Authorities of Christ Embassy
International have denied reports of break-up between the Senior Pastor of the
church, Chris Oyakhilome, and his wife, Anita.
The church described online media
reports that the marriage had crashed as “make-up stories.”
In a post on a Facebook account
opened by Anita’s supporters, ‘Where is Rev. Anita Oyakhilome?’ the senior
pastor was quoted as saying there was an ongoing domestic issue with Anita.
The recipient of a call made to the
official contact line of the church, who identified herself simply as Pastor
Mercy, said the report was false.
She said, “It is not true; it is a
rumour. All these things are make-up stories.”
A post on the Facebook page purported
to be the summary of Pastor Chris’ speech with United Kingdom-based pastors and
deacons of Christ Embassy at the Bermondsey branch of the church on May 16,
2014, stated that, “I am here for your concerns about the ongoing domestic
issue with my wife and I know it affects you directly, being the ones under her
leadership.”
He allegedly asked the pastors not
disposed to the developments in the church to quit. According to report quoting
him, “You don’t join a woman to fight her husband.”
“Bitterness is prolonged and
accumulated anger. My wife is always angry and bitter,” he was quoted as
saying.
Oyakhilome also allegedly said, “Some
pastors’ wives think when they marry a pastor, they are equal to the pastor. My
wife thinks so. As a matter of fact, Rev. Tom was her pastor before I married
her and Rev. Ray and Evang. Owase were her leaders long before I married her.
How come she thinks she’s senior to them now?
“I already started Christ Embassy
before I married her. I didn’t marry her and said we should start Christ
Embassy. I was already ‘pastoring.’ I already set my sail and knew my direction
before I married her. I only said ‘come and help me.’
“Be careful of the friends you keep.
My wife keeps friends who bring out the worst in her and help her see the worst
in people, instead of keeping friends that will help her vision, especially as
the wife of a global pastor like me.”
Another member of the church
dismissed the reports as speculations. She said it could only be confirmed by an
official press release by the leadership of the church.
“There are issues, yes, but the
Facebook post is an absolute fallacy,” the member, who pleaded anonymity, said.
Source: Punch
