Edward Tedson Sesay – London, UK
“Is it not written, my house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer?
But you have made it a den of thieves.” Mark 11:17
This bit of “Somebody Please Shout Hallelujah” will look at some of the damage our charismatic churches are causing in our communities. Faith healers who should actually be termed fake healers, are robbing God’s church and the damage they cause is immeasurable.
Diversion of vital church resources and financial loss to victims
The leaders of charismatic churches do not have the welfare of the church goers at heart. They are bent on making themselves filthy rich at the expense of vulnerable people who will believe anything no matter how ridiculous, and such will continue to dump cash into fake healing rackets to enable the racketeers continue flying first class and staying in presidential hotel suites in the name of attending evangelical conferences. If nine out of ten sermons are about sewing seeds in the form of tithe payments, when will church goers be preached about thanksgiving to God? Surely, vital church resources are being diverted to satisfy the greedy hearts and pockets of rich fat cats who call themselves prophets or apostles. Meanwhile, the real work of propagating the word of God becomes secondary.
Carnival or Prayer ?
Anyone who has been to charismatic churches or has watched their televised services would hardly be able to make out the difference between charismatic church services and carnivals. It is not uncommon to observe in these churches expensive hi-tec, top of the line musical equipment and richly dressed choirs comprising guitarists, drummers, keyboardists and “trained” dancers. The music is often loud and the “worshippers” very animated: clapping, swaying, dancing, holding their hands in the air. You certainly would feel you are watching a Brazilian carnival.
Indeed, Psalm 100 asks God’s people to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before His presence with singing.” But are our festive charismatic churches not going beyond the Psalm 100 mark? You decide!
Interference with proper treatment of patients
Fake healers organise a few of their followers to give testimonies of healing to entrap thousands of gullible and unwary church goers. A man is often seen walking in front of the congregation with his hands up ready to make a testimony. He hops, jumps and vigorously swings his body from left to right and in his testimony, he tells the congregation, “I have suffered a chronic back pain for over ten years. All the hospitals in the land could not help me. I received my healing from this church.” More often than not, this is false and it could be a man that had never experienced a back pain. The damage done is that many then turn to the false prophet who has no powers to heal even a minor headache. The sick, poor and afflicted are given false hopes. Remember, Man can be fooled, but certainly, not God.
Teaching a wicked generation to look for signs
We belong to a wicked and unbelieving generation. Many do not believe the doctrines of the Gospel because they have not seen any signs or wonders. Our false prophets seek to be seen as genuine and therefore falsely claim to have powers that Jesus had over 2000 years ago. This is why the populations of our traditional churches are fast dwindling and we have a breed of Religious or Denominational “Cross Carpeters”, people who go in search of signs and immediate solutions to their personal problems. Our charismatic pastors claim they can show these signs to their followers. They ignore their blasphemy against the Holy Spirit by imitating gifts.
Confusing an already very confused generation
It cannot be denied that our generation is a very confused one. Life does not seem to make sense to many and it appears God has been taken away from our homes, schools and work places. Christ preached against wealth and greed and made it very clear that “it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” He said in Matthew 10:9-10, "Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food." Yet our gold digging charismatic prophets preach nothing but themes of financial blessings and abundance. I am confused. What about you?
Conclusion
Our new churches specialize in doctrines such as violent prayer, prosperity preaching, so called speaking in tongues and fake healing with the unfortunate result that there is no balanced teaching and discipleship. Such churches multiply by the minute and their members migrate from one denomination to another depending on their areas of felt need.
These church leaders are not called by God and they are ill –equipped to lead God’s true church. They have little or no theological training. They use any foul means such as demonic powers to fake miracles to draw attention to themselves. Filthy lucre is their only motivation.
What next ?
Sanity should return to God’s church and to achieve this, a surgical operation to remove the sore points is required.
The present chaotic situation whereby any brat can wake-up in the morning and establish a church and call himself “Bishop”, “Apostle,” “Evangelist” should be outlawed. National governments should create bodies comprising Anglican, Catholic, Pentecostal, Methodist, Evangelical representatives) to regulate the establishment of new churches, and the conditions for establishing a church should not be made that easy.
A similar regulation should be extended to the establishment of Bible Schools because most of the Bible Schools do not even have libraries or qualified teachers and a standard curriculum. Yet they award bogus diplomas and degrees. Graduates from such schools become liabilities or hazards to the church and society.
All faithful church leaders need to pray fervently individually and co-operatively for God to expose those fake prophets who mislead God’s people by faking miracles and to liberate their ‘hostages’ ( gullible followers ) through the light of the Gospel of Christ.
The church needs to preach and teach balanced messages. Heretic teachings should be banned on Radio and Television. In order to enforce this, every church must be affiliated to a main National Christian Regulatory Body recognized by government.
Church leaders should lead by example in their utterances and lifestyles. They should hold themselves accountable to the church and God and they should keep accurate records of accounts and all other transactions of the church.
Finally, I wish to say that there is nothing to stop the church from making an impact and being an agent of positive change in our communities. Those blaspheming against the Gospel will be exposed and the truth shall prevail. Please shout Hallelujah only to the true Gospel and do not let your social problems drag you off the path of true Christianity.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Hon. Alpha Kanu talks about SLPP, “Yesterday Betteh Pass Tiday”
Anthony Abdul Karim Kamara, Jnr.
Attending the largest Africa event organized for Africa by Africare, an organization headquartered in Washington, DC whose mission is to improve the quality of the people of Africa, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Political Affairs, Hon. Alhaji Alpha Sahid Kanu, who was a distinguished guest, joined a host of government, corporate and international leaders at a fund raising dinner held on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009.
Receiving the 2009 Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award was six-time Grammy Award winner John Legend. The award seeks to recognized “the work of an individual or individuals who have made a significant impact on raising the standard of living in Africa.” In John Lennon, young people are called upon to understand “the importance that a young voice brings to the efforts of improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.”
