The President and Founder, Global Harvest Church, Pastor Victor Adeyemi, has attributed the need for private jets by clerics in the country to challenges of evangelism.
Adeyemi spoke on Sunday during the first anniversary of Global Harvest Church, Outer Ring Road branch, Ibadan.
The clergy said recent criticism by the public on the perceived affluent lifestyles of men of God was needless considering the challenges attached to their calling and the need to meet up with the demands of their duties.
He said, “It is very unfortunate that the acquisition of private jets has coloured the image of the pentecostal churches. They accuse many of living lavish lifestyles and just looking for comfort at the expense of the poor congregation. For me, it is a matter of perspective. Looking at a nation like ours where there is high prevalence of poverty, you can think that way.
“Of course, I cannot hold brief for people who have acquired one. However, I can certainly tell you that one of the people that own one has branches of their churches in well over 100 nations of the world.
“As a businessman or a preacher who runs a very busy schedule requiring you to be in several nations of the world within days or in a week, you may need it.
“On a particular mission from Kenya to Nigeria we had a convention in Nigeria, and we were stuck at the airport in Kinshasha, Zaire for more than 12 hours before we were able to get a connecting flight to Nigeria.”
The cleric explained that the need to attend urgent programmes and safety required the men of God to buy private jets.
Adeyemi, who also attributed poor infrastructure in Africa to poverty and lack of willpower to deliver good governance by the leadership, said that “It is certain that evil rulers will eat the fruits of their doings.”
The Pastor in Charge, Global Harvest Church, Outer Ring Road branch, Ibadan, Olumide Adewumi, warned that members of the public should be safety-conscious during the coming Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Source: Punch
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