The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned a viral testimony of a Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries member who claimed “an angel” provided answers to her during an examination.
In the undated video, the congregant claimed during her promotional examination, an old man appeared to her and gave her answers to some questions.
“Brethren, nobody knew this question. So, all I did was to raise the question paper and declare to it: ‘I am a Chosen! I am a chosen!! I am a chosen!!! This question, who are you? Where is the God of my pastor power?’” she asked.
“Then, suddenly, an old man appeared by my right-hand side in white apparel. He told me, ‘My daughter, begin to write.’ And I began to write.”
According to Punch, Stephen Adegbite, CAN chairman in Lagos, described the testimony as “fabrications”.
Adegbite also criticised the church for allowing such testimonies while emphasising the importance of verifying claims.
He stressed that not all testimonies are suitable for public consumption and urged churches to scrutinise members’ stories before allowing them to testify.
Adegbite said CAN plans to meet on September 28 to address the concerns.
“She is entitled to her opinion as she is the owner of her mouth. But for anyone to say such, we must verify that. We must see the people in the hall, and they must testify against her that that was never the situation,” he said.
“But looking at it ordinarily, that is a foolish talk, and nobody should accept that. There are testimonies you don’t allow to be given in the church. And that is why before people give their testimonies, you should invite them and know what they want to talk about.
“If it is something that is good for public consumption, you should allow it to go. But if you know that the story they are telling can only be told to monkeys, you should ask the person to go and face the monkeys and say that, not in the church. So, that type of testimony should be served to the monkeys and not to human beings.”
Efforts by TheCable Lifestyle to get Daniel Okon, CAN president, to comment on the matter have proven abortive.
There has been growing skepticism surrounding testimonies from the church. Last week, social media users shared old clips of congregants recounting their miraculous experiences.
In one video, an elderly woman claimed she was attacked by four armed robbers but miraculously gained control of their guns.
Similarly, a man testified that he survived a kidnapping, machete assaults, and gunshots “without sustaining any injuries.”
Another man alleged that a lion rescued him from kidnappers by lifting him into the air and guiding him to safety.
Dee One, the comedian, earlier warned critics not to incur the wrath of Lazarus Muoka, the church’s general overseer.
IK Ogbonna, the actor, also called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to tackle the issue of “fake miracles” in churches.
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