- T.B. Joshua
Infobox Person
name = T.B. Joshua
caption =
birthname = [Temitope Balogun]
birth_date = birth date and age|1963|6|12
birth_place = Arigidi, Ondo State,Nigeria
occupation =Pastor Humanitarian Author
residence = Ikotun-Egbe,Lagos
nationality = flagcountry|Nigeria
spouse = Evelyn Joshua
website = [http://www.scoan.org/ The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations] , [http://www.emmanuel.tv/ Emmanuel TV]
footnotes =T.B. Joshua "(Temitope Balogun Joshua)" born June 12, 1963 in Arigidi, Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria, is a Nigerian
pastor and founder of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations "(The SCOAN)" inLagos ,Nigeria . He is also the founder of Emmanuel TV, aChristian television station broadcasting across Africa, Europe and America and on the web viaStreaming Faith [cite web|url=http://www.streamingfaith.com/directory/network.aspx?nsn=SCOAN|title= TB Joshua on Streaming Faith] . T.B. Joshua and his wife, Evelyn, have 4 children.Early life
From the beginning of his life, controversies have surrounded T.B. Joshua. The pregnancy period of his mother was by no means ordinary, as he allegedly remained in her womb for 15 months before he was born. Significantly, almost a hundred years prior to his birth, it had been prophesied that a young man would emerge from the poor Oosin quarters in Ondo State, Nigeria "(where T.B. Joshua was later born)" and that God would use him mightily. Another remarkable event occurred when he was just days old, as a large boulder crashed through the roof of his house, missing him by mere inches. This incident led to his mother naming him, ‘Temitope’, meaning, ‘What God has done for me is worthy of thanks’.cite web
title = Biography
work = TB Joshua
publisher = The SCOAN Website
date =
url = http://www.scoan.com/aboutprophet.htm]Education
He attended St. Stephen’s Anglican Primary School [cite web|url=http://www.doveministries.com/aus/frame.htm?URL=http://www.doveministries.com/aus/tb-bill.htm|title= Critique on TB Joshua by Bill Subritsky] , Imo, Agbaluku, Arigidi, Ikare-Akoko from 1971 to 1977 – but was unable to complete his secondary school education. In school, he was known as ‘small pastor’ because of his love for
the Bible and ability to predict things to come in his community.Calling To Ministry
In 1987, T.B. Joshua visited a ‘prayer mountain’ to seek the face of God. There, he fasted and prayed for 40 days and 40 nights. He wrote that in a heavenly vision, he had received divine anointing and a covenant from God to start his ministry. In his own words, he said concerning the life-changing experience:
"“… I saw a hand that pointed a Bible to my heart. The Bible entered my heart and my former heart seemed to immerse with the Bible immediately… I heard a voice saying, ‘I am your God. I am giving you a divine commission to go and carry out the work of the Heavenly Father… I would show you the wonderful ways I would reveal myself through you in teaching, preaching, miracles, signs and wonders for the salvation of souls…’ ”" cite web
title = Life After LIfe
work = TB Joshua
publisher = The SCOAN Website
date =
url = http://www.scoan.com/aboutprophet.htm]The SCOAN
Upon returning from the mountain, he started a church with just a handful of members, naming it, ‘The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations’ – a name he says God divinely revealed to him. Since then, the church has grown far beyond the shores of Nigeria. 10,000+ members attend the weekly Sunday service as well as visitors from the four corners of the world who are accommodated in the church facilities [cite web|url=http://www.vergadering.nu/mijnlagosreis/index-eng.html|title= Deliverance in Jesus' Name, Holland] [cite web|url=http://revivalinpower.com/archive/thekenyacrusade.html|title= My Visit To Nigeria, USA] [cite web|url=http://bennier.tripod.com/nigeria/report.htm|title= Report on TB Joshua, South Africa] .
From the very first service held in 1987 to the present day, the church is contended because of reports about miraculous signs and wonders that occur every week. Numerous videos have been produced which are to document the healing of incurable sicknesses such as
HIV /AIDS [cite news| title = The Prophet| url = http://www.mnet.co.za/Mnet/Shows/carteblanche/story.asp?Id=1561 | work = Carte Blanche| date = 2000-09-03] ,cancer andparalysis , showing people’s conditions before, during and after prayer from T.B. Joshua [cite news| first = Azuka| last = Onwuka| title = Era Of Religious Marketing| url = http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/09/07/20020907cam01.html | work = This Day| date = 2004-11-16|] .The church currently has branches in Ghana [cite news| first = Vance| last = Azu| title = HIV Patient Gets Divine Healing| url = http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/gossip/artikel.php?ID=14803 | work = The Tabloids|] , United Kingdom, Austria and Greece.
