Kingdom
Mega-rich pastors dwelling in million pound houses prey on believers with claims of curing fatal illnesses… – The Solar

A Solar investigation unearths the lavish worlds of Britain’s loaded pastors together with plush mansions, a £120k celebration and worshippers thrust 1000’s of direct debit paperwork every week
THESE are the mega-rich messengers of God whose church buildings are raking in thousands and thousands from their worshippers in one of the poorest portions of Britain.
Pastors Matthew Ashimolowo and Alex Omokudu reside in sprawling seven-figure mansions whilst their massive congregations are informed at hand over cash continuously directly from their salaries.
In the meantime, the preachers lead products and services wherein it’s claimed other folks were cured of life-threatening diseases – a few of them at the spot.
The Solar discovered Omokudu continues to advertise movies comparable to one claiming a tender boy has been cured of most cancers whilst the pastor puts his fingers on him. His church has been warned through government about probably exploiting other folks with critical diseases.
We witnessed worshippers being informed "God desires you to present all of your cash to him" and warned about appearing "disobedience to God" sooner than being passed direct debit paperwork.
The pastors declare to proportion their wealth with those that want it however we will be able to divulge the monetary dealings that have noticed them achieve lavish existence maximum worshippers can handiest dream of.
Pastor Alex Omokudu claims to be "closely anointed with therapeutic powers from God" and his church takes greater than £1million a yr in donations from his trustworthy following.
Omokudu moved to the United Kingdom from Nigeria in 2002 and introduced Victorious Pentecostal Meeting (VPA) 3 years later.
Lately, the 53-year-old – who is known as Daddy through his flock – owns a lavish £2million nine-bedroom mansion in leafy Hornchurch, Essex.
The lavish gated mansion comprises 5 reception rooms, a swimming pool, a sauna and a 250ft lawn.
He additionally owns a 2d £600,000 assets a brief distance away.
Regardless of his sumptuous way of life, his web site states: "My wealth belongs to the folk, no matter I’ve I give out. Persons are struggling and wish assist."
In the meantime, worshippers are successfully leaned on to drain their wallet to 'the God of VPA'.
The principle church in Barking, East London, is attended through round 5,000 worshippers each and every week and lies inside some of the disadvantaged spaces in the United Kingdom.
VPA additionally operates in run-down portions of Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford and Luton.
Our reporter attended a provider at VPA's Barking church and joined 1000’s of other folks many times informed: "Give your cash to God to get forward of others".
The provider began with a lot of testimonies of other folks claiming to have skilled miracles after praying to 'the God of VPA' and requests from the ones in search of assist.
One teen about to sit down his A-level checks was once informed: "While you input that examination corridor, God will fill your head with the solutions".
The congregation was once then learn a passage from 2 Kings 4 wherein a girl unearths herself in debt and is informed to gather empty packing containers from her neighbours which God fills with oil to promote.
"Give your cash to God to get forward of others… give your cash to God to get forward of others" repeats the pastor.
A lot of identical words have been repeated as the quantity of the song grew slowly within the transformed place of job block.
The pastor added: "God desires you to present all of your cash to Him.. give all of your cash to Him.
"There’s no excuse to not give your cash to God… he sees any cash you could have coming. You can’t disguise cash from God.
"The church of VPA and Pastor Alex Omokudu will ship you prosperity."
Because the song constructed to a crescendo, direct debit paperwork emerged – and worshippers have been informed to return to the entrance and "pay your tithes".
However whilst vowing to serve the congregation who quit £1m-a-year, Omokudu additionally for my part takes an annual £102,000 in hire for the church they worship in.
Alex Omokudu has in the past been warned through government for announces that includes claims over miracle therapeutic.
Pictures from VPA's Barking church presentations the mansion-dwelling pastor many times telling his worshippers they’ve been cured sooner than the congregation's eyes.
In a single case filmed remaining yr, he’s introduced with an eight-year-old boy whose mom stated he was once affected by a tumour 'in his eyes'.
Omokudu then takes 'anointing oil' and puts his hand at the boy's head.
Whilst massaging the boy's cranium, he says: "Within the identify of God the daddy, God the son, God the holy spirit, I claim this head to be loose from tumour."
He then many times states: "It’s carried out, it’s carried out" sooner than shouting: "Not more tumour! Shout 'Jesus'!"
As the kid walks away, he provides: "He might not be right here back".
VPA has two times been fined through Ofcom for making claims the church has cured other folks of most cancers and HIV on its tv channel.
Imagine TV, was once slammed through the regulator in 2011 and 2012 for announces that includes Omokudu, claiming: "Medical doctors shouldn’t have the solution – we’ve got were given the solution. We’ve got were given the solution to therapeutic."
A ruling said: "Given the content material was once soliciting a reaction from audience and folks experiencing critical diseases who is also at risk of the therapeutic claims being made… Ofcom discovered there was once a subject matter chance that vulnerable individuals of the target market is also exploited through the fabric."
