The wife of the late Nigerian megachurch leader and televangelist, Prophet TB Joshua, Pastor Evelyn Joshua, has urged members of his church to remain faithful and focused on Jesus Christ amid controversy sparked by a BBC documentary exposing alleged abuse and torture by the late prophet.
Pastor Evelyn Joshua, who assumed leadership of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) after her husband’s death in June 2021, addressed the congregation on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at the church’s headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.
This marked her first public address to the church since the release of the BBC Africa Eye documentary titled “Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua.” The documentary featured former disciples accusing the late prophet of misconduct, including rape, physical abuse, and coercion for abortions.
Though Pastor Evelyn Joshua did not directly reference the documentary or the allegations, she expressed gratitude to the church members for their love, faith, steadfastness, and commitment during the “eventful week”. She reminded them of the church’s core beliefs, such as faith in the Holy Spirit, the word of God, the salvation of Jesus Christ, and the judgment day.
Encouraging the congregation to evaluate all things in the light of God’s word, she emphasized the importance of love, quoting 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which says that love is not irritable or resentful, and does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Pastor Evelyn Joshua urged members not to lose focus and to keep Jesus Christ as their central focus and guide, emphasizing that Jesus stood for truth and love, and that the church was a house of joy, which was their conquering power.
She then quoted the alleged last words of her late husband: “Watch and pray, and you will see the glory of God.” She blessed the congregation and thanked them for their support.
Pastor Evelyn Joshua, who married TB Joshua in 1990 and had three daughters with him, was appointed as the new leader of SCOAN in September 2021, after a court order made her a member of the church’s board of trustees.
She faced some opposition from some factions within the church, who questioned her legitimacy and transparency. However, she has since asserted her authority and vision for the church, which has millions of followers around the world.
TB Joshua, who died at the age of 57, was one of the most influential and controversial religious figures in Africa. He claimed to have the power to heal various diseases, including HIV/AIDS and cancer, and to prophesy about world events.
He attracted thousands of pilgrims to his church in Lagos, where he performed his “miracles” and delivered his sermons. He also had a huge online presence, with more than six million followers on Facebook and more than one million subscribers on YouTube.
He was praised by some as a man of God and a philanthropist, but he was also criticized by others as a fraud and a cult leader. He faced several lawsuits and investigations over his practices and claims, and he was also accused of being involved in politics and corruption.
The BBC documentary has reignited the debate over his legacy and the future of his church, as well as the wider issues of accountability and regulation in the Nigerian and African religious landscape.