In his remarks to all present, Julius E. Coles, President of Africare, lauded legend’s artistic style calling him “a superstar.” Outlining reasons why John truly deserves such an honour, “he is a humanitarian, a fantastic entertainer and he is a person who is very concerned with ending poverty in Africa,” he maintained.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, former Secretary of State, Colin Powell, ex-President Mandela, Graca Machel, former Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush, Ambassador Andrew Young, Dorothy I. Height, and philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates are all past recipients of the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award.
As he departs the United States, Hon. Alpha Kanu responded to a series of questions I posed to him about Emmerson’s “Mi Yesterday Betteh Pass Tiday,” Karamoh Kabba, SLPP’s Kadie Sesay, his ministries among others. Here now is my interview with Sierra Leone’s most eloquent and persuasive minister.
PV: What brings you to the USA? You were here a few weeks ago.
Kanu: Let me thank you for the opportunity to talk to you.
The last time we were in the USA, it was to attend the General Assembly of the United Nations as part of H. E President Koroma’s entourage. This time, I am a guest of Africare attending their annual fund raising dinner as one of the guests at the Head Table alongside Mr. Johnny Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Dr. Darius Mans, Acting CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Dr. Julius Cole, President of Africare, Ambassador Andrew Young- who confirmed to me that his DNA has shown that he is of Mende extraction, General Ward, Commander of AFRICOM- who met President Koroma recently in Freetown and the Africare Honoree for this year, the famous musician, John Legend .
PV: This must be a networking opportunity for you with regards to Sierra Leone meeting the MCC threshold, right?
Kanu: Yes! The essence was to afford me an opportunity to meet and talk with those people who take critical decision on the activities of the MCC i.e. the Secretary of State and the CEO of the MCC. It was good opportunity and Sierra Leone is now firmly on the Agenda for the December Board meeting of the MCC to be chaired by Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton.
It has been a good trip and I am very hopeful.
PV: Have you listened to Emerson Bockarie’s recent album which includes a track called “Mi Yesterday Betteh Pass Tiday?”
Kanu: This is a non event. The people of Sierra Leone saw through the intent of the album of which the lyrics are fallacious; the release is untimely and the effect has been anathema to the hopes of those who sponsored this puerile political commentary.
It is very clear that the SLPP have been defeated flat out and are now groping in the dark for something to hold on to in a sea of success stories for the APC’s performance.
We do not begrudge them these attempts. Like a drowning man, they would clutch at any straw. Only this time the current is too high and they have caused Emmerson to be swept along in their waves of mounting unpopularity.
PV: You would agree with me that this song has divided Sierra Leoneans both at home and abroad. In fact, it is clear the division has been between your party and the opposition SLPP. Some have said it is a wakeup call for the government of EBK to do more and run the country the way he promised to as “a business entity.” Of course, members of the opposition have seized upon the moment to claim that the music effectively underscores what the people of SL are experiencing. What is your view of this whole thing?
Kanu: I said this was a non event and it is just that. It has not divided Sierra Leoneans. In fact, it has succeeded in exposing the SLPP that their Leadership lacks a credible and acceptable political platform. None of its Leaders is an MP, councillor or Mayor. Where will they practice politics? On the streets of Freetown? Bo, Pujehun and Kono? Tell me, Mr. Kamara.
No! No longer will our people allow wanton politicians to play on their innocence and desires to whip up political sentiments be they tribal, regional or partisan. Sierra Leoneans have resisted this and will continue to do so till the opposition learns that the only way to win the hearts and minds of your people is to do the right thing for them.
PV: Do you think the APC has changed SL? If yes, in what ways and what are the major accomplishments that your government can boast of?
Kanu: This question is rhetoric. Everyone can see the difference in the country. You only have to look at the way of life of the people, the rising Happiness Index and you can tell that people are hopeful about the future and of better things to come.
In just 24 months, President Koroma’s Government has completed Bumbuna and provided electricity to the darkest city in Africa. That we are no more!
He has increased agricultural production to an extent that we were able to ride the storm of the global food crisis unscathed.
We are improving the road network. Infrastructure and Technology now allows e-learning, e-government, television reception nationwide, internet coverage even in Bambaworo, the Gola Forest and Outamba Kilimi.
On education, we are introducing the concept of community colleges to provide a staging post, a collegiate for those wishing to achieve tertiary education, maternal mortality has fallen by 30% since 2007 and infant mortality rates about the same proportions.
PV: What can you tell us about the new Mining Policy that your ministry recently released?
Kanu: This is a policy that will create opportunities for companies and communities to work together harmoniously. It will increase revenues to Government. It will provide better conditions for rehabilitation and provide a level playing field for all those, big or small to enter into the minerals industry. No longer will one company hold large swathes of land for very long without
PV: Without a doubt, many believe that you accomplished a lot during your stint at the Ministry of Presidential and Public Affairs? What have you accomplished so far as Minister of Mines?
Kanu: The review of the mining laws is the key to better management of the sector. The resolution of the impasse between African Minerals and London Mining. The transformation of Cluff Gold from explorer to a potential producer, the release of the no.11 tailings to the communities and the launching of the mining cadastre system to avoid concession overlaps are a few that the ministry under my leadership has worked hard to achieve.
PV: You also are charged with the responsibility for the newly created Ministry of Political Affairs. What is this ministry about and what have you accomplished in this ministry?
Kanu: This is the link between central Government and all the political parties in the country. We resolve disputes and also control potential areas that could lead to violence. In short, it strengthens our democratic process.
PV: How is SL in terms of meeting the MCC goals? Do you think our country will meet the threshold the next time we are evaluated? Why is it that SL has been slow to meet the requirements needed to gain the MCC’s recognition?
