The Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has directed the leadership of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries to review how testimonies are shared at their gatherings following a controversial one that recently went viral.
In the incident that sparked the controversy, a member of the Lord’s Chosen church shared a testimony during a service where she claimed that an elderly man appeared to her in an examination hall, providing answers to questions on an exam. The woman also claimed to have passed on these answers to a fellow member of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries who was present at the time.
The testimony quickly gained attention online and drew sharp criticism from many, including the Lagos CAN Chairman, Bishop Stephen Adegbite. Speaking on the issue, Adegbite described the account as an “utter fabrication,” urging caution in the way such testimonies are presented.
“We had the meeting last Friday at the CAN secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos,” Adegbite said, referring to a meeting held to address the matter. “Representatives of the church were there, and we told them to be careful and review the pattern of their testimonies. It is only a madman who would think otherwise.”
The meeting was attended by over 100 representatives, including the five bloc leaders of CAN and coordinators from the 57 local government areas in Lagos. According to Adegbite, the meeting reached a consensus on rejecting any testimonies that are misleading or unreasonable. “We reject vehemently any testimony that is not reasonable and sensible, which can be misleading and bring disrepute to the name of Christ. We reject it in its entirety,” he said.
He added that church leaders were advised to vet what their members plan to say before allowing them to speak publicly. “We told the leaders to ensure that they ask their members what they want to say before giving them the microphone. If what they want to say is not good for public consumption, it should be disallowed,” Adegbite emphasized.
In closing, Adegbite reminded the church that while miracles do occur, they must be presented with truthfulness and integrity. “God still performs miracles. We must say the truth and nothing but the truth,” he said, reiterating the Christian association’s stance on responsible testimony sharing.
The directive from Lagos CAN highlights growing concerns about the impact of sensational testimonies on the reputation of churches and the Christian community at large. The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries is expected to address the concerns raised and ensure that future testimonies align with Christian values and truthfulness.
