- Pastor Chris said the fire incident makes it easy for him to rebuild the church to his taste
- He further said people should expect a bigger church than what was razed down
- Nigerians have reacted to the incident, including former governor Peter Obi
The founder of LoveWorld Incorporated church, popularly known as Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has said the fire incident on Sunday, June 23, at the church’s headquarters was not an accident but an opportunity for bigger and better things.
Oyakhilome stated this during the Sunday service of June 23 at the church’s campground in Asese, Ogun State, noting the fire outbreak would give him the opportunity to do what he had always wished for, which is to tranform the outlook of the church building.
He said, Some years ago, I wished I had a better design for the affected place. But then, it would have required that we take off the roof. But now, I’ve got the opportunity to have something better there.
“When something like this happens, what does God think? God just gives us an opportunity to do something about it. What are we going to do? The house is gone, we clear out the place and build a better one. A more beautiful one. That is what we are going to do and the devil will lick his wound,” Oyakhilome added.
It was reported that the fire, which started around 7am and was put off around 3:10pm, destroyed both the administrative block and the main auditorium of the church headquarters in Oregun, Lagos State.
Dr. Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, General Manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, while speaking on the incident, said they were able to contain the fire and tried their best to address the secondary challenges, such as structural defects and evacuations.
She also stated that there were no injuries or casualties despite the huge fire.
Reactions trail the fire incident at Oyakhilome’s church
Reacting to the incident, Nigerians took to social media to express their concern, including Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023.
Obi sympathised with the founder in his tweet where he stated, “My thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with the founder of the Church, Revered Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the entire church membership, and the community affected by this tragic incident,” Peter Obi shared on X.
J. C. Okechukwu commented on X, “I don’t know what led to the Christ Embassy Church fire and I won’t speculate ahead of investigations. But what I do know is that Pastor Chris has been a LONE voice from the pulpit against #BillGatesGMO. Just wanted to put that out there.”
In support, Edwin Miracle tweeted, “You're very right sir, his been speaking against there agenda #billgategmo this since last year , and several international media, have been trying hard to stop him.”
Kay also tweeted, “One thing is certain, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome will not only rebuild the Christ embassy church that caught fire today at Oregun, but he will erect a gigantic auditorium there. Man is steeze personified.”
However, The Count Finesses said “Na that one be your problem? Bigger church? Your church members never chop finish but go contribute/sow seed again and again... Una mumu no de finish.”
ija wa ija osi…Always Guarding added, “Your money is steeze personified for him. Ode.”
Jennifer also said on X, “Build a better one indeed, with all the hardship, the hunger, economic meltdown, sickness that people are going through in Nigeria, its to build a better church that concerns you, and the congregation are cheering to that, na una money him go use build am.”