Kanu: I have answered this. We have done a lot and even the ACC is making a serious impact. We believe if the indicators include recent actions and policies set up by the Government of Sierra Leone, we will meet the threshold.
PV: Was Karamoh Kabba fired from the office of Open Government Initiative? If reports out there are true that large sums of money disappeared during his tenure as director, many (including me) are wondering why is he now working for you at the Ministry of Mines and Political Affairs?
Kanu: Karamoh Kabba was never dismissed. He was on a year’s contract with the UNDP and this contract was not renewed on expiry. The question of the missing amount is the subject of a departmental inquiry that is ongoing. He is currently the Director for Political Affairs and he is doing just great.
PV: What is the state of the Marampa Mines in Lunsar?
Kanu: The London Mining company is mobilising. They have completed a 19km haulage road from Mammy Nancy to Thofayim on the Port Loko Creek for the badge loading of Iron Ore. I understand they will be repairing the old quarters at European compound ready for mining commencement in early 2010.
African Minerals are working on their own part of the concession. Cape Lambert who together with Africa Minerals operate Marampa Iron Ore are preparing to rehabilitate the railway to Pepel and the port. This may be ready for first shipment by end 2010.
PV: What was this thing between you and Kadi Sesay of the Opposition SLPP?
Kanu: Nothing serious! She was asked to grade the APC’s performance in the past two years. She failed the government in every respect including the famous energy success story. I said I was not surprised as I did not expect that my papers would be given to my mother’s mate for marking.
PV: I know you are in a hurry. Have a safe trip and thanks for your time, sir!
Kanu: Yes, I am! I must catch my plane back to Freetown now to be present for the big event of the Bumbuna launching. Thank you and good-bye.
Anthony Kamara, Jnr. - is PV’s USA Bureau Chief.
Mount Zion United of Philadelphia celebrates in grand style
Anthony Abdul Karim Kamara, Jnr.
After fifteen years of service to the African community in Philadelphia, friends from various Christian communities joined Mount Zion United African Church at their 1453 North 52nd Street location to celebrate the many blessings that they have received over the years and to thank God almighty for the many challenges that they have successfully defeated.
From their humble origin of a community of fourteen members to a very large Christian family and meeting in different living rooms and moving from one small place to another along Chester Avenue in Philadelphia to their magnificent present location, it is easy to understand why they all believe that by standing on God’s promises as they have done, nothing is impossible for their ministry.
As they marched past an excited congregation, the Mount Zion choir led in singing the processional hymn “Standing on God’s Promises” as old and young, men and women adorned in traditional African pageantry, dance in praise and worship of the ever living God for enabling them to walk in light and being a blessing to many others that they as a church community, have brought out of darkness
Welcoming all to Mount Zion was William B. Tucker, board chairman, who expressed his firm conviction that the church’s mission of bringing people closer to God is successfully being achieved and spiritual growth is one aspect that every member makes significant effort to attain. This is very important for us as members of this Christian family,” he stressed.
Speaking about the younger generation, the future of Mount Zion, Chairman Tucker was effusive as he underscored the active role that the young people have embraced in service of their church and community. This was evident as they paced up and down ushering guests to their seats; participate as choristers, dramatize the word of God among the many other activities that they engage in.
In his sermon to a jam packed congregation, Rev. Joseph Abu who was introduced by his wife, Matenneh Abu, was passionate in reminding all who have come to worship that they have come to Mount Zion and the city of the living God as Hebrews 12:20 states. “What is Mount Zion and this city of God,” he asks. “Are you at your Mount Zion,” he continued?
Reminding his listeners that Mount Zion is indeed one of the mountains that surround the city of Jerusalem, so too does God surround his people. Therefore, “put your trust in your living God for those who trust in the lord are like Mount Zion” the holy mountain which was established by God for his chosen people.
Calling on all to establish a special relationship with God, Pastor Abu noted the importance of fulfilling one’s spiritual obligations as sons and daughters of the living God; by trusting in him no matter what the circumstances, never forgetting his great deeds and always keeping his commands. By being in direct communication with God, this is how we can reach “our Mount Zion.” He stressed.
Scripture reading, Hebrews 12:22 -29 was read by Rev. Deborah Bangura and worship through giving was lead by Rev. Mohamed Tarawally. Rev. Favor Ehirim led prayers in Blessing of the Giving. A special music performance by Augusta Mbalu Kamara and Sallor Mansaray titled “One day at a time” will always be remembered. As they lifted up their voices and lit the heavens, it was clear Mount Zion Choir was cognizant of the banner in the church that read “To God be the Glory.”
Acknowledging the presence of visiting pastors, patrons and church members are Abdul Kamara and Sam King. Isatta Sowa informed all about developments in the church. As they led the service in special blessings and consecration and benediction, Pastors Abu and Samuel Konteh joined the choir in singing the closing hymn “Take the name of Jesus.”
NOSLINA Donates to Freetown City Council
Anthony Abdul Karim Kamara, Jnr.
In an effort to reduce urban blithe, environmental pollution and degradation and improve general sanitation and appearance of the city of Freetown, the National Organization of Sierra Leoneans in North America (NOSLINA) has purchased four large community garbage dumpsters on wheels which are to be placed in places of greatest need in the Freetown area.
The presentation ceremony was held early today at Cathedral House in Freetown. Representing NOSLINA at the Press Conference was Suna G. Nallo, executive director of NOSLINA and Herbert Akieremi George-Williams, Mayor of Freetown, who was handed a check of $5,400 to meet the total cost of the garbage dumpsters. Below is the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between NOSLINA and the city of Freetown was also signed.
