that said “there are things you need. When you have to oversee churches in 160 countries, you can’t do that on a bicycle,” Bishop Mike Okonkwo in an interview seemed to be in disagreement with some pastors listed here, the press excitedly tried to instigate him the more by asking about the ownership of jets. He explained to them however how he had once travelled to the Central African Republic for a programme but had to wait idly for almost a week for a return flight to Nigeria through Cameroon...... Any serious man or organization has respect for their time. The Church is one of such. Pastor Sam Adeyemi said once that all you need to grow old on time is to be a regular commercial flier on long trips.

#4. The Maintenance Cost Factor:

"If you are rich and desire to become poor quickly, own an aircraft." Pastor Enoch A Adeboye.

[b]Very many people do not understand what it takes to maintain an aircraft, especially in a country like Nigeria where aviation is controlled almost purely at the Federal level. How many people remember the issues with payment of parking fees for the Nigerian Presidential jet in 2009/10 when President Yar' Adua was flown to Saudi Arabia? Large sums of money (probably in millions of dollars) were paid for the aircraft which sat idly at the Riyadh King Khalid International Airport. One organization which used to charter aircraft frequently for movement to her crusade venues around the globe once paid about #75,000,000 (Seventy Five Million naira) annually for parking her aircraft at Bristow helicopters in Lagos.

Those who usually tout the example of the Pope who charters and flies Alitalia do not even realise that his accumulated flight expenses along with his entourage in just 30 flights will buy a nice jet. Let me break it down. Is it better to buy a car or charter a cab so expensive that you would have spent the cost of that car in just 30 drops?[/b]

My question again is, is it better to park your aircraft idly at the airport and pay these heavy parking sums to the government from church offerings not forgetting servicing, repairs and maintenance costs or lease them to aviation companies which in turn return profit at no cost to the church? Rev Gabriel Oduyemi bought a jet for church use. I do not need to tell the story of what happened to that aircraft but remember that it was the same aircraft that Omotola Jolade Ekeinde's pilot husband bought as 'scrap". Lest I forget, the average Captain in the aviation industry earns $10,000 (N3,600,000 or N3.6m) monthly. For two captains, that will be $20,000 (N7.2m) monthly or $240,000 (N86.2m) annually, not forgetting travel and landing allowances, hotel bills for the pilots etc. Young pilots need to accumulate hours and hours of flight so they opt for commercial planes instead of private jets who do not fly that regularly. This means that owning a private jet leaves you with almost no option than to hire experienced or veteran captains. This of course means you pay well for it. Luke 16:8 "And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation WISER THAN THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT".


Fortunately, the children of light are wiser now. They lease out their jets when not in use and avoid incurring unnecesary and exorbitant costs while the aircraft remains active even when not in use. Winners’ Chapel stretched this point. Among the first generation of missionary aircraft owners, she started leasing out her aircraft to EMS Speedpost once she realised what the costs of maintenance entailed and with due notice, she would use same jet for her missionary trips eventually an oil company also leased the jet and had to pay compensation after an accident. The church decided to buy another aircraft and this time built a hangar at the airport in Lagos. The hangar has space for 6 jets at a time. Now she does not rely on "church income" to maintain the hangar but runs it as a separate concern, funding itself. This is the line Church jet owners should be towing. I will quickly add at this point that for large organizations, it is cheaper to own aircraft than to keep paying for commercial air tickets or for charter services. If leasing a missionary aircraft will save costs and preserve the life of that aircraft for longer use, then that is simply the way to go


https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1244611439016058&id=444807728996437

My dear brother in Christ, there is no explanation that can justify a pastor owning a private jet talk less of up to 4 jets!! Air travel is not like land travel. The only reason they own these jets is because they want to satisfy their ego and the church can afford it so why the heck not. Are you saying without the Jets they can't travel the world? Before those jets were acquired were they not spreading the word and growing their churches? Are they holier than men of God with no private jets even though they can afford it. So you see its just lust after the pleasures of the earth. You see my brother the reason this jet issue is even an issue at all is because it is extremely expensive so expensive that the rich can not afford it, it is only for the super rich. Don't get me wrong they did nothing wrong in acquiring those exorbitantly expensive materialistic things, rather it's a question of morality, I think it's morally wrong. I have my reasons. Any body seen to be managing the resources of others needs to lead a certain lifestyle unless it is his personal business then he is free to do as he wishes. Secondly as a leader of a Christian church you have show humility Christ is humble their is humility in traveling with other passengers(there is nothing wrong with that in the first place) you don't submit to the whims and pleasures of the flesh. So you see don't defend them they are only human and human beings have their flaws.