Numerous evangelists in training from around the world – UK, USA, South Africa, Ghana, Austria, Greece, Indonesia, France, South Korea, Mexico, Bulgaria, Albania, Cameroon, Botswana, Liberia, Senegal, Martinique, Jamaica, etc. are mentored by T.B. Joshua in Lagos, Nigeria at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations headquarters.
Healing
Instantaneous baby deliveries [cite news| first = Jerrell| last = Miller| title = The Moment Of Truth| url = http://www.theremnant.com/news.html | work = The Remnant| date = 2004-06-09|] , healing of terrible cancerous sores and raising from the dead [cite news| first = Neels Jackson| last = Beeld| title = Back From The Dead| url = http://www.news24.com/News24/Archive/0,,2-1659_1190553,00.html | work = News24 | date = 2002-05-27|] are among the reported miraculous activities taking place at The SCOAN. Recently, it was reported that a man mentally ill for 14 years was restored to sanity and reunited with his family at The SCOAN [cite news| first = Ernest| last = Omoarelojie| title = Reconciled| url = http://thenewsng.com/article/1140?version=print | work = The News| date = 2008-09-15|] .
Many who have come to the church claiming to be possessed by evil spirits are said to be delivered following prayer from TB Joshua [cite news| title = Confession Of A Mermaid| url = http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2008/apr/20/national-20-04-2008-003.htm | work = The Sun News | date = 2008-04-20|] .
Prophecies
Prophet T.B. Joshua has prophesied numerous events of international importance [cite news| first = Muyinga| last = Ziba| title = Tornado That Killed People In United States Predicted By Prophet Joshua| url = http://www.groundreport.com/Lifestyle/Tornado-that-killed-people-in-United-States-predic| work = Ground Report| date = 2008-02-11] [cite news| first = Kola| last = Jimoh| title = 2002 Bomb Blast Prophet T.B. Joshua Marks Prophecy Anniversary | url = http://66.232.102.226/national/pulp/article02/080127| work = National Mirror| date = 2008-01-27] . These include:
*The disastrous
cyclone inMyanmar , " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_07.htm Prophecy] , [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/05/07/myanmar.aidcyclone/index.html News Report] ."
*The miraculous rescue ofIngrid Betancourt from the Colombian jungle, " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_13.htm Prophecy] , [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7487989.stm News Report] ."
*The death of Zambian PresidentLevy Mwanawasa , " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_17.htm Prophecy] , [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7570285.stm News Report] ."
*The2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak , " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_06.htm Prophecy] , [http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/02/08/tornadoes/?iref=mpstoryview News Report] ."
*The resignation of PresidentPervez Musharraf , " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_16.htm Prophecy] , [http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-08-18-musharraf-pakistan_N.htm News Report] ."
*The tragicfire atUniversal Studios , " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_10.htm Prophecy] , [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/06/01/studio.fire/ News Report] ."
*The attemptedbombing of formerPakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif , " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_03.htm Prophecy] , [http://www.dawn.com/2008/01/24/rss.htm News Report] ."
*The sudden passing of American televisionjournalist Tim Russert , " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_12.htm Prophecy] , [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7567451.stm News Report] ."
*TheKenya plane crash that claimed the lives of Roads MinisterKipkalya Kones and Assistant Home Affairs MinisterLorna Laboso , " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_11.htm Prophecy] , [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25079785/ News Report] ."
*The surprising passing of Americanmovie star Heath Ledger , " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_02.htm Prophecy] , [http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/22/heath.ledger.dead/index.html News Report] ."
*The horrificroad accident that killed 46Nigerian soldiers , " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_08.htm Prophecy] , [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7414178.stm News Report] ."
*Thevictory ofGhana overNigeria in the2008 Africa Cup of Nations , " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_05.htm Prophecy] , [http://ballhype.com/story/ghana_vs_nigeria_match_report_african_cup_of_nations/ News Report] ."
*The unexpected death of American actor andcomedian Bernie Mac , " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_15.htm Prophecy] , [http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/09/obit.bernie.mac.ap/ News Report] ."