Such an effort underscores NOSLINA’s mission of contributing to the development of Sierra Leone.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)
PREAMBLE: Whereas the National Organization of Sierra Leoneans in North America (hereinafter referred to as NOSLINA) is a Non-Profit Charitable Organization based in the United States of America and dedicated to improvement of the lives of all Sierra Leoneans;
AND, Whereas NOSLINA Members comprise of Sierra Leoneans and their friends in the United States of America;
AND, Whereas the Board of Directors and members of NOSLINA have unanimously agreed to support sanitation improvement efforts in Freetown in 2009 through the Freetown City Council (FCC);
AND, Whereas NOSLINA seeks to purchase 4 new Large Community Garbage Dumpsters on wheels from a manufacturer in Sierra Leone to deliver to the FCC for sanitation relief in Freetown;
AND Whereas NOSLINA has dedicated $5400 US Dollars for the purchase of the said 4 new large community garbage containers/dumpsters payable to the Seller of the garbage containers upon execution of this MOU as prescribed herein;
AND, Whereas NOSLINA entrusts the Freetown City Council as the duly constituted authority in Freetown to oversee implementation of this NOSLINA project in Freetown;
NOW THEREFORE, We the members of NOSLINA do hereby enter into a binding MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING with the Freetown City Council, Republic of Sierra Leone to facilitate implementation of the said NOSLINA sanitation community dumpster project as follows:
Upon execution of this Memorandum of Understanding, NOSLINA will present a total of $5400 US Dollars in Cashier’s checks to the Mayor of Freetown and payable to the Freetown City Council to purchase 4 new Large Community Garbage Dumpsters from a reliable Sierra Leone manufacturer. Payments by the FCC to the manufacturer are to be made in two installments. The first installment is to be paid with the placing of the order for the garbage containers immediately upon the signing of this MOU. The second and final Installment to be held by the FCC should only be paid upon the City Council’s verification and certification that the said dumpsters have been delivered and manufactured to and meet all applicable standards of quality established and determined by the Freetown City Council for such community garbage dumpsters on wheels.
The Freetown City Council, upon receipt of the Dumpsters, will cause the following language to be boldly, visibly and prominently painted on each of the 4 large dumpsters “DONATED BY the National Organization of Sierra Leoneans in North America (NOSLINA) for use by the People of Freetown.”
NOSLINA will pay for the services of an artist to paint the aforesaid language on each of the 4 new dumpsters so long as it is painted in accordance with established standards for public display as determined by applicable city/state ordinances and laws.
The Freetown City Council will ensure the dumpsters are situated at locations in or around Freetown that derive maximum public benefit and to inform NOSLINA of the specific sites and rationale for site selection.
The Freetown City Council will on its own expense ensure frequent and regular disposal of the garbage collected in the dumpsters and at no time permit NOSLINA Garbage Dumpsters to contribute to sanitation blithe and/or environmental degradation and pollution.
NOSLINA and the Freetown City Council have entered into this Memorandum of Understanding exclusively for the purpose of the NOSLINA Community Garbage Container/Dumpsters Project in Freetown to facilitate professional, accountable, transparent, and public recognition of the project and in the interest of the people of Freetown.
This Memorandum of Understanding is jointly entered into, agreed upon and duly executed in Freetown, Sierra Leone this 3rd day of November, 2009
By_______________________ and _________________________
Suna Nallo, Executive Director Herbert George-Williams, Mayor
For NOSLINA For the Freetown City Council
Witness Whereof
________________________, for NOSLINA
________________________, for the Freetown City Council
In an effort to reduce urban blithe, environmental pollution and degradation and improve general sanitation and appearance of the city of Freetown, the National Organization of Sierra Leoneans in North America (NOSLINA) has purchased four large community garbage dumpsters on wheels which are to be placed in places of greatest need in the Freetown area.
The presentation ceremony was held early today at Cathedral House in Freetown. Representing NOSLINA at the Press Conference was Suna G. Nallo, executive director of NOSLINA and Herbert Akieremi George-Williams, Mayor of Freetown, who was handed a check of $5,400 to meet the total cost of the garbage dumpsters. Below is the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between NOSLINA and the city of Freetown was also signed.
Such an effort underscores NOSLINA’s mission of contributing to the development of Sierra Leone.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)
PREAMBLE: Whereas the National Organization of Sierra Leoneans in North America (hereinafter referred to as NOSLINA) is a Non-Profit Charitable Organization based in the United States of America and dedicated to improvement of the lives of all Sierra Leoneans;
AND, Whereas NOSLINA Members comprise of Sierra Leoneans and their friends in the United States of America;
AND, Whereas the Board of Directors and members of NOSLINA have unanimously agreed to support sanitation improvement efforts in Freetown in 2009 through the Freetown City Council (FCC);
AND, Whereas NOSLINA seeks to purchase 4 new Large Community Garbage Dumpsters on wheels from a manufacturer in Sierra Leone to deliver to the FCC for sanitation relief in Freetown;
AND Whereas NOSLINA has dedicated $5400 US Dollars for the purchase of the said 4 new large community garbage containers/dumpsters payable to the Seller of the garbage containers upon execution of this MOU as prescribed herein;
AND, Whereas NOSLINA entrusts the Freetown City Council as the duly constituted authority in Freetown to oversee implementation of this NOSLINA project in Freetown;
NOW THEREFORE, We the members of NOSLINA do hereby enter into a binding MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING with the Freetown City Council, Republic of Sierra Leone to facilitate implementation of the said NOSLINA sanitation community dumpster project as follows:
Upon execution of this Memorandum of Understanding, NOSLINA will present a total of $5400 US Dollars in Cashier’s checks to the Mayor of Freetown and payable to the Freetown City Council to purchase 4 new Large Community Garbage Dumpsters from a reliable Sierra Leone manufacturer. Payments by the FCC to the manufacturer are to be made in two installments. The first installment is to be paid with the placing of the order for the garbage containers immediately upon the signing of this MOU. The second and final Installment to be held by the FCC should only be paid upon the City Council’s verification and certification that the said dumpsters have been delivered and manufactured to and meet all applicable standards of quality established and determined by the Freetown City Council for such community garbage dumpsters on wheels.