Khd95:
let's use Jesus that ride donkey that was borrowed as the standard

Abi oh.
Meanwhile there were chariots, which he could have used.
These pastorprenuers are NOT serving God, the Father who sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ to show us in words and works how to live a Christian life.
They are not and they cannot.
They are serving mammon, their personal god hence they are appropriately also gods of mentally lazy men who won't read their Bible.


www.nairaland.com/attachments/6249257_pastor_jpeg2e4e8592b29c783dcc87f79282640639

Then let them use their personal money to buy and maintain these aircraft.




No matter the rationale behind private jet acquisition, put the people's need first, before your convenience.



Jesus never bought a ship, nor a horse, in the course of evangelism, neither did the apostles.

Save my soul my foot

F

Statsocial:
By Leke Beecroft

THIS ARTICLE HOW NECESSARY AND COST EFFECTIVE IS OWNERSHIP OF JETS BY MEGA CHURCHES?


#1. The Efficiency Factor:

First of all, how efficient are the commercial services of the Nigerian aviation system? This answer is an obvious NO and has been so through the years. Is there anyone reading this in Nigeria, who is a regular air traveller and whose flight has never been delayed or who has never experienced some form of disappointment? In 2011, Oyedepo visited 27 countries for missionary purposes. In a particular week, I monitored his movement from sunday evening when he left Lagos for Kenya till friday evening when he arrived back in Lagos, Nigeria for a night ministration. He was in Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Botswana (if my memory serves me right) in a spate of five days and was back to minister at the night session in Nigeria. This would have been absolutely impossible using commercial aviation means in Africa. No wonder Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo pointed out that as close as Liberia or Togo and other West African countries were to Nigeria, it was easier to get a commercial flight to London than to our neighbours here in Africa.

#2. The Ignorance, busy-body and Poverty Mentality Factor:

Secondly, when missionary establishments of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s flew in white missionaries on jets or helicopters, they were welcomed by the Nigerian locals and it was an acceptable sight. Why? They were whites. One of the greatest issues with missionary owned jets in Africa is the poverty mentality. Today, several billionaires in Nigeria are celebrated because they own jets. Young musicians and artistes are also celebrated for wearing large "bling blings" and "Chopping their money" on private jets...but when indigenously established missionary organizations, whose only mission is to save your soul are discovered to own these same aircraft to facilitate easy air trips, every busybody wants to have a say and criticize, sometimes very insultive....including those who have either never stepped foot in a church, never dropped a dime in offerings to God or have never even embraced the commandments of the Bible.

As much as criticism of missionary owned jets may be "religiously and politically" correct, I make bold to say they are scripturally incorrect. We are called covenant children of Abraham; what does the Bible say about Father Abraham? Genesis 13:2 "And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold." Genesis 24:1 "And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things." I am also very glad that after the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, it took a wealthy man to come get his body and put him in a befitting tomb. Also before his death when Judas was grumbling about the Alabaster Box that should have been given to the poor, the Bible had this to say "Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he CARED for the poor; but because he was a THIEF, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." John 12;4-6.

If the argument is really about giving to the poor, why not also ask all the oil moguls in the country, all businessmen, musicians and all other owners to sell their jets and give to the poor? Obviously the emphasis isn't about the poor but anger and envy that wealth seems to be moving to the church...unfortunately, it hasn't even started. The Bible is the constitution of the christian. if what is in the Bible hurts your feelings, I render no apologies....let God be true and every man be a liar. Romans 3:4.

#3. Travel Frequency, Time, Administrative and Global Reach Factor:

For record purposes, as at the last time I checked and I believe I am current, the christian organizations who presently own aircraft in Nigeria are the Redeemed Christian Church of God which has branches in over 190 countries, the Living Faith Church Worldwide with branches in over 60 countries and 'Shiloh' online presence in over 170 countries, Christ Embassy with 'Rhapsody' presence in over 180 countries and branches in at least 4 continents as well as the immediate past CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor led Word of Life Bible Church. Pastor Ayo began to broadcast to the world before any of the afore mentioned pastors, back in 1987.

