by Akegh Doowuese
This is first Sunday since social media was jolted by allegations by Ese Walter, a former member of the Common Wealth Of Zion Assembly (COZA), detailing her relationship with the church pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo.
The church was half-full by 8:30am with regular church members and witnesses throng in in their multitudes supposedly expecting Pastor Fatoyinbo to address the scandal and put the controversy to rest once and for all. The ushers appear super-excited this morning welcoming worshipers with enthusiasm. The mood is that of excitement and expectation. Nothing in the comportment of the church workforce to indicate there’s something wrong but the large number of attendees in church today underscored the expectant mood.
Just like many other new generation churches it was not a surprise to hear the choir sings wonderfully. Song after song their excitement envelopes the congregation. Soon Pastor Mrs. Modele Fatoyinbo, the church pastor’s wife, comes onstage (beautifully adorned in a cream suit) accompanied by an ecstatic reaction from members. She offers only one prayer point saying, “What God meant for evil, God has turned it for good.”
Shortly after her grand entrance, the choir ushers the man in the eye of the storm, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo (looking dashing as usual) to the podium. He is greeted by excited, energetic shouts, whistles and clap of hands from the congregation. He sings, prays and start preaching in earnest. His sermon for the day was taken from Gen 50:20, 1Cor. 16:8-9, Isaiah 55:8-9.
[READ: Ishola Alolanle Fatai: My COZA experience (Confessions of a Nigerian Atheist)]
The core of the message today is “The devil meant for evil but God turned it around for good.” In between the message, he says God has brought him this far “I’m humble but I can’t say I’m totally humble but I remain accessible.”
According to him: “I know you have read things about me on the social media, you just can’t imagine how many people have called me. But i can assure you that people have advised me not to talk, but ignore it. But you can read my lips we are going to release a robust reply to all the allegations very soon.”
At the close of his sermon, he says he’s sure most church members have read the stories on social media but he has received calls from various people who have advised him not to talk about it. “I will come up with a robust reply,” he said.
For those who were anxious to know his wife’s reaction to the scandal, Pastor Fatoyinbo addressed it saying, “I can assure you my wife and I love each other and at the right time we will respond.”
The church responds to the pastor’s statement with a long-drawn ovation.
As he walks off the podium the church comes even more alive, the choir singing and the church dancing tirelessly for over 20 minutes.
We guess we won’t be getting the answers we seek… at least not just yet.
No matter the number of people that say a lie, it won’t change to the truth. A hundred more ladies can queue behind Ese Walters and try to seek cheap popularity. We must continue to pray for men of God even in times like these.
Man of God, you ve a question to answer. Two women cannot lie against you simultaneously. If it is a lie say so. If it is true, confess your sin contritely. God is ever merciful, He will forgive you.