The Freetown City Council, upon receipt of the Dumpsters, will cause the following language to be boldly, visibly and prominently painted on each of the 4 large dumpsters “DONATED BY the National Organization of Sierra Leoneans in North America (NOSLINA) for use by the People of Freetown.”
NOSLINA will pay for the services of an artist to paint the aforesaid language on each of the 4 new dumpsters so long as it is painted in accordance with established standards for public display as determined by applicable city/state ordinances and laws.
The Freetown City Council will ensure the dumpsters are situated at locations in or around Freetown that derive maximum public benefit and to inform NOSLINA of the specific sites and rationale for site selection.
The Freetown City Council will on its own expense ensure frequent and regular disposal of the garbage collected in the dumpsters and at no time permit NOSLINA Garbage Dumpsters to contribute to sanitation blithe and/or environmental degradation and pollution.
NOSLINA and the Freetown City Council have entered into this Memorandum of Understanding exclusively for the purpose of the NOSLINA Community Garbage Container/Dumpsters Project in Freetown to facilitate professional, accountable, transparent, and public recognition of the project and in the interest of the people of Freetown.
This Memorandum of Understanding is jointly entered into, agreed upon and duly executed in Freetown, Sierra Leone this 3rd day of November, 2009
By_______________________ and _________________________
Suna Nallo, Executive Director Herbert George-Williams, Mayor
For NOSLINA For the Freetown City Council
Witness Whereof
________________________, for NOSLINA
________________________, for the Freetown City Council
SOMEBODY SHOUT HALLELUYA! PART ONE
Edward Tedson Sesay – London, UK.
“Is it not written, my house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? But you have made it a den of thieves.” Mark 11:17
Our modern world is experiencing a massive growth in churches set up by charismatic preachers many of whom could be fraudsters, tricksters, or simply put, magicians. There is a plethora of dead- beat ministries on the radio and so called “Christian” TV broadcast networks.
Of course in almost every corner in our towns and cities, houses built or rented in the name of the “propagation of the word of God” can be seen. The truth however is that, the simple, decent gospel of Jesus is being polluted with teachings about “sewing seeds” for financial gains and divine faith healing. Like in the time of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem when he observed that the temple of God was being used for corrupt commercial practices, God’s house has been turned once again in our times, into a den of thieves.
While there are many well meaning churches that actually contribute to peace and security in our nations, many others are formed with the sole aim of amassing riches by fooling poor, vulnerable congregations who are encouraged to make generous financial contributions with false assurances that they would be blessed, healed and become rich. All of a sudden, a “mighty, powerful, gifted” preacher emerges and establishes a church which he cleverly gives a name that is so attractive that even the most skeptical person will be tempted to register in.
You must have heard of churches such as, “ House of Healing”, “Zion Charismatic Church”, “Destiny Church”, “House of Redemption”, “Rock of Ages”, “Soul Savers” to name a few? Like in choosing the names they give to their churches, these phoney church leaders also smartly choose the most attractive titles such Prophet X, Apostle Y, Dr Z. Some are even Bishops. Only God knows how they got ordained.
With no formal training in Religion or Ministry, they set up these new churches falsely claiming that they have been called, touched and anointed by God to spread the “Good News”. Sadly, the Gospel of Jesus, the “Good News For Modern Man” becomes the “Gospel of Wealth, Good News for Gold Diggers and fortune Hunters.”
The encyclopaedia of American Religious History explains that the “Charismatic Movement” got its name from “charismata” which is Greek for “spiritual gifts”. The leaders of the charismatic churches around us claim that the spiritual gifts exhibited by the apostles of Jesus can still be manifest in modern day Christians. This is why they claim gifts of spiritual healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues.
In James Chapter 5, the Bible makes it very clear that it is the “prayer of faith” which heals the sick-not the presumptuousness of a false prophet. If anything, the world is yet to witness a single credible miracle since the time of that great Man Jesus when crowds witnessed water being turned into wine or thousands being fed with 5 loaves and the blind regaining their sight. We are yet to see a single true prophet since the days of Moses, Amos, Joshua, Elijah or Elisha. Yes, we are yet to witness the presumptuous, cunning, charismatic “faith healers” of our times cure a headache, not to mention making a blind member of their congregation regain their sight or restoring life to a dead rat.
WHY DO THESE FALSE PROPHETS THRIVE?
If no legitimate faith healers exist, why do all these new churches overflow with crowds of followers? The answer is simple. The owners of fake ministries live amongst us and before becoming “prophets,” they experience human hardship and feel the pinch of the economic crunch like any of us.
They clearly know what the crowds love to hear. In short, they know the areas to exploit to touch the minds of their very needy congregations: job acquisition and job security, business success, visas and immigration, relationships, personal success and fame etc
They exploit the vulnerability of followers all of whom are deceived by false assurances that their problems will be solved without any doubt. Indeed, while true Christianity will preach faithful prayer and repentance for the healing of souls, our charismatic preachers emphasize the need for God’s people to generously “give to God” to gain salvation and human happiness. “Give now because God loves a cheerful giver. Give now because the need is great.”
It is without doubt that many of these charlatans are making God look like a destitute, desperate and needy gatekeeper who requires the gifts or bribes of followers in order for Him to open for them the gates of His kingdom. God’s blessing has been turned into merchandise that can be purchased with silver and gold.
THE MAGIC TRICKS OF SURVIVAL
The “church business” like every business faces stiff competition and the leaders have therefore got to do everything to remain in operation and make their daily profits or gains. The preachers have a daily need to assure their followers that they are one or two steps ahead of the others and to achieve these, many tricks come into play.
