Nigerian actor and senior pastor Jimmy Odukoya has delivered a sharp retort to critics who question the lifestyles and family-run leadership of pastors of large, successful churches. In a candid address, he challenged skeptics to understand the immense struggle behind building a ministry and even dared them to "start your own church" if they find the path so straightforward.
Odukoya, who leads the Fountain of Life Church in Lagos—founded by his late parents, Pastors Taiwo and Bimbo Odukoya—spoke out against what he perceives as selective and unfair criticism. He argued that public scrutiny of pastors' wealth and influence only emerges after years of unseen hardship and sacrifice.
"Listen, it is very easy to talk about pastors who have mega churches and big, big crowds. It is easy to talk about them when they are at that level," Odukoya stated. "Where were you when they had no one?... Where were you when the pastor had no money and he was using his salary to rent a hall? No one remembers those times, but now they want to get mad because the pastor is driving a nice car."**
A Defense of Family Legacy in Ministry
The pastor also directly addressed a common critique in Nigerian Pentecostalism: the practice of passing church leadership to biological children. He dismissed the notion that this represents an easy "family business," instead framing it as the continuation of a hard-earned legacy.
"All the big-time pastors, you too start your church and make it big if it's easy. Go and do it," he challenged. "They just do it, it's just family business. They just pass it to their children. You too start your church and pass it to your children if it is easy."**
This defense touches on a complex debate about spiritual lineage, nepotism, and merit within modern religious institutions, a topic that frequently sparks discussion among congregants and observers alike.
Divided Public Reaction
Odukoya's remarks, captured in a video circulating online, have ignited a polarized response. Supporters agree with his stance, arguing that critics underestimate the immense personal and financial investment required to build a ministry from scratch.
However, critics counter that his argument sidesteps core ethical questions. Some question the source of the lavish wealth, asking "whose money did pastor use to buy the cars." Others argue that engaging with critics from the pulpit detracts from the core message of the gospel, with one commenter advising, "just preach the gospel of Christ and dismiss the church."
The controversy highlights an ongoing, global tension within modern evangelical Christianity, where the visible success of "mega-churches" and the lifestyles of their leaders are perpetually scrutinized against teachings of modesty and the perceived commercialization of faith. Odukoya's fiery rebuttal ensures this debate will continue to simmer in Nigeria's vibrant religious landscape.
*Source: Gistlover.com.*
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