This piece delves into a highly sensitive topic that many tend to avoid—examining the reasons, individuals involved, locations, timelines, content, and methods related to accountability within a church context.
Throughout the past decade, I have observed the rise of new forms of Pentecostalism, characterized by modern, charismatic ‘Prophets’ who helm Pentecostal ministries.
I will express my thoughts candidly without sugarcoating.
The emergence of extravagant prophets has become particularly notable across various regions in Africa, especially in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, and Malawi.
These self-proclaimed “men of God” have amassed substantial followings, established multimillion-dollar enterprises, and lead lifestyles that rival those of Hollywood celebrities.
However, beneath the dazzling facade lies a troubling reality: the exploitation of vulnerable church attendees, staged miracles, and the manipulation of faith for profit.
This article investigates the deceitful tactics utilized by these prophets, illuminating how they mislead their followers, solicit tithes, orchestrate fake miracles, and indulge extravagantly while their congregants live in poverty.
A prevalent tactic employed by these ostentatious prophets to attract and retain followers is the display of “miracles.”
These alleged miracles commonly involve healings, financial breakthroughs, and even supposed resurrections.
Nevertheless, many of these incidents are fabricated, designed to create an illusion of divine power and keep congregants coming back for more.
For example, Prophet Bushiri from Malawi, famously known as “Major 1,” has faced accusations of faking miracles, including staged healings and resurrections.
In a particularly infamous incident, a man who was purportedly “brought back to life” during one of Bushiri’s services later disclosed that he was compensated to act as a deceased individual.
Similarly, Pastor Alph Lukau of Alleluia Ministries in South Africa drew heavy criticism after a video emerged showing him allegedly resurrecting a man. Further inquiries revealed that the “deceased” was very much alive and a participant in a well-planned spectacle.
These contrived miracles mislead church members while taking advantage of their longing for hope and healing.
Many followers struggle with poverty, illness, or various crises and turn to these prophets in search of answers.
Instead, they encounter hollow assurances and find themselves pressured into donating more money, hoping for a miracle.
This also includes instances where congregants pay for individualized consultations with the “man of God.”
Another common trait of flashy prophets is their relentless demand for tithes and offerings.
They often employ manipulative strategies to convince attendees that their financial contributions function as seeds that will yield financial blessings.
This narrative resonates powerfully in impoverished communities where many seek ways to escape their economic struggles.
One of Africa’s richest clergymen, Bishop David Oyedepo of Nigeria’s Living Faith Church, also known as Winners’ Chapel, is a prominent proponent of the “prosperity gospel.”
Oyedepo has created a multimillion-dollar business through tithes and offerings, acquiring private jets, luxury cars, and substantial real estate, while many of his followers struggle to survive financially.
In a similar vein, Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa of Zimbabwe’s United Family International Church (UFIC) has faced backlash for his lavish lifestyle, featuring luxury vehicles, designer watches, and a multimillion-dollar residence.
At one point, Makandiwa even flew by helicopter from South Africa to Zimbabwe just for the main Sunday service in Harare.
He continually reassures his followers that supporting the church is essential for achieving financial breakthroughs, yet countless devotees remain trapped in poverty.
The push for financial contributions goes beyond mere profits; it also revolves around control.
By convincing followers that their donations are vital for receiving blessings, these prophets secure an ongoing revenue stream while exerting influence over their congregants’ lives.
In 2015, during a church service, Makandiwa claimed to have performed an ‘instant miracle’ by praying for a woman whose legs were of different lengths, asserting that they were made equal after the prayer.
Here is a link to that alleged miracle: Watch here.
The most glaring contradiction among these flamboyant prophets is the wide gulf between their riches and the poverty experienced by their followers.
While many followers struggle to meet their most basic needs, these prophets revel in luxury, openly showcasing their wealth through social media and public appearances.
Prophet Passion Java, a Zimbabwean preacher living in the United States, is infamous for his extravagant lifestyle, which includes expensive cars, designer clothing, and frequent trips to exotic destinations.
Known as the “Gaffa,” Java regularly posts videos flaunting his wealth, even as numerous followers face severe financial hardships.
Prophet Uebert Angel, founder of Spirit Embassy Church, is renowned for his collection of high-end vehicles.
Angel, who labels himself as a “billionaire prophet,” has been criticized for using his wealth to draw in followers.
Additionally, he is allegedly involved in the ‘Gold Mafia’ from Zimbabwe, a group implicated in corrupt activities related to the country’s mineral resources.
The hypocrisy of these prophets is underscored by their personal lives. Many have been embroiled in scandals linked to extramarital relationships, associations with “slay queens,” and other moral failings.
In particular, Angel’s penchant for beautiful women and luxurious lifestyles has not gone unnoticed.
A recent investigative article I wrote was suppressed by a major Zimbabwean newspaper, labeled as “a threat” to Angel’s reputation while he served as Zimbabwe’s Presidential Envoy and Ambassador At Large to Europe and the Americas.
The article contained substantial evidence of his alleged interactions with women in Dubai, with five of them providing proof of having been exploited.
After being notified by the media organization, these women faced intimidation from Angel’s associates. Similarly, Prophet Walter Magaya from Zimbabwe’s PHD Ministries has faced allegations of sexual misconduct, including claims of fathering children out of wedlock.
At the heart of the flamboyant prophet phenomenon lies the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
Many churchgoers are poor, uneducated, and desperate for hope.
They flock to these prophets in hopes of miracles, financial relief, and divine intervention.
Instead of finding genuine solutions to their dilemmas, they are manipulated into donating their hard-earned money to maintain the extravagant lifestyles of these self-proclaimed men of God.
An example is Apostle Kakande from Uganda, the founder of Kakande Ministries, who epitomizes this type of exploitation.
Kakande claims to possess miraculous healing abilities and offers remedies for financial challenges while imposing steep fees for his services.
Many followers, already struggling financially, are forced to borrow money or sell their possessions to afford his “miracles.”
The exploitation of vulnerable congregants is not only a financial issue; it is also a spiritual crisis.
By manipulating the faith of their followers, these prophets distort the true essence of Christianity, which is rooted in love, compassion, and service to others.
Rather than helping their congregants, they exploit them as a means to enrich themselves and maintain their power.
The Need for Accountability and Reform
The rise of flamboyant prophets highlights the urgent necessity for increased accountability and reform within the church.
While not every pastor or prophet engages in exploitation, the actions of a select few have tarnished the church’s reputation and obstructed its mission.
It is essential for church leaders to prioritize the needs of their congregants over personal interests and to allocate resources to assist the disadvantaged.
In conclusion, the phenomenon of flamboyant prophets serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the manipulation of faith.
These prophets have built their empires at the expense of vulnerable individuals, employing deceit, manipulation, and hypocrisy to maintain their wealth and influence.
It is time for the church to take a firm stance against such practices and ensure that the true message of Christianity prevails over the pursuit of personal gain.
Only then can the church fulfill its mission of delivering hope, healing, and justice to those most in need.
*This article is authored by Zvakwana Nomore Sweto, an accomplished journalist and digital marketing professional with expertise in news reporting, feature writing, and content creation. He is also a published author with four books to his name and is passionate about impactful storytelling. The opinions expressed by Zvakwana Nomore Sweto do not necessarily reflect those of The Bulrushes.