I ask another question; is it true that the leaders of some of these organizations travel regularly around the world? Do you have any idea what the itinerary of the Adeboyes, Oyedepos, Oritsejafors and Oyakhilomes entail?


Again it was Pastor Adeboye that said “there are things you need. When you have to oversee churches in 160 countries, you can’t do that on a bicycle,” Bishop Mike Okonkwo in an interview seemed to be in disagreement with some pastors listed here, the press excitedly tried to instigate him the more by asking about the ownership of jets. He explained to them however how he had once travelled to the Central African Republic for a programme but had to wait idly for almost a week for a return flight to Nigeria through Cameroon...... Any serious man or organization has respect for their time. The Church is one of such. Pastor Sam Adeyemi said once that all you need to grow old on time is to be a regular commercial flier on long trips.

#4. The Maintenance Cost Factor:

"If you are rich and desire to become poor quickly, own an aircraft." Pastor Enoch A Adeboye.

[b]Very many people do not understand what it takes to maintain an aircraft, especially in a country like Nigeria where aviation is controlled almost purely at the Federal level. How many people remember the issues with payment of parking fees for the Nigerian Presidential jet in 2009/10 when President Yar' Adua was flown to Saudi Arabia? Large sums of money (probably in millions of dollars) were paid for the aircraft which sat idly at the Riyadh King Khalid International Airport. One organization which used to charter aircraft frequently for movement to her crusade venues around the globe once paid about #75,000,000 (Seventy Five Million naira) annually for parking her aircraft at Bristow helicopters in Lagos.

Those who usually tout the example of the Pope who charters and flies Alitalia do not even realise that his accumulated flight expenses along with his entourage in just 30 flights will buy a nice jet. Let me break it down. Is it better to buy a car or charter a cab so expensive that you would have spent the cost of that car in just 30 drops?[/b]

My question again is, is it better to park your aircraft idly at the airport and pay these heavy parking sums to the government from church offerings not forgetting servicing, repairs and maintenance costs or lease them to aviation companies which in turn return profit at no cost to the church? Rev Gabriel Oduyemi bought a jet for church use. I do not need to tell the story of what happened to that aircraft but remember that it was the same aircraft that Omotola Jolade Ekeinde's pilot husband bought as 'scrap". Lest I forget, the average Captain in the aviation industry earns $10,000 (N3,600,000 or N3.6m) monthly. For two captains, that will be $20,000 (N7.2m) monthly or $240,000 (N86.2m) annually, not forgetting travel and landing allowances, hotel bills for the pilots etc. Young pilots need to accumulate hours and hours of flight so they opt for commercial planes instead of private jets who do not fly that regularly. This means that owning a private jet leaves you with almost no option than to hire experienced or veteran captains. This of course means you pay well for it. Luke 16:8 "And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation WISER THAN THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT".


Fortunately, the children of light are wiser now. They lease out their jets when not in use and avoid incurring unnecesary and exorbitant costs while the aircraft remains active even when not in use. Winners’ Chapel stretched this point. Among the first generation of missionary aircraft owners, she started leasing out her aircraft to EMS Speedpost once she realised what the costs of maintenance entailed and with due notice, she would use same jet for her missionary trips eventually an oil company also leased the jet and had to pay compensation after an accident. The church decided to buy another aircraft and this time built a hangar at the airport in Lagos. The hangar has space for 6 jets at a time. Now she does not rely on "church income" to maintain the hangar but runs it as a separate concern, funding itself. This is the line Church jet owners should be towing. I will quickly add at this point that for large organizations, it is cheaper to own aircraft than to keep paying for commercial air tickets or for charter services. If leasing a missionary aircraft will save costs and preserve the life of that aircraft for longer use, then that is simply the way to go


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Oya OP shey you sabi book and can cook up excuses for the excesses of these materialistic pastors of today, why did the Apostle Paul with all his missionary journey in the scriptures never owned a cruise ship abi do you think that if he lorded it over the congregation, they would not buy it for him.

Listen you can make noise for all you want, i dont want to be drawn into those kind of battles, i never chop since two weeks but the truth is that the church now is a commercial entity that have digressed from the path of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If Jesus Christ and his apostles and disciples of Bible Times did not profit from their evangelical work, who the forrk are your pastors and ministers who make millions of dollars from their sheep, are they super Jesus or is their righteousness greater than Peter, Paul combined?