Amen and Halleluya: These are the magic or code words you will hear every second in any charismatic congregation. The preachers ensure that the followers are hypnotized to such an extent that they believe that whatever they say comes directly from God and therefore must be believed. To assure themselves that the people believe what they say, they keep asking them to reinforce what they say: “somebody shout halleluya. Somebody shout amen.” Indeed if you watch these sermons on TV or visit these churches out of curiousity, you will hear the conned followers screaming, “halleluia,” “amen” and looking up the ceiling as if expecting God’s hand to descend and drop down riches or the favours for which they have come to the “house of worship.”
Promise of Financial Bonanza
The false prophets exploit greedy minds by promising a financial bonanza that comes with “giving to God”. On 11.10.09, I watched a so called religious broadcast on TV by a preacher called Mike Murdock. The whole sermon which I listened to for a whole hour was all about financial blessings and the need for followers to pay tithes to his church. He emphasized the need to give in order to receive and he was very clear that what you will receive from God will be proportionate to what you give.
Below are a few things said by this preacher that I managed to scribble down while I watched and listened to the sermon:
1. “May God bring you miracle money. But remember, nothing leaves Heaven until something leaves the Earth” (Do the millions collected ever leave the house or bank account of this pastor and go to heaven ? )
2. “Any time God blesses me, He tells me to bless you”. ( He wants his worshippers to believe that he has direct contact with God. )
3. “At age 21, I posted a cheque for $50/00 to a church for a good cause. A week later, while playing the organ in church, a couple walked up to me and gave me a cheque for a £100/00 saying, “God has asked us to bless you with this gift.” (He wants worshippers to empty their purses, starve themselves and their families in the name of “good causes” in the hope of receiving a double reward. )
4. “I will pray for God to give you a thousand dollar seed to sew, to create the harvest. God answers my prayers.” (Again, empty your wallets. I am favoured by God and I will plead on your behalf )
5. Give generously now for everything God touches multiplies. People need the harvest more than they need the seed.” ( People should give everything they have, for the more you give, the more you receive )
6. I will pray for you to experience 90 days of perpetual blessings-a financial bonanza. Take out you wallets and cheque books to be blest. Draw a picture of your wallet or cheque book if you do not have it now and I will bless it. Give generously. If you keep what you have, that is your harvest. In order to multiply, what you have must go. You have to trade your present for the future.” ( His hands and mouth are blest. Only he alone will God listen to )
7. “Jesus said whatever you give me will be multiplied a hundred fold” (Was Jesus a beggar and was he actually referring to money or material things?)
At the end of every sentence of this foolery, the passionate crowds cheered, “Amen, Halleluya.”
THE TRICKERY OF THE “HOLY SPIRIT”
It is not uncommon to see these pastors call members of their congregations to come forward to be touched and be blest. They pretend to have the power of the holy spirit and the followers who are touched can be observed trembling as if shocked by an electric current.
They go backwards and pretend they are falling down and the trained apprentices of the preachers stand by to hold them and prevent them from being knocked down by the “holy” spirit. Sometimes the preachers blow towards the audience and whole sections fall over in their seats.
This to me is a trained emotional response that has nothing to do with the Holy Spirit. Please read the piece below which I extracted from an article in the internet titled: Uganda Based Pastor Denies Miracle Scam
“A Uganda-based preacher has denied charges he tried to import an electric shock machine to make people believe he could pass on the Holy Spirit. "This is a toy. It was sent for my daughters' birthday," Ghanaian Kojo Nana Obiri-Yeboah told the BBC. The machine was seized at Entebbe airport and police are investigating. The pastor told the BBC that during his prayers, members of the congregation "act as the spirit comes in them". The website of the company Yigal Mesika, which makes the "Electric Touch" machine, among other magic tricks, says: "Charge a spoon, keys or coins and watch as it shocks a volunteer! "They will believe you have supernatural powers!" The person doing the trick wears the machine and gets an electric charge, which they can transfer to people or objects. Uganda's Ethics and Integrity Minister James Nsaba Buturo has asked police for a report into the activities of churches, such as Mr Obiri-Yeboah's”.
TESTIMONIES
To attract more followers or tithe payers, the rogues arrange for people to give false testimonies of having been cured of an illness or being saved from trouble by the miracles of the false prophet. Several times you would have witnessed an old lady coming up to say, “I suffered from aching limbs for 15 years. All medicines failed to cure me until I came to this church.” The examples of false testimonies abound.
If faith healers are put to the test, they will fail every time. There is a big difference between saying and doing. Faith healers point to testimonies to support their claims, but testimonies are really cheap things. Some people will testify to anything. We need these faith healers to enter into the hospitals and empty the beds of its patients. This is where miracles are badly needed. Imagine the millions of HIV sufferers around the globe that need miracles. Certainly, this will not happen because our faith healers are only con artists, liars and false prophets that are “possessed” by a craving to possess.
Tongues – Our faith healers want people to believe they can perform miracles. To build this false impression they imitate as often as possible the gifts of the Spirit given to the early church. This is done to show that they are legitimate because they have the "anointing."
It is quite common to hear many false prophets babbling like a one-year-old imitating speaking with the gift of tongues. These are only putting on an act. Indeed these preachers are actual actors: drama kings and queens whose theatricals in the pulpit, or should I say on stage, will qualify them for an Oscar award.
The Biblical gift of tongues is the ability for people to hear the gospel in their language when someone else speaks in their language. This gift helped the Apostles spread the gospel around the world. I do not believe anyone has the gift of tongues today.
LESSON TO LEARN
All of us whether at home or abroad have needs we desperately need to meet: jobs security, visas, immigration/Green Cards, relationships, business, health, power, fame etc. The need to meet these needs make us vulnerable and easy prey to rogues who are keen to exploit our vulnerabilities to their advantage.
Making easy wealth and ruining helpless people’s lives has become the preoccupation of con artists who thrive in their business by using religion and the name of God. Beware of these wolves in sheep’s clothing whose tongues are coated with sugar and honey up and down.
