COVID-19: See All The Notable Nigerian Pastors That Have So Far Decided Not To Reopen Their Churches

The federal government of Nigeria in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, banned physical gathering for religious purposes as a way of curbing the virus, forcing all churches to adapt to online services.

Naija News recalls the first case of the coronavirus infection in Nigeria was recorded in Lagos State on February 28 and religious places of worship were generally shut down in March.

Gradually as the imposed lockdown was reviewed, the government lifted the total ban on physical gathering for religious purposes and allowed physical worship to resume based on stipulated COVID-19 guidelines.

Some state governments particularly, Lagos and Ogun with peculiar cases of the coronavirus pandemic also decided to extend the ban on physical gatherings for religious purposes even after the federal government had lifted the restrictions.

The Lagos State government on 1st of August, announced that worship centres (Churches and Mosques) in the nation’s commercial city, will reopen effective August 7, 2020.

Similarly, the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has tentatively fixed reopening of worship centres (Churches, Mosques) for August 14 amid Coronavirus in Ogun.

However, even after the announcements by the government, some pastors and churches have announced they won’t be reopening for physical gatherings just yet.

Here are those that have decided against returning to physical church gatherings for now and their reasons.

Pastor Tunde Bakare (Citadel Global Community Church)

Pastor Tunde Bakare, the founder of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), formerly known as the Latter Rain Assembly has spoken against the reopening of churches as directed by the Lagos State Government.

Speaking during one of the online Sunday worship, Pastor Bakare kicked against the order.

He said: “I have to appeal to you once again, please keep safe and do your best to stay alive. Do not let anyone, whether religious leader or governmental leader, to drive you like a sheep to the slaughter. If they (the government and the disease control authorities) said that the month of August is going to be the peak of the infection, why should they ask people to rush in (re-open the churches) again?

“Please keep safe and do your best to keep alive by keeping all the necessary rules. We know that by the grace of God this pandemic like the others before it has an expiry date. It shall not see our end. We shall see its end in the mighty name of Jesus.”

Dr. Daniel Olukoya (Mountain of Fire Ministry) – MFM

The Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM) has said that it will not reopen its churches in Lagos and Ogun States despite government directives.

In a statement, the Chairman of the MFM Media Committee, Pastor Oladele Bank-Olemoh, said that the church will not reopen until the September tentative period.

“The leadership of this ministry is aware that the governments of Lagos and Ogun states had announced that churches could resume worship in their physical church buildings as from August 9 and 16, 2020, respectively,” he said.

“However, the leadership of MFM hereby states as follows: MFM will not reopen all her regions, zones, branches and facilities in Lagos and Ogun states for now.

“This period would be utilised to put in place all the necessary COVID-19 preventive and safety protocols as stipulated by the Federal Government, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and state governments.”

Pastor Chris Okotie (Household of God Church) – Christ Embassy

Pastor Chris Okotie, the senior pastor of the Household of God Church, has also declared he won’t be reopening churches for physical worship yet.

The pastor also kicked against wearing face mask in the church.

Speaking in a 28-minute special broadcast sent via WhatsApp to his church members, Pastor Chris Okotie said wearing a face mask or face shield in church goes against the basic tenets of the Christian faith.

Citing various Bible references, Okotie said wearing a mask or a face shield to church is separation from God because it is like reintroducing the veil which was torn the moment Jesus died on the cross.

“When a man is standing before God in church wearing a shield or mask, he is denying the finished work of the cross,” he said.

“Before we offer our sacrifices and lift up holy hands before God, we must make sure that everything is decent and in order.

“We must only follow the protocols outlined in the Bible, not any directive that violates the basic tenets of our faith.”

Pastor Sam Adeyemi (Daystar Christian Centre)

Pastor Sam Adeyemi and his wife, Nike Adeyemi, have told their Church members to observe their services from home, noting that the Church will only resume physical services when the environment is safe.

The Senior Pastors of the Daystar Christian Centre noted this is a statement released on Friday, August 7.

According to the husband and wife who co-shepherd the same ministry, members of their church will not resume physical congregational service on Sunday, August 9, 2020, as expected by many.

Pastor Adeyemi and his wife in the statement titled, ‘Update On Resumption Of Physical Services’ said, “We are aware of the Lagos State Government’s announcement that churches can resume physical services from 9th August 2020. We thank God for the progress made so far by the federal and state governments, the NCDC and our frontline health workers. However, the leadership of Daystar Christian Centre has resolved NOT to open her worship centres for physical gathering on the immediate.”

The statement added, “Daystar Christian Centre will continue to hold her services online exclusively pending further review. We look forward to the resumption of physical services in a safe environment. We urge our members and friends to join us on all our online platforms for life-transforming services.”

Prophet TB Joshua (Synagogue Church of All Nations) – SCOAN

Prophet TB Joshua, founder of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) has declared that he is waiting for instructions from God before re-opening his church for physical worship.

While commending the decision of the Lagos State government to re-open places of worship for physical gatherings, Prophet Joshua, however, said until he gets instruction from God, he won’t be reopening his church.

Speaking via SCOAN’s Emmanuel TV, the preacher said: “Good morning and win today! Following the announcement that church services will resume in Lagos on August 9th, 2020 – that is, this coming Sunday – I wish to commend the authorities for their efforts so far.

“However, having heard from the authorities, we are now waiting to hear from God.

“Please be assured that as soon as we hear from God, we will inform you when our services will resume. Emmanuel – God is with us.”