*The crash landing ofBritish Airways Flight 38 atHeathrow Airport , " [http://www.scoan.org/prophecy_01.htm Prophecy] , [http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article700633.ece News Report] ."TB Joshua also prophesies regularly into the lives of individuals who attend his church services. [cite news| first = Jossy| last = Idam| title = Gang Raped, Impregnated By Hoodlums| url = http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2008/mar/30/national-30-03-2008-004.htm | work = The Sun News| date = 2008-03-30|]
Notable Visitors
The
Zulu King ,Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu [cite news| first = Justina| last = Okpanku| title = Tourism In Nigeria Needs To Be Prioritised - Zulu King| url = http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2003/11/21/20031121tou01.html | work = This Day | date = 2004-01-16|] "(whose daughter was allegedly healed of epilepsy at the church [cite news| first = Jerrell| last = Miller| title = Healed By The Power Of Jesus At The Synagogue| url = http://www.theremnant.com/11-07-03.html | work = The Remnant| date = 2003-07-11|] )", PresidentOmar Bongo of Gabon [cite news| first = Chris| last = Ajaero| title = T.B. Joshua Hosts Bongo| url = http://www.newswatchngr.com/editorial/allaccess/nigeria/10121212811.htm | work = Newswatch| date = 2008-01-21|] [cite news| first = Oluwaseyi| last = Babarinde| title = Why Omar Bongo Visited Synagogue| url = http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/ibru_center/article08/indexn3_html?pdate=200108&ptitle=Why%20Omar%20Bongo%20Visited%20Synagogue&cpdate=220108 | work = The Guardian | date = 2008-01-20|] , Former PresidentFrederick Chiluba of Zambia [cite news| first = Barnaby| last = Phillips| title = Chilbua Worships In Contraversial Church| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1020196.stm | work = BBC| date = 2000-11-12|] and former Vice President of Ghana and current presidential candidate of the NDC, ProfessorJohn Evans Atta Mills [cite news| title = Mills Storms Lagos Church| url = http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=139870 | work = Daily Guide| date = 2008-02-26|] are among the many notable visitors who have visited The SCOAN in Lagos.South African Rugby star
Jaco Van Der Westhuyzen [cite news| first = Xan| last = Rice| title = Triumph And Despair| url = http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1140742,00.html| work = The Observer| date = 2004-02-08] is also said to have received healing through prayer from T.B. Joshua [cite web|url=http://www.tigers.co.uk/29_2118.php|title= Jaco Van Der Westhuizen healed] .Charity Works
‘Another Ministry’ is the humanitarian arm of The SCOAN, with projects catering for the needs of
widows [cite news| first = Ernest| last = Omoarelojie| title = Offering Hope| url = http://thenewsng.com/article/44 | work = The News| date = 2008-02-25] [cite news| first = Jossy| last = Idam| title = Boom In Babies Trade| url = http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2008/may/25/national-25-05-2008-002.htm | work = The Sun News| date = 2008-05-25|] ,dwarves [cite news| first = Jossy| last = Idam| title = T.B Joshua Adopts 60 Dwarfs| url = http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/living/2007/sept/29/living-29-09-2007-002.htm| work = The Sun News| date = 2007-09-29|] , elderly,physically challenged [cite news| title = TB Joshua Doles Out N12m To Disabled Athletes| url = http://www.nationalmirroronline.com/news/article12/080720 | work = National Mirror|] [cite news| first = Bilikis| last = Balogun| title = Synagogue Church Empowers The Disabled| url = http://www.tribune.com.ng/04092008/features.html | work = Nigerian Tribune| date = 2008-09-04] [cite news| first = Ebun| last = Babalola| title = Saved From The Fangs Of Poverty| url = http://www.vanguardngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16279&Itemid=0 | work = Vanguard| date = 2008-09-06] ,orphans and the destitute. The church provides accommodation, food and a sense of belonging to the lonely and lowly in society, as well as scholarships to orphans and children of the less privileged, with educational support promised from primary to tertiary levels [cite news| first = Debo| last = Oladimeji| title = 'Sallah, Christmas? It is Good Merely To Be Alive'| url = http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/life_style/article20/indexn3_html?pdate=221207&ptitle=%27Sallah,%20Christmas?%20It%20is%20Good%20Merely%20To%20Be%20Alive%27&cpdate=221207 | work = The Guardian | date = 2007-12-22|] . There is also a rehabilitation programme for armed robbers [cite news| first = Chris| last = Ajaero| title = Their Way In And Out Of Robbery| url = http://www.newswatchngr.com/editorial/allaccess/nigeria/10224122645.htm | work = Newswatch| date = 2008-02-24|] and prostitutes [cite news| first = Kayode| last = Fabunmi| title = T.B. Joshua Gives Succour To Newly Born Baby| url = http://thepmnews.com/2008/04/03/t-b-joshua-gives-succour-to-newly-born-baby?version=print | work = PM News | date = 2008-04-03|] , desirous to turn from their former ways. During his 45th birthday on June 12 2008, TB Joshua also gave generously to the less privileged [cite news| first = Segun| last = Ajayi| title = Pastor's Day With The Downtrodden| url = http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/citysun/2008/jul/02/citysun-02-07-2008-003.htm | work = The Sun News| date = 2008-07-02|] .Skills development is a major concern of the ministry, where many young people and unemployed are taught vocational skills in the church premises. These include carpentry, baking, artistry, metal-working, construction and tailoring, to name but a few.