We must NOT compromise or water down the truth. These people are all about making filthy-lucre. It takes more than a loose tongue and a few "hallelujahs" to fool a Christian who is familiar with his or her Bible (1611 King James Bible). Faith healers masquerade as "God's Anointed" yet they turn the gift of salvation into a charismatic infomercial with the goal of getting their hands on your money. They should be ashamed, but they are not.
The true Christian God is not a poor man who will ask his people to give a hundred dollars in order to be favoured with two hundred dollars. God cannot be bribed and His blessings are not for sale. Do not desert your traditional church in the hope of finding quick fixes to your health, social and material problems in the charismatic churches headed by charlatans. Are you destined to be next victim of determined shameless rogues that will ask you every second of their sermons to shout halleluya?
They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Be warned.
“Is it not written, my house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? But you have made it a den of thieves.” Mark 11:17
Our modern world is experiencing a massive growth in churches set up by charismatic preachers many of whom could be fraudsters, tricksters, or simply put, magicians. There is a plethora of dead- beat ministries on the radio and so called “Christian” TV broadcast networks.
Of course in almost every corner in our towns and cities, houses built or rented in the name of the “propagation of the word of God” can be seen. The truth however is that, the simple, decent gospel of Jesus is being polluted with teachings about “sewing seeds” for financial gains and divine faith healing. Like in the time of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem when he observed that the temple of God was being used for corrupt commercial practices, God’s house has been turned once again in our times, into a den of thieves.
While there are many well meaning churches that actually contribute to peace and security in our nations, many others are formed with the sole aim of amassing riches by fooling poor, vulnerable congregations who are encouraged to make generous financial contributions with false assurances that they would be blessed, healed and become rich. All of a sudden, a “mighty, powerful, gifted” preacher emerges and establishes a church which he cleverly gives a name that is so attractive that even the most skeptical person will be tempted to register in.
You must have heard of churches such as, “ House of Healing”, “Zion Charismatic Church”, “Destiny Church”, “House of Redemption”, “Rock of Ages”, “Soul Savers” to name a few? Like in choosing the names they give to their churches, these phoney church leaders also smartly choose the most attractive titles such Prophet X, Apostle Y, Dr Z. Some are even Bishops. Only God knows how they got ordained.
With no formal training in Religion or Ministry, they set up these new churches falsely claiming that they have been called, touched and anointed by God to spread the “Good News”. Sadly, the Gospel of Jesus, the “Good News For Modern Man” becomes the “Gospel of Wealth, Good News for Gold Diggers and fortune Hunters.”
The encyclopaedia of American Religious History explains that the “Charismatic Movement” got its name from “charismata” which is Greek for “spiritual gifts”. The leaders of the charismatic churches around us claim that the spiritual gifts exhibited by the apostles of Jesus can still be manifest in modern day Christians. This is why they claim gifts of spiritual healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues.
In James Chapter 5, the Bible makes it very clear that it is the “prayer of faith” which heals the sick-not the presumptuousness of a false prophet. If anything, the world is yet to witness a single credible miracle since the time of that great Man Jesus when crowds witnessed water being turned into wine or thousands being fed with 5 loaves and the blind regaining their sight. We are yet to see a single true prophet since the days of Moses, Amos, Joshua, Elijah or Elisha. Yes, we are yet to witness the presumptuous, cunning, charismatic “faith healers” of our times cure a headache, not to mention making a blind member of their congregation regain their sight or restoring life to a dead rat.
WHY DO THESE FALSE PROPHETS THRIVE?
If no legitimate faith healers exist, why do all these new churches overflow with crowds of followers? The answer is simple. The owners of fake ministries live amongst us and before becoming “prophets,” they experience human hardship and feel the pinch of the economic crunch like any of us.
They clearly know what the crowds love to hear. In short, they know the areas to exploit to touch the minds of their very needy congregations: job acquisition and job security, business success, visas and immigration, relationships, personal success and fame etc
They exploit the vulnerability of followers all of whom are deceived by false assurances that their problems will be solved without any doubt. Indeed, while true Christianity will preach faithful prayer and repentance for the healing of souls, our charismatic preachers emphasize the need for God’s people to generously “give to God” to gain salvation and human happiness. “Give now because God loves a cheerful giver. Give now because the need is great.”
It is without doubt that many of these charlatans are making God look like a destitute, desperate and needy gatekeeper who requires the gifts or bribes of followers in order for Him to open for them the gates of His kingdom. God’s blessing has been turned into merchandise that can be purchased with silver and gold.
THE MAGIC TRICKS OF SURVIVAL
The “church business” like every business faces stiff competition and the leaders have therefore got to do everything to remain in operation and make their daily profits or gains. The preachers have a daily need to assure their followers that they are one or two steps ahead of the others and to achieve these, many tricks come into play.
Amen and Halleluya: These are the magic or code words you will hear every second in any charismatic congregation. The preachers ensure that the followers are hypnotized to such an extent that they believe that whatever they say comes directly from God and therefore must be believed. To assure themselves that the people believe what they say, they keep asking them to reinforce what they say: “somebody shout halleluya. Somebody shout amen.” Indeed if you watch these sermons on TV or visit these churches out of curiousity, you will hear the conned followers screaming, “halleluia,” “amen” and looking up the ceiling as if expecting God’s hand to descend and drop down riches or the favours for which they have come to the “house of worship.”
Promise of Financial Bonanza
The false prophets exploit greedy minds by promising a financial bonanza that comes with “giving to God”. On 11.10.09, I watched a so called religious broadcast on TV by a preacher called Mike Murdock. The whole sermon which I listened to for a whole hour was all about financial blessings and the need for followers to pay tithes to his church. He emphasized the need to give in order to receive and he was very clear that what you will receive from God will be proportionate to what you give.