Our investigation discovered Omokudu purchased the valuables for £1m with the assistance of a mortgage from London-based Kenyan nationwide referred to as Kennedy Kulei.
The pastor – who in the past described separation as a sin – divorced from his spouse of 15 years Patricia remaining yr and 3 months later married a Russian girl just about 30 years his junior.
He defined the verdict to his fans, announcing in an interview: "I’ve already remarried. I didn’t need to remarry however God stated I must get out of it and consoled me."
Matthew Ashimolwo, 65, introduced Kingsway Global Christian Centre in 1992 from a rented corridor.
Twenty-five years later the church additionally has £16.4m in belongings, £500,000 within the financial institution and rakes in additional than £8m in income a yr.
Movies display him asking his worshippers to put their fingers on portions in their frame the place they’re troubled through illnesses sooner than announcing "each and every illness and illness on your frame I command it to go away you" sooner than telling them "you don’t have any illnesses and illnesses".
KICC – which principally operates in Walthamstow and the recently-acquired 'Prayer Town' construction in Chatham, Kent – takes £6.3m a yr from tithing, the place the congregation provides up 10 according to cent of its wage.
The church additionally has a military of one,000 volunteers who supply it with greater than 300,000 hours of loose labour, value greater than £2m-a-year.
However whilst claiming to 'move on his riches' Ashimolowo – described because the church's 'founder, visionary and senior pastor' – lives hire loose in a £1.1m nine-bedroom house in Romford, Essex, owned through the church.
Paperwork acquired through The Solar display the valuables was once bought through the charity with out a loan.
The Nigerian-born pastor lives with spouse Yemisi, 58, who may be a senior pastor on the church and believed to earn greater than £60,000-a-year from her function.
The couple owns a 2d £600,000 house in Grays, Essex, lately lived in through their son.
Ashimolowo was once in 2005 discovered through the Charity Fee to have used £120,000 of church budget to pay for a celebration for himself at a London resort, an £80,000 new Mercedes and a £13,000 Florida timeshare.
He was once additionally paid round £50,000-a-year through the church for 'pastoral products and services' sooner than the 2005 probe discovered he had flouted charity regulations through being a trustee and paying himself a wage.
The Charity Fee discovered there were 'critical misconduct and mismanagement' of charity budget and informed it to ascertain itself as a brand new charity with new trustees – which it did.
Greater than £500,000 was once additionally legally paid through the church to his personal non-public firms together with Matthew Ashimolowo Media Ministries which publishes books and DVDs of his teachings.
Accounts display the publishing corporate raked in additional than £2 million – creating a benefit of £877,000 – between 1999 and 2005 sooner than it began submitting much less detailed monetary statements underneath Firms Space regulations.
Talking about his wealth in an interview this yr, Ashimolowo stated: "Cash is known as forex as it flows to the place it’s celebrated, to anyplace it’s revered and confirmed it’s wanted and may also be treated neatly.
"Anything else God blesses me with I simply use to bless others. I don’t stack it someplace."
But if Solar On-line attended his church, a run-down transformed cinema in Walthamstow, East London, greater than 10 miles from Ashimolowo's plush house, the provider felt extra like a gross sales pitch.
A police probe is ongoing into £3.9m of budget which vanished after Kingsway Global Christian Centre invested thousands and thousands after receiving Olympics goldmine.
Bosses have been left with a providence after the charity's 10-acre website online on Waterden Street, Hackney, was once wanted for the London 2012 Olympics website online.
The world media centre – since taken over through BT Recreation – now stands at the website online which landed KICC £10m of taxpayers' cash.
After the sale in 2007, the church passed over £5m in 3 installments to former Premier League footballer Richard Rufus to put money into the monetary markets.
The previous Charlton defender and born-again Christian were appointed a director at KICC in 2005.
A Charity Fee investigation discovered handiest round £1m was once ever returned, that trustees 'didn’t workout enough care' when making an investment and there was once 'mismanagement within the management of the charity'.
The Solar can divulge Town of London Police has now handed a report to the Crown Prosecution Provider which is thinking about whether or not to press prison fees.
It’s understood Mr Rufus has no longer been arrested in reference to the prison investigation and denies any wrongdoing.
Matthew Ashimolowo isn’t a trustee of the charity and there is not any advice he’s interested in any wrongdoing.
The sermon, entitled 'The Energy of the Tithe', indexed 14 the explanation why worshippers must donate 10 according to cent in their source of revenue to the church.
Ashimolowo informed the congregation: "If you don’t pay the tithe, it’s like you don’t in point of fact believe God".
He labelled the cash an "insurance coverage towards Devil" and warned of the dire penalties of non-payment.
The millionaire – estimated to be value round £6 million through Forbes mag in 2011 – says refusal at hand over masses of kilos a month shall be noticed through God as "disobedience" and lead to it making "unattainable for him to free up your harvest".
