According to reliable sources, South Africans are passionate about the Synagogue Church, always coming there on pilgrimage.
There is a
tour package which cost an
average of 10,000 Rands each for one week.
The collapsed building was meant for Southern African groups like worshipers from Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique,
Botswana and the
Republic of South Africa. Worshipers from
Malaysia,
Taiwan, Singapore, Japan also use the collapsed building but
investigation revealed that South Africans were more because Pastor
Joshua
decided to give more opportunities for the South Africans who
have remained insistent and shown solidarity to SCOAN. No fewer than 84
South Africans were killed in the tragedy.
Healing of sicknesses and
diseases also bring nationals from other countries to Synagogue – all
for miracles. Holy water, otherwise called anointing water, is sold to
pilgrims between N5000 and N10,000 per bottle.
Even thousands of
anointing water bottles are exported to some West African countries.
Worshipers from foreign nations are encouraged to stay until after seven
days. They are always screened and registered by
the church authorities.
Those
with financial problems believe that use of the anointing oil restore
their finances. Meanwhile, it was gathered that the ruling African
National Congress, ANC, Youth Wing had warned Pastor T.B. Joshua not to
come to South Africa.
He should not enter the country until they know
what happened to their compatriots in Nigeria.
According
to Bandile Masuku of ANC Youth League, “we will make sure that Pastor
T.B. Joshua is not issued with a South African visa.”
The influx of foreign nationals into the church could be explained by the adage that a Prophet is not acknowledged or recognised in his own country.
But with this tragedy, many people are becoming scared of the Synagogue church and more knowledgeable about what goes on there.
Strangely, however, several South Africans, we reliably learnt, are still anxious to return to Nigeria to patronize the church because of their believed spiritual prowess of Pastor T.B. Joshua.
He is feared and highly respected by politicians, including prime ministers, presidents and ministers.
Even
sports men come to the Synagogue not only for healing when injured but
also for for success in their outings. Prominent athletes and
footballers have gone there to seek one form of help or another. May
the souls of those who perished rest in perfect peace and may God give the living a discerning spirit.
“Dear
friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see
whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out
into the world.” – 1 John 4:1.
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