A rare interview Prophet TB Joshua granted to Nigerian media just days before his death on June 5th2021 has surfaced online.
Published in This Day Newspapers on June 13th 2021 under the headline ‘Why It’s Difficult For Me To Display My Wife’, Joshua spoke in explicit terms about succession plans, implying premonition he was in his final days and addressing rumours that have run rife since his demise as to who would take over The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN).
He explained the work of God was “not a business venture” and “the issue of family should not come into the issue of the church”.
When asked about his immediate family’s role in The SCOAN, the late cleric explained: “I would have loved my wife to be like me but I cannot make her what I am; it is God. It is not possible for me to anoint her; God is the one that anoints people. This is not biological issue; it is inheritance from the saints, it is a partaker from the saints. Therefore, I should not use anything in my biological life to stop my spiritual life.”
He further described The SCOAN as “an apostolic ministry” which required God’s anointing to minister in, not theological training or biological connection.
“I am a native of Arigidi-Akoko but as for my divine nature I am a partaker of the inheritance of the saints, therefore, it is so difficult for me,” Joshua explained. “This is an apostolic ministry. It is not a ministry where you read the Bible, go to theology school and you start preaching. No! It is purely divine. So, it is so difficult for me to display my wife. She has to be ready for God. As much as you are ready for God, God will display her.”
When the journalist asked in clear-cut terms who would take over his ministry, Joshua responded by calling on him to observe the recent activities on Emmanuel TV, the popular television channel owned by The SCOAN.
“Don’t you watch Emmanuel TV? This is a year now or six months since I preached last and the church still continues. There are five prophets and prophetesses; they are working. They have taken over from me already. There is an American, a British, a French, and a Nigerian.”
Asked whether he was worried about family interfering in church affairs when it comes to succession, Joshua replied: “This is where God comes in; it is not a business venture. If it is God, then it is God and then it is true. The issue of family should not come into the issue of the church – that is it; it is undeserved grace.”
Joshua equally explained why he was seldom seen in public functions but spent the majority of his time at the ‘Prayer Mountain’, a reclaimed swamp turned natural resort where his ministry first began in Lagos.
“This swamp is the rejected stone. God spoke to me and brought me here; I have been following God’s vision and mission. When I am out of God’s mission I am finished… I must have a corresponding grace or power, because the Holy Spirit must suggest what to do before I do them. If not, I will not be able to have God’s result,” he stated.
He continued, “This is why you are not seeing me out there – at weddings, naming ceremonies and coming to your office to grant an interview. The Synagogue here in Ikotun is the only church; there is no other branch all over the world but it touches everywhere in the world… The important thing is that we should focus on building the people and not the church.”
TB Joshua was finally laid to rest last week on Friday, July 9th 2021 within The SCOAN premises after a series of services celebrating his life and legacy.