He added: "Tithe is a great indicator of the place your middle is".
Round 1,000 worshippers – who shall be adopted through a 2d congregation of the day simply mins later – fill out charge paperwork and position them into buckets handed alongside the aisles.
Each church buildings failed to reply to repeated requests from The Solar for remark.
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God
The Friend Who Sticks Closer than a Brother

Embracing True Friendship: The Friend Who Sticks Closer Than a Brother
Friendship is a valuable asset that enriches our lives by providing companionship, support, and a shoulder to cry on. But have you ever had a buddy who goes above and beyond—someone who remains closer than a brother? In a world where relationships can be fickle, a friend who sticks by us through thick and thin is a rare and priceless gift.
More Than Just Blood Ties
Consider the tie between siblings, which is based on blood and shared history. Consider a buddy who is more than just a family member. “One who has untrustworthy friends soon comes to ruin,” says Proverbs 18:24 (NIV), “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
This verse describes a friendship that goes beyond basic conditions. It’s a bond founded on trust, loyalty, and real concern for one another.
Continuous Support
Consider a buddy who is present not only during happy times but also during difficult times. This type of friend is unconcerned about changing circumstances or personal gain. They provide their presence, encouragement, and steadfast support.
Jesus expresses the core of such friendship in John 15:13 (NIV): “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This selfless affection serves as the foundation for a lasting connection.
Journeys Together
Consider a friend you’ve shared many stages of life with—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. This shared experience forges a link that extends beyond surface-level exchanges. The value of companionship is brilliantly captured in Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NIV): “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
A friend who sticks closer than a brother is someone who goes beside us through life’s ups and downs, lending a solid hand and an ear to listen.
A Mirror of God’s Love
As a symbol of God’s love for us, consider the buddy who sticks closer than a brother. God Himself offers an unbroken, unchanging, and everlasting companionship. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” says the Bible in Romans 8:38–39.
God’s love is the ultimate paradigm of true friendship—a love that is not conditional but remains faithful regardless of what happens.
Conclusion: Value true friendship.
A friend who sticks closer to you than a sibling is a treasure to be treasured. This type of friendship is founded on love, trust, and mutual care rather than convenience or shared interests. May we seek to be that sort of friend to others in our lives, just as God offers us His unfailing love.
In a world where relationships can be fleeting, let us create friendships that will endure. Let us be the sort of friends who are present in both joy and sadness, who offer unconditional support, and who mirror God’s unfailing love. We are reminded of the beauty of true friendship, which clings closer than a brother, as we welcome and cherish these unique and valuable ties.
God
The Just God

The Just God: The Divine Balance of Justice and Mercy
The concept of justice is intertwined with the fabric of human society. We seek justice, responsibility, and reparation for wrongs done. But have you ever pondered a God who is not only just but also perfectly just? The Just God is a lighthouse of truth and righteousness, providing a profound awareness of justice and kindness that transcends human comprehension.
Justice in Pursuit
Consider a world where wrongdoers go unpunished and the disadvantaged have no recourse. The pursuit of justice is a natural human goal that reflects a feeling of rightness and order. And if we as humans value justice, how much more should the Creator of the universe, who is completely just?
According to Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV), “He is the rock; his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. He is a loyal God who does no wrong, who is straight and just. This verse reveals God’s character, which is characterized by unwavering justice.
Justice and Mercy in Balance
Consider yourself in front of a judge who holds you accountable for every action and decision you make. Imagine that same judge showing mercy and giving you a second opportunity despite the evidence against you. The just God is kind as well as just.
This delicate balance is captured in Psalm 103:10–11 (NIV): “He does not treat us as our sins deserve, nor does He repay us according to our iniquities. For his love for people who fear him is as high as the skies are above the earth. God’s justice is balanced by his unending love and kindness.
The Redemption of Justice
Consider a debt that you will never be able to repay—a debt of mistakes and wrongs that weigh heavy on your soul. In His perfect justice, the just God provides a solution. God provides a mechanism for justice to be served and redemption to be offered through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” says Romans 3:23–24 (NIV), “and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. This is an example of justice being met via the redemptive act of Christ’s sacrifice.
A Call to Justice
Consider a society in which justice is not simply a notion but a way of life. In our interactions with others, the just God calls us to exemplify justice. Micah 6:8 (NIV) states unequivocally, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. What does the Lord expect of you? Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
Living justly entails treating people with fairness, compassion, and respect, as the character of the just God requires.
Finishing: Adoring the Just God
The Just God asks us to comprehend the breadth of His justice—a justice that supports truth, requires accountability, and strikes a balance between mercy and justice. God’s justice and mercy merge in the person of Jesus Christ, offering us redemption and restoration.
May we turn to the just God as our ultimate standard as we traverse a world that frequently grapples with issues of fairness. May we seek His wisdom and counsel in order to live justly and treat others with love and justice. We find not only a paradigm of perfect justice but also an