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General Overseer of the Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN), Prophet TB Joshua got a rousing welcome as he arrived Israel during the week.
He was met on arrival by Rabbi Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, founder of Zaka, Israel’s award-winning rescue agency, who presented Prophet Joshua with an award in recognition of his humanitarian efforts.
The SCOAN founder had intervened during the calamitous earthquake in Haiti in 2010 by sending relief materials worth millions of dollars including medical supplies and food items.
He also intervened in Indonesia when he visited, the ‘House of Love’, a charity that provides shelter for orphans, unwanted children, the elderly and the homeless. He donated $10,000 to Hana Ananda, founder of the charity home. In Ghana, food items were donated to Muslim communities. The same gesture was extended to Agege and Alaba Rago in Lagos, Nigeria.
During his visit which ends Saturday, an Israeli television station, Reshet TV ran an 11-minute documentary on Prophet Joshua over his impending arrival in the country. The documentary which was in Hebrew language with subtitle in English has since been uploaded on YouTube. Some pilgrims interviewed in the documentary by the biblical River Jordan acknowledged the popularity of Joshua and welcomed his announcement. Joshua also held series of meetings with Israeli government officials.
- B Joshua had last Sunday announced plans to leave Nigeria and have his ministry in Israel. During the announcement during the Sunday service, the SCOAN founder said he had held meetings with three prominent Israeli mayors of Jerusalem, Tiberias and the Jordan valley and he had been offered land in an area around the biblical site of the Sea of Galilee to organize meetings for international pilgrims.
Prophet Joshua said his decision to relocate was not unconnected with the persecution he had faced in the country. “This is the most persecuted ministry in the world. Who are the people persecuting the ministry? My people, Africa”, he said.
The federal government has since reacted to Joshua’s surprise announcement. Speaking on Tuesday, Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed called on Joshua to reconsider his decision adding that it would not be in the interest of the country if he relocates.
“That will be very unfortunate in the sense that if he does move out, it will affect tourism in Nigeria. Pastor Joshua is an important person, he must bear with us. This is his country; if he moves out and goes to South Africa, for example, the revenue will go to South Africa. “It is better that Pastor Joshua sits down with the authorities and resolves whatever problem he has.”
Other prominent Nigerians have also appealed to the prophet to reconsider his decision.
