Late Prophet TB Joshua
OpenLife Nigeria had earlier reported that Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, commonly referred to as T. B Joshua, founder, Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, is dead.
He reportedly died late Saturday and the news filtered out early Sunday, June 6.
But given his mega status as a renowned Prophet as well as a mega church that attracted worshippers from all corners of the earth, OpenLife Nigeria sought to know from some of his closest aides who TB Joshua’s likely successor would be.
Speaking with OpenLife exclusively, his top aide who worked closely with him but instructed not to be quoted said:
“We are right now in the church. Everyone is confused. Nobody expected this sudden death.
“For successor, he did not train anyone to succeed him. I am not aware of any succession plan in this church. There is none of the pastors that have been trained to succeed him. I would have known if any exists.
“But to the best of my knowledge, nobody in this church has been trained to succeed him,” he stated.
Probing further, OpenLife asked if the entire SCOAN empire would waste away just like that, he said “Very likely. That is what is going to happen. His shoes are very large. If there has been anybody that he earmarked to succeed him, we would have long noticed it in the church here.
“The person’s activities, actions and inactions would have indicated the direction of succession. After all, I am an inner member of his caucus.
“For now, the wife has taken charge. There are instructions on what to do and how things would go. In all of this, no service is in the programme. Services have been suspended,” he revealed.
The late TB Joshua, who was said to have died of cardiac arrest, was a Nigerian popular pastor, televangelist and philanthropist.
His megachurch runs the Emmanuel TV television station from Lagos.
During his life time, he ministered to the high and mighty on earth including Presidents of countries, captains of industry, top government functionaries as well as high network individuals in the social, traditional and religious circles.
His church in Ikotun Lagos was a Mecca of sort to millions of people from all angles of the world seeking spiritual solutions to varying challenges.
Confirming his death, the church, in a statement titled “PROPHET TB JOSHUA – JUNE 12th 1963 to JUNE 5th 2021” said:
“Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” – Amos 3:7
On Saturday 5th June 2021, Prophet TB Joshua spoke during the Emmanuel TV Partners Meeting: “Time for everything – time to come here for prayer and time to return home after the service.”
God has taken His servant Prophet TB Joshua home – as it should be by divine will. His last moments on earth were spent in the service of God. This is what he was born for, lived for and died for.
As Prophet TB Joshua says, “The greatest way to use life is to spend it on something that will outlive it”.
Prophet TB Joshua leaves a legacy of service and sacrifice to God’s Kingdom that is living for generations yet unborn.
“The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations and Emmanuel TV Family appreciate your love, prayers and concern at this time and request a time of privacy for the family.
Here are Prophet TB Joshua’s last words: “Watch and pray.”
One life for Christ is all we have; one life for Christ is so dear,” the church stated.
Speaking to OpenLife exclusively on Sunday, one of his top aide who pleaded for anonymity to avoid conflict of information said “ He spoke with me yesterday. We spoke extensively on the church programmes as well as other activities lined up for him.
“There were plans for travel for his usual evangelism. He did not show any sign of ailment. He confides in me so much. His voice was very clear. He even ministered yesterday.
“He was so concerned about the India people. He has been praying for the country and her people to overcome the second variant of the pandemic.
“That was also part of his engagement yesterday,” the aide told OpenLife. Prophet T.B Joshua died just few days to his 58th birthday. His remains are said to have been deposited in Isolo General Hospital mortuary.
Sketches of information indicated that lots of activities had been line up for the celebration even though at low key level.
He was among the privileged pastors in Nigeria to own private jet.
He hailed from Arigidi in Ondo State and was married with two daughters.