Bro no need to explain all these things to people not ready to understand again.... Even for the Oyedepo school where we dey sef na still bone of contention.... Some dey talk am like say hin dey go cruise for Paris with the private jet or something.... They don forget say some other Pastors for the ministry dey travel in these Jets go missions in countries..... Pesin go talk say church member no fit ride Okada, but if we look am rationally, if they start dey share 10k for church every Sunday, salvation go lose essence as na money people go dey come church Come collect.

Who gives a fucck if your god owns a private jet for missionary works or pleasure?

Point is, it is still irritating to see these small gods flaunt their wealth in the face of the many who see it as being 'not good enough' and you are quick to label them as having a 'poverty mentality'.

In winners, all you do is flaunt wealth, welcome Yahoo guys, collect huge tithes from theives and just enjoy the show!

The poor are part of you, whom you have forced to pay tithes and donations, no matter how small, but same, couldn't attend your overly expensive schools that are obviously meant for the rich!

That being said, it is noteworthy to discuss why members couldn't be given discounts and poor members couldn't be given scholarships!

Your god says they aren't making any profit from these investments, yet, not that the poor kids are attending your institutions for free.

As agreed and as noted by the first commentator, you are slave for whom you serve!

That, oh, slave, is your fuckin problem. You sha can't fool everyone!
Yan Yan Yan Yan..... Talking nonsense always!

[quote author=Statsocial post=63695115]By Leke Beecroft

THIS ARTICLE HOW NECESSARY AND COST EFFECTIVE IS OWNERSHIP OF JETS BY MEGA CHURCHES?


#1. The Efficiency Factor:

First of all, how efficient are the commercial services of the Nigerian aviation system? This answer is an obvious NO and has been so through the years. Is there anyone reading this in Nigeria, who is a regular air traveller and whose flight has never been delayed or who has never experienced some form of disappointment? In 2011, Oyedepo visited 27 countries for missionary purposes. In a particular week, I monitored his movement from sunday evening when he left Lagos for Kenya till friday evening when he arrived back in Lagos, Nigeria for a night ministration. He was in Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Botswana (if my memory serves me right) in a spate of five days and was back to minister at the night session in Nigeria. This would have been absolutely impossible using commercial aviation means in Africa. No wonder Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo pointed out that as close as Liberia or Togo and other West African countries were to Nigeria, it was easier to get a commercial flight to London than to our neighbours here in Africa.

#2. The Ignorance, busy-body and Poverty Mentality Factor:

Secondly, when missionary establishments of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s flew in white missionaries on jets or helicopters, they were welcomed by the Nigerian locals and it was an acceptable sight. Why? They were whites. One of the greatest issues with missionary owned jets in Africa is the poverty mentality. Today, several billionaires in Nigeria are celebrated because they own jets. Young musicians and artistes are also celebrated for wearing large "bling blings" and "Chopping their money" on private jets...but when indigenously established missionary organizations, whose only mission is to save your soul are discovered to own these same aircraft to facilitate easy air trips, every busybody wants to have a say and criticize, sometimes very insultive....including those who have either never stepped foot in a church, never dropped a dime in offerings to God or have never even embraced the commandments of the Bible.

As much as criticism of missionary owned jets may be "religiously and politically" correct, I make bold to say they are scripturally incorrect. We are called covenant children of Abraham; what does the Bible say about Father Abraham? Genesis 13:2 "And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold." Genesis 24:1 "And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things." I am also very glad that after the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, it took a wealthy man to come get his body and put him in a befitting tomb. Also before his death when Judas was grumbling about the Alabaster Box that should have been given to the poor, the Bible had this to say "Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he CARED for the poor; but because he was a THIEF, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." John 12;4-6.

If the argument is really about giving to the poor, why not also ask all the oil moguls in the country, all businessmen, musicians and all other owners to sell their jets and give to the poor? Obviously the emphasis isn't about the poor but anger and envy that wealth seems to be moving to the church...unfortunately, it hasn't even started. The Bible is the constitution of the christian. if what is in the Bible hurts your feelings, I render no apologies....let God be true and every man be a liar. Romans 3:4.

