Debatably, some people are of the view that the men of God have chosen to sacrifice their lives to serve him by winning souls for the kingdom, and for that matter should not be interested in material wealth.
Show off pastors of the year 2018
Pastors are basically supposed to be servants of God and sort of be an intermediary between their followers and the Almighty God.
Some also hold the view that pastors are also human beings with blood flowing through their veins and have families to cater for, so they must not be destitute.
There are also calls for taxation of some aspects of the church’s businesses because they are perceived to be huge money making ventures for pastor.
While the debate continues, some pastors have developed thick skin to the claim by some members of the society that they feed fat on their miserable congregation.
Some of them have engaged in impudent exhibitionism which looked like a competition among a certain class of pastors.
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For instance, in February, a video showed Pastor Alph Lukau, founder and General Overseer of Alleluia Ministries International based in South Africa entering his church, and the manner in which his church members ushered him in raised eyebrows.
In the viral video that was reportedly uploaded on the pastor’s own YouTube channel, he is seen entering the church apparently to preach in a presidential-style.
Pastor Alph Lukau arrived in a white Rolls Royce with horse riders leading the long convoy, while the police outriders followed leading the preacher onto a red carpet.
Aside that, Ushers were also lined up on the streets, while some church leaders waited at the venue filled to capacity by thousands of people just to welcome the ‘man of God.
The outrageous display of affluence by the pastor, though not unprecedented, sparked mixed reactions on social media.
While some criticised the extravagant lifestyles by pastors at the expense of their poor church members, others thought that men of God must display the glory of God to the world
Also, in October, a Kenyan female preacher described as the country’s sexiest pastor has got tongues wagging after photos of her fleet of customised luxury cars and her personal security details were posted online.
Reverend Lucy Natasha, founder and overseer of Prophetic Latter Glory Ministries, has been described by local media as Kenya’s sexist preacher.
She is said to have become so popular that she reportedly rubs shoulders with prominent Kenyans including President Uhuru Kenyatta, Mike Sonko, among others.
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The much sought after conference speaker and celebrated author of many books is still single, but claims to be waiting on God for a suitable man to settle down with.
“I would like to marry a man after God’s own heart, one that will be my best friend nd is sincere,” the woman of God said.
Reports say Reverend Natasha was ordained four years ago, and has since visited more than 20 countries, preaching the word of God.
Many people have been wondering how such a young preacher has been able to make so much wealth, but she said she owes everything to God.
What is amazing is her fleet of cars, all bearing number plates Oracles 1-7, which reports say could collectively be worth more Sh10 million.
According to gistreel.com, ‘Oracle 1’, which is said to be her favourite, is a 3000cc Toyota Harrier Lexus, which is estimated to be Sh4 million.
Reverend Natasha has an all-male security guards with whom she reportedly goes everywhere with.
See more photos below:
Here in Ghana, Bishop Daniel Obinim, the Founder of the International God's Way Church purchased a brand-new Rolls Royce worth a whopping $300,000 in June, leaving some Ghanaians drooling.
Interestingly, when some people expressed misgivings about the flamboyant lifestyle of the controversial man of God, he said that $300,000 was “small for me right now”.
He further pontificated that “Jesus Christ has changed my name for me from reverend, pastor, pastor, bishop now I’m an angel.”
As if he deliberately wanted to hurt the feelings of his impoverished followers, Obinim added that he is not “a poor person… [now] I’m a rich person.”
He heightened the amazement of Ghanaians when he declared that he has money in four different bank, some of which accounts are abroad.
“The money I have right now in my bank account, I can buy four or five times,” he bragged about his ability to procure more expensive cars.
The popularity Daniel Obinim enjoyed following the purchase of the luxury car was apparently an indirect challenge to his colleague, Prophet Asanteman Bofuor, better known as Reverend Obofour, General Overseer of Anointed Palace Chapel.
To show that he is equally wealthy enough to purchase Rolls Royce, he also purchased 2018 Rolls Royce Phantom the following month at a whopping $450,000.
The Kumasi-based pastor made a video of himself and the wife showing off the luxury car, boasting that: “We [are] buying it from the showroom. Not a joke…this is 2018 Rolls Royce Phantom. Soon you will see us launching it in Ghana and you will love it.”
Watch video below:
Then, in September, the man of God was in the news again for purchasing a car estimated at a little under GHC200,000 for his daughter. Reports say he bought the Ford Mustang for his little girl on her ninth birthday.
A video circulated online showing the little girl sitting in the brand-new car saying: "Daddy I love the car."
These impudent exhibition of wealth by some of these contemporary pastors has rekindled the debate of whether churches should be made to pay taxes.
Recently, it was reported that the Ghana Revenue Authority has initiated processes to start taxing the sale of anointing oil by pastors.
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