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Nigerian actor and senior pastor of the Fountain of Life Church, Jimmy Odukoya, has delivered a strong message to those who constantly attack pastors of large churches for living flamboyantly or passing leadership to their children.
In a trending video, Odukoya argued that many critics only speak up when a ministry becomes successful, ignoring the struggles and sacrifices that built the church from scratch.
Addressing critics of wealthy pastors, he said people fail to acknowledge the seasons when these same pastors had no congregation or financial stability. According to him, those who complain today were nowhere to be found during the years of hardship that shaped these ministries.
In his words:
**“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. Where were you when they had no one?
“The reason you want to talk about what they are doing is because the church has grown to a size that you recognise. But where were you when they started with two people in a living room? 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. But when the pastor was walking to church, you had no problem.”
The pastor also reacted to widespread criticism of church leadership being handed down to children, especially in Pentecostal ministries. He insisted that if people find it so problematic, they should build their own churches and replicate the same success.
He added:
“All the big-time pastors, you too start your church and make it big if it’s easy. Go and do it. All these pastors, 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. What is the problem? I said what I said.”
Jimmy Odukoya, son of the late pastors Taiwo and Bimbo Odukoya, emphasized that pastoring is demanding work that most critics do not understand. His remarks have since sparked intense debate across social media.
Online Reactions
@oyedelekolawole:
“But they don’t go through all these stages you mentioned alone, at least some people work with them and should be compensated too but the reverse is the case in Nigeria. And that was why your own father’s church was handed over to you even when your dressing and behaviour is not Christ like?”
@dixydee247:
“Its high time pastors stop countering criticisms bcus it won’t go away bcus criticisms no start today, even Christ faced worse. Just allow people criticise you and focus on the teachings of Christ.”
@adorasmakeover:
“Whose money did pastor use to buy the cars?”
@femmyluther:
“If E Eazy run am … People don’t know the story behind the glory the seee. PJ, free them. They don’t know neither do they understand. Pastoring is seriousssssss work.”
@iam__polymath:
“This is not the gospel of Christ. Just stop yelling bro. 90% of Nigerian Pentecostal pastors are just low tier noise makers, this includes you. My advice is to avoid pulpit gossip and just preach Christ.”
@de_custodian_:
“It is not easy to do it I agree, but what is fake is fake.”
@busari.temi:
“I am sorry I disagree. There is NO church that has NOT been built on building funds. Every church I’ve attended since childhood has always asked for building funds.”
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