#3. Travel Frequency, Time, Administrative and Global Reach Factor:

For record purposes, as at the last time I checked and I believe I am current, the christian organizations who presently own aircraft in Nigeria are the Redeemed Christian Church of God which has branches in over 190 countries, the Living Faith Church Worldwide with branches in over 60 countries and 'Shiloh' online presence in over 170 countries, Christ Embassy with 'Rhapsody' presence in over 180 countries and branches in at least 4 continents as well as the immediate past CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor led Word of Life Bible Church. Pastor Ayo began to broadcast to the world before any of the afore mentioned pastors, back in 1987.

I ask another question; is it true that the leaders of some of these organizations travel regularly around the world? Do you have any idea what the itinerary of the Adeboyes, Oyedepos, Oritsejafors and Oyakhilomes entail?


Again it was Pastor Adeboye that said “there are things you need. When you have to oversee churches in 160 countries, you can’t do that on a bicycle,” Bishop Mike Okonkwo in an interview seemed to be in disagreement with some pastors listed here, the press excitedly tried to instigate him the more by asking about the ownership of jets. He explained to them however how he had once travelled to the Central African Republic for a programme but had to wait idly for almost a week for a return flight to Nigeria through Cameroon...... Any serious man or organization has respect for their time. The Church is one of such. Pastor Sam Adeyemi said once that all you need to grow old on time is to be a regular commercial flier on long trips.

#4. The Maintenance Cost Factor:

"If you are rich and desire to become poor quickly, own an aircraft." Pastor Enoch A Adeboye.

[b]Very many people do not understand what it takes to maintain an aircraft, especially in a country like Nigeria where aviation is controlled almost purely at the Federal level. How many people remember the issues with payment of parking fees for the Nigerian Presidential jet in 2009/10 when President Yar' Adua was flown to Saudi Arabia? Large sums of money (probably in millions of dollars) were paid for the aircraft which sat idly at the Riyadh King Khalid International Airport. One organization which used to charter aircraft frequently for movement to her crusade venues around the globe once paid about #75,000,000 (Seventy Five Million naira) annually for parking her aircraft at Bristow helicopters in Lagos.

Those who usually tout the example of the Pope who charters and flies Alitalia do not even realise that his accumulated flight expenses along with his entourage in just 30 flights will buy a nice jet. Let me break it down. Is it better to buy a car or charter a cab so expensive that you would have spent the cost of that car in just 30 drops?[/b]

My question again is, is it better to park your aircraft idly at the airport and pay these heavy parking sums to the government from church offerings not forgetting servicing, repairs and maintenance costs or lease them to aviation companies which in turn return profit at no cost to the church? Rev Gabriel Oduyemi bought a jet for church use. I do not need to tell the story of what happened to that aircraft but remember that it was the same aircraft that Omotola Jolade Ekeinde's pilot husband bought as 'scrap". Lest I forget, the average Captain in the aviation industry earns $10,000 (N3,600,000 or N3.6m) monthly. For two captains, that will be $20,000 (N7.2m) monthly or $240,000 (N86.2m) annually, not forgetting travel and landing allowances, hotel bills for the pilots etc. Young pilots need to accumulate hours and hours of flight so they opt for commercial planes instead of private jets who do not fly that regularly. This means that owning a private jet leaves you with almost no option than to hire experienced or veteran captains. This of course means you pay well for it. Luke 16:8 "And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation WISER THAN THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT".


Fortunately, the children of light are wiser now. They lease out their jets when not in use and avoid incurring unnecesary and exorbitant costs while the aircraft remains active even when not in use. Winners’ Chapel stretched this point. Among the first generation of missionary aircraft owners, she started leasing out her aircraft to EMS Speedpost once she realised what the costs of maintenance entailed and with due notice, she would use same jet for her missionary trips eventually an oil company also leased the jet and had to pay compensation after an accident. The church decided to buy another aircraft and this time built a hangar at the airport in Lagos. The hangar has space for 6 jets at a time. Now she does not rely on "church income" to maintain the hangar but runs it as a separate concern, funding itself. This is the line Church jet owners should be towing. I will quickly add at this point that for large organizations, it is cheaper to own aircraft than to keep paying for commercial air tickets or for charter services. If leasing a missionary aircraft will save costs and preserve the life of that aircraft for longer use, then that is simply the way to go



In the time of Jesus and his disciples, there was no private jet. Had it been private jet was in existence at that time; Christ and his disciples would have own one.I see no reason why christians can't have private jet if unbelievers can have it.

2cato:
I thaught they said they have no jets

Is Alhaji Lai Mohammed also working for GO David Oyedepo

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