Below are a few things said by this preacher that I managed to scribble down while I watched and listened to the sermon:
1. “May God bring you miracle money. But remember, nothing leaves Heaven until something leaves the Earth” (Do the millions collected ever leave the house or bank account of this pastor and go to heaven ? )
2. “Any time God blesses me, He tells me to bless you”. ( He wants his worshippers to believe that he has direct contact with God. )
3. “At age 21, I posted a cheque for $50/00 to a church for a good cause. A week later, while playing the organ in church, a couple walked up to me and gave me a cheque for a £100/00 saying, “God has asked us to bless you with this gift.” (He wants worshippers to empty their purses, starve themselves and their families in the name of “good causes” in the hope of receiving a double reward. )
4. “I will pray for God to give you a thousand dollar seed to sew, to create the harvest. God answers my prayers.” (Again, empty your wallets. I am favoured by God and I will plead on your behalf )
5. Give generously now for everything God touches multiplies. People need the harvest more than they need the seed.” ( People should give everything they have, for the more you give, the more you receive )
6. I will pray for you to experience 90 days of perpetual blessings-a financial bonanza. Take out you wallets and cheque books to be blest. Draw a picture of your wallet or cheque book if you do not have it now and I will bless it. Give generously. If you keep what you have, that is your harvest. In order to multiply, what you have must go. You have to trade your present for the future.” ( His hands and mouth are blest. Only he alone will God listen to )
7. “Jesus said whatever you give me will be multiplied a hundred fold” (Was Jesus a beggar and was he actually referring to money or material things?)
At the end of every sentence of this foolery, the passionate crowds cheered, “Amen, Halleluya.”
THE TRICKERY OF THE “HOLY SPIRIT”
It is not uncommon to see these pastors call members of their congregations to come forward to be touched and be blest. They pretend to have the power of the holy spirit and the followers who are touched can be observed trembling as if shocked by an electric current.
They go backwards and pretend they are falling down and the trained apprentices of the preachers stand by to hold them and prevent them from being knocked down by the “holy” spirit. Sometimes the preachers blow towards the audience and whole sections fall over in their seats.
This to me is a trained emotional response that has nothing to do with the Holy Spirit. Please read the piece below which I extracted from an article in the internet titled: Uganda Based Pastor Denies Miracle Scam
“A Uganda-based preacher has denied charges he tried to import an electric shock machine to make people believe he could pass on the Holy Spirit. "This is a toy. It was sent for my daughters' birthday," Ghanaian Kojo Nana Obiri-Yeboah told the BBC. The machine was seized at Entebbe airport and police are investigating. The pastor told the BBC that during his prayers, members of the congregation "act as the spirit comes in them". The website of the company Yigal Mesika, which makes the "Electric Touch" machine, among other magic tricks, says: "Charge a spoon, keys or coins and watch as it shocks a volunteer! "They will believe you have supernatural powers!" The person doing the trick wears the machine and gets an electric charge, which they can transfer to people or objects. Uganda's Ethics and Integrity Minister James Nsaba Buturo has asked police for a report into the activities of churches, such as Mr Obiri-Yeboah's”.
TESTIMONIES
To attract more followers or tithe payers, the rogues arrange for people to give false testimonies of having been cured of an illness or being saved from trouble by the miracles of the false prophet. Several times you would have witnessed an old lady coming up to say, “I suffered from aching limbs for 15 years. All medicines failed to cure me until I came to this church.” The examples of false testimonies abound.
If faith healers are put to the test, they will fail every time. There is a big difference between saying and doing. Faith healers point to testimonies to support their claims, but testimonies are really cheap things. Some people will testify to anything. We need these faith healers to enter into the hospitals and empty the beds of its patients. This is where miracles are badly needed. Imagine the millions of HIV sufferers around the globe that need miracles. Certainly, this will not happen because our faith healers are only con artists, liars and false prophets that are “possessed” by a craving to possess.
Tongues – Our faith healers want people to believe they can perform miracles. To build this false impression they imitate as often as possible the gifts of the Spirit given to the early church. This is done to show that they are legitimate because they have the "anointing."
It is quite common to hear many false prophets babbling like a one-year-old imitating speaking with the gift of tongues. These are only putting on an act. Indeed these preachers are actual actors: drama kings and queens whose theatricals in the pulpit, or should I say on stage, will qualify them for an Oscar award.
The Biblical gift of tongues is the ability for people to hear the gospel in their language when someone else speaks in their language. This gift helped the Apostles spread the gospel around the world. I do not believe anyone has the gift of tongues today.
LESSON TO LEARN
All of us whether at home or abroad have needs we desperately need to meet: jobs security, visas, immigration/Green Cards, relationships, business, health, power, fame etc. The need to meet these needs make us vulnerable and easy prey to rogues who are keen to exploit our vulnerabilities to their advantage.
Making easy wealth and ruining helpless people’s lives has become the preoccupation of con artists who thrive in their business by using religion and the name of God. Beware of these wolves in sheep’s clothing whose tongues are coated with sugar and honey up and down.
We must NOT compromise or water down the truth. These people are all about making filthy-lucre. It takes more than a loose tongue and a few "hallelujahs" to fool a Christian who is familiar with his or her Bible (1611 King James Bible). Faith healers masquerade as "God's Anointed" yet they turn the gift of salvation into a charismatic infomercial with the goal of getting their hands on your money. They should be ashamed, but they are not.
The true Christian God is not a poor man who will ask his people to give a hundred dollars in order to be favoured with two hundred dollars. God cannot be bribed and His blessings are not for sale. Do not desert your traditional church in the hope of finding quick fixes to your health, social and material problems in the charismatic churches headed by charlatans. Are you destined to be next victim of determined shameless rogues that will ask you every second of their sermons to shout halleluya?
They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Be warned.
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