By Dare Adejumo
The faithful across the globe stand still in joyful adoration; the resonance of purity as the hallmark of human existence, altruism, love, holiness and humanitarianism vibrated and rejuvenated in the hearts of mankind as the great prophet and humanist and extra-ordinary philanthropist, TB Joshua, was remembered in the third anniversary of his glorious departure from the earth on June 5, 2021.
Dr Kirstan Nematandam, a South African nationalist who flew into Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, to partake in the solemn night ceremony described the all-night praise and worship event as ‘a spiritual high watershed, and great moment in all continents of the world to thank God for the grace of TB Joshua on earth in His ineffable love for mankind and His creation.’
“TB Joshua was a great man of God whose life was Christlike, living the word and practising the word, he was the light shining in darkness, the most humble man you could ever come across who touched the lives of millions, preaching the word with power and with an extra-ordinary philanthropy across the universe,” he said.
Notwithstanding the simultaneous happening of the event in several nations, many still flew into Ikotun-Egbe, SCOAN’S headquarters. International visitors from many African countries, America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe filled the cathedral to the brim.
Significantly before the June 5 event, Emmanuel TV partners of the prophet’s broadcasting channel had carried out stupendous charity works in their respective domains.
The atmosphere was ecclesiastically electrifying as people from diverse languages and all walks of life spoke glowingly of the transformational power of God in their lives through their encounters with TB Joshua
A leading Pastor from Argentina who came to Ikotun Egbe for this event, Robert Acosta, has this to say with great excitement:
“The men of God who impacted lives and transformed generations under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit never die. The Bible says, ‘Their works with them continue.’
“The teachings, the example, the impartation continue to live on in our hearts and in our lives. Prophet T.B. Joshua, his life, example and ministry have been a gift from God to the whole world but in a particular way to my life, my wife and family, and to our church and congregation.
“He was our pastor, our friend, for five years until he passed on to glory, and we continue to live with the legacy he had left us. The impartation we had received from the Holy Spirit through the life of the man of God, continues to bring healing to the sick, continues to raise cripples, perform amazing miracles and deliverances. We want to honour God for the life of the Man of God, that is why we come to Nigeria to exalt God and I believe that just as in the days of Elisha, when he had already departed, there was anointing in his bones, I believe there is still much anointing to continue resurrecting lives and ministries, not by a man that had passed on to glory, but by the Spirit of God that continues to operate.
“We have come to honour God with joyful activities for this great man of God.
He has been for me a father in the Lord, a friend, a Pastor and has been an honour from Heaven to have walked and shared time with him, his teachings, his advice, and his prayers have transformed our lives.
“Even today, in our radio stations, discipleships and meetings, his teachings are still alive… God has done it through the man of God.”
Pastor Sandro Gomes dos Santos, leading the Brazilian group, was full of vivacity and said, “I am here to celebrate the birthday of Prophet T.B. Joshua, a unique man, a unique prophet, a great Man of God and his legacy remains. It is ageless and cannot be forgotten. The good works he did here on earth are wonderful and cannot be forgotten.
“Prophet T.B. Joshua impacted my life not only with his ministry of miracles, signs and wonders but with his love for the word. When he spoke the word it went straight into my heart and changed the way I was and the way I thought. His teaching on offence and forgiveness completely changed my heart. With him, I learnt how to let go of offence and the importance of having a pure heart.
“He exemplified everything he taught, his life was a life of excellence. Prophet T.B. Joshua’s legacy is beyond time and will remain forever. He is a special Man of God, there is no other like him. The opportunity to be here on this anniversary for me is a gift from God.
“I come to honour the life of Prophet T.B. Joshua and his legacy. As the Bible says: He who honours a prophet receives a prophet’s reward. This is an opportunity given by God, not man. God in His infinite grace allowed me to come and showed me that His anointing and power continues here in this ministry through Pastor Evelyn Joshua.
“There is a fresh anointing, something new and extraordinary. The wonders of God continue to work here at SCOAN. God has done great and extraordinary things through Prophet T.B. Joshua and that mantle continues to rest upon Pastor Evelyn Joshua, just as it did with Elisha. I am so grateful to be here to celebrate the life and legacy of Prophet T.B. Joshua.”
Kolawole Samuel from Sokoto said: “We thank God for the life of our father in the Lord, Prophet TB Joshua, and also our mother, Pastor Evelyn Joshua, who has continued to uplift the mantle that our prophet laid down for us. She has not allowed the mantle to drop down and fall away. We thank God for our lives.
“For the past 14 years, I have been part of the ministry and for the grace of God in our prophet and the grace I received through the anointing, I have not stopped coming despite the fact that I come from the far North of Nigeria, Sokoto.
“I can’t stop coming. In fact, the ministry is already part of me. If I have the grace to come every two weeks, I won’t hesitate. But each time God gives me grace, I make sure I come. For the past 14 years, June has been on my schedule.
“Every year, I specifically budget for June to be here for our Prophet’s birthday. After his passing, we are still coming from the moment the church was reopened because of the grace of God in the life of our prophet and our mother in the Lord, Pastor Evelyn Joshua
“Our prophet is a great prophet. He is one prophet I ever agree with. I joined the Emmanuel TV at my home in July 2006. It was a Muslim brother who installed the television at his home that introduced the channel to me. I was not used to following any prophet or pastor until I came across TB Joshua. It was the Muslim brother who informed me that almost everyone was installing Emmanuel TV at home, both Christians and Muslims! It triggered me and asked him to install it for me. when I started watching, I started seeing things I had never seen or heard in my life, especially the teachings of the prophet, the deliverances, the prophecies and the act of giving. The way he treated people inspired me to follow him the most. I came for the first time in August 2012. Since then I have been coming. ‘God has raised my level to another level. I never personally met the prophet until 2014 when I gave my first live testimony. I have always come. God has been so wonderful. God is really with our prophet and those of us following him. It is the Holy Spirit that can do things and not we by ourselves!
“We should keep praying for our mummy for the fire of the Holy Spirit to continue to influence her. It is God that can do it. The work will keep growing. We shall keep praying for her that God should strengthen her in the work of the ministry”.
Mr Segun Olanipekun, one of the coordinators full of excitement, said: “The last three years have been of joyful activities and the ministry has greatly expanded to the glory of God.”