Charitable works have been part of TB Joshua's ministry from the very onset. Patrick Eneh, President General of Achilles Nigeria, testified, "I have known him since 1991 and since then he has been helping the disabled with the little he has... If few Nigerians could just be like him, Nigerian roads would be rid of beggars on the street." [cite news| first = Templer| last = Olaiya| title = Joshua Fetes The Physically Challenged| url = http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/ibru_center/article14//indexn3_html?pdate=200708&ptitle=Joshua%20Fetes%20The%20Physically%20Challenged%20&cpdate=220708 | work = The Guardian| date = 2008-07-20|]
T.B. Joshua is also a mentor to numerous church leaders [cite news| first = Aramide| last = Oikelome| title = T.B. Joshua Mentors Church Leaders| url = http://www.independentngonline.com/fali/fait/article03/080511 | work = Daily Independent| date = 2008-05-11] .
Reconciliation
T.B. Joshua was instrumental in reconciling the families of the late
Samuel Doe of Liberia and the man who was accused of assassinating him,Prince Yormie Johnson [cite news| first = Moses| last = Jolayemi| title = Johnson, Liberia's Warlord, Leaves on Sunday| url = http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2004/03/25/20040325news09.html | work = This Day| date = 2004-11-16] . Prior to the reconciliation, the two families were sworn enemies [cite news| title = PYJ Wants Sacred Cows Appear Before TRC | url = http://www.liberiawebs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=278:pyj-wants-sacred-cows-appear-before-trc&catid=81:politics&Itemid=293 | work = Liberia Webs| date = 2008-07-14] . The Nigerian press have reported other cases of families being reconciled by T.B. Joshua after years of separation. [cite news| first = Chris| last = Ajaero| title = She Made Her Husband Mad| url = http://www.newswatchngr.com/editorial/allaccess/nigeria/10824170400.htm| work = Newswatch| date = 2008-08-24] [cite news| first = Jossy| last = Idam| title = Confessions of desperate women| url = http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2008/aug/24/national-24-08-2008-002.htm| work = Sunday Sun| date = 2008-08-28] [cite news| first = Eromosele| last = Ebhomele| title = Man Regains Sanity, Forgives Wife| url = http://thepmnews.com/2008/08/26/man-regains-sanity-forgives-wife| work = PM News| date = 2008-08-26]TB Joshua is a strong advocate of families, and has recently embarked on numerous activities to reunite families who have long been separated due to false accusations of
witchcraft within the home, a practice common in certain parts of Africa. [cite news| first = Chris| last = Ajaero| title = In From The Cold| url = http://www.newswatchngr.com/editorial/allaccess/nigeria/10928221545.htm| work = Newswatch| date = 2008-09-28]Emmanuel TV
Emmanuel TV is the television station of The SCOAN and runs 24/ 7. Every Sunday service is broadcast live on Emmanuel TV and its unique programmes are attracting a growing viewership across Africa and America.
T.B. Joshua’s programmes also air 5 days a week on
TBN Africa [cite web|url=http://tbn.nellen.co.za/?PageID=Programme&Year=2008&Month=3|title= TB Joshua on TBN Africa] , as well as weekly on a number of Nigerian television stations.Controversies
Some have criticised T.B. Joshua, due to the large amount of miracles that reportedly take place in his meetings. [ [http://www.doveministries.com/usa/dagnea.htm] Prophet T.B. Joshua by Dagñea Teshome, USA] The
Pentecostal Felloship of Nigeria (PFN), umbrella association of nigerian Pentecostal Churches refused admission to the Synagogue Church denouncing T. B. Joshua as an impostor. [ [http://www.charismamag.com/display.php?id=5417 Critical Artikel by J. Lee Grady in the christian magazine "Charisma"] ]Chris Okotie Pastor and populartelevangelist in Nigeria accuses Joshua of "shamanist practices". Christian critics often refer to T.B. Joshua's unorthodox methods being not confirmed in the Bible. T.B. Joshua however is quoted as saying the following: 'When people persecute, accuse and vilify me in spite of all I do, I do not despair. I only remember Christ's rejection. People always fight what they do not understand.'Books
* "The Mirror" ISBN 0-620-37453-5
* "The Step Between You And The Cure" ISBN 0-620-33247-6
* "Daily Time With God" ISBN 0-620-375752External links
* [http://www.scoan.com/ Official Website of The SCOAN]
* [http://www.emmanuel.tv/ Emmanuel TV]
* [http://www.streamingfaith.com/ Streaming Faith]
* [http://www.escworldwide.com/ SCOAN Products]
* [http://www.salvationtimes.org/special_reports/tb_j.html TB Joshua Interview with Salvation Times]References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
