Tito Watts, a Zimbabwean “pastor,” wins the 2018 gold cup for Conman of the Year because of his daring originality in hoodwinking the gullible. In an industry that one thought had exhausted its bag of tricks, Watts and his wife Amanda devised a scam in which they sold “tickets to heaven.” For $500 a ticket, the buyer was guaranteed judgement-free entry into heaven.
The silver medal goes to Paul Sanyangore, another Zimbabwean “pastor” who used his cellphone to consult with “Papa God” for assistance in solving a woman’s problem. The gullible congregation lapped it up and emptied their pockets to sow seeds of cash into the conman’s ministry.
The bronze medal goes to Dr. David Owuor, a Kenyan “prophet” who, once again, paralyzed Nakuru over the weekend when he rode into town, escorted by more than 40 vehicles that included armed police. Dr. Owuor, who heads the Ministry of Repentance and Holiness Church, has gained notoriety for his false claims to be a miracle worker.
These conmen are a tiny sample of fake “pastors” who are plying their trade across Sub-Saharan Africa, at the head of pseudo-evangelical churches that have nothing to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They have discovered that the Jesus Industry is a financially lucrative, low risk and low-cost investment that guarantees them very high yields.
Over the last 33 years, Uganda has witnessed an exponential proliferation of these exploitative outfits that have brought unimaginable wealth to clever hawkers of a distorted Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many operate under the umbrella of “miracle centres.” They are protected by the State, for their captive congregations are rich sources of political support.
The prosperity gospel, which enriches the pastors at the expense of their followers, has found fertile soil in a country with multiple problems, a desperate and gullible population that wants easy solutions, and a disconcerting willingness to believe whatever the sweet-tongued conmen offer from their pulpits.
The “pastors,” having become too many to count, have morphed into “apostles” and “prophets,” self-anointed men and women that are anything but these things. Their favourite identification, applied to them by journalists and other commentators, is “man of God.”
This is a false term for these men whom Jesus warns us against in Matthew 24; 4-5: “Watch out that no one deceives you,” Jesus says. “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.’ In Verse 24, Jesus adds: “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
“A man of God” is a term that is very rarely used in the Bible. Out of the 3,237 people whose names are recorded in the Bible, only 13 are referred to as “a man of God.” The term is only applied to people like David, Elijah, Elisha, Micah, Moses, Samuel and Timothy, the last one being the only New Testament person accorded this term.
The modern usage of the term to refer to anyone with a dog collar or other claim to be a pastor is a fraud. However, if loose use of the term is legitimate, then it ought to be applied to every male who has accepted Jesus as his saviour and is committed to living and serving in a manner that uplifts the Name of the Lord. Of course the sisters should be called "women of God."
One measure of a church’s impact is its role in uplifting the physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing of the community. Whereas the primary function of a church is evangelism and discipleship (nurturing and maturing of believers), it should try to support community development, as has been outstandingly demonstrated by the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches.
Uganda’s famed primary and secondary school education standards during the seven decades between 1910 and 1980 was the work of those two established churches. Likewise, church-founded hospitals across the country have a long history of excellent and transformative service at minimal cost to the patients.
The two churches’ pastoral work has guided the spiritual and moral lives of millions and indirectly assisted the state and society in the creation of a peaceful and law-abiding milieu.
It is true, of course, that the rivalry between the Anglican and Catholic Churches has had a negative impact on Uganda’s organized politics. It is also true that some of the leaders in those churches have engaged in corrupt, divisive or abusive behaviours that have not honoured the Name of the Lord.
However, the long-established heritage and robust management and supervision of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches have been a check on the potential excesses of their priests and bishops. The Anglican Revival Movement (Balokole) has been a force for good, promoting a gospel-centred church and life, denouncing worldly wealth and other sinful pursuits, and encouraging public confession of sin and spiritual growth.
Not so the majority of evangelical churches, especially the “miracle” performing merchants that run pastor-centred, not Christ-centred, outfits. Sucking cash out of their followers is their central purpose. Self-aggrandisement is their calling card.
I believe in freedom of religious belief and worship. Ugandans have a right to join whatever church they fancy. However, I reject the notion that people have a right to deceive others, to harvest vast sums of money under false pretences, to pay no taxes on their loot and to enjoy stolen honour in the land without being called out.
The Apostle Paul already calls them out in his letter to Philippians 3:18 where he writes: “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”
Investigative journalists should double their efforts in 2019, work with reformed and other honest pastors with inside knowledge to expose the rot in these cults.