By Ayodele Oni
It is difficult to say what pushed the umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, to finally acknowledge and recognise the late T.B. Joshua as a worthy Christian and/or one of their own.
While alive, they kept him at arms length. Neither he, nor his Church was their member. In fact, he was not even a member of the Association of Pentecostal Churches of Nigeria.
Many of them were not comfortable with his “famed miracles” and predictions. They wondered where his powers came from. Who mentored him, they asked.
But in death, CAN has not only acknowledged his contributions to the Body of Christ, in the areas of evangelism, growth of the Church, and philanthropy, it says his death represent a great loss to Christianity.
CAN stated this in a condolence letter to his family and members of the Synagogue Church of All Nations over his sudden death.
The popular Televangelist shocked the world when he suddenly died in the early hours of Sunday, June 6, 2021, at the age of 57, a week short of his 58th birthday on June 12.
He was presiding over a Church programme when he suddenly felt uncomfortable. He excused himself, walked down to his house, and was found in a troubling situation about an hour later. He died on the way to the hospital.
In the condolence letter, signed by CAN’s President, Dr Samson Ayokunle, the Association described the deceased as a charismatic evangelist who devoted his life to the propagation of the Gospel.
The letter, which was addressed to his wife, reads:
“The news of the demise of your darling husband, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, who was until his transition, at the age of Fifty-Seven (57), the Leader and Founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) came to us amidst great shock and sorrow.
“We are, particularly, sad because the deceased showed no trace of illness prior to his demise after an Evening Church Service on Saturday 5th June, 2021.
“We commiserate with you, the children and entire members of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) on this irreparable loss.
“Prophet T.B Joshua was one of the foremost Nigerian charismatic Pastors, televangelist, and philanthropist who devoted his entire lifetime to the propagation of the Gospel and ministering to the needs of the downtrodden.
“He was renowned for his philosophical simplicity and humility. His death is not only a loss to the family and the Church, but to Nigeria and the world at large.
“There are indeed no exact words of comfort at a moment like this, but we humbly enjoin you to take solace in the Will of the Almighty God, who works in us both to do and work according to his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).
“We know that Our Lord Jesus Christ in whom there is all sufficiency, and whom you have been serving wholeheartedly will make all grace abound unto you at this trying moment (2 Corinthians 9:8).
“On behalf of all members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), we commiserate with you, and the entire family on this loss. It is our prayer that the Almighty God grant Prophet T.B Joshua an eternal rest in his creator, and may God’s perpetual light continue to shine on his path (Amen).”
The cause of his death has not been made public. But speculations are that it was either due to exhaustion or cardiac arrest.
No date has been fixed for his funeral. Nor, has the place of his interment been decided – the premises of his Church in Lagos, or his Community in his Akoko Ondo. The Oba of his Community wants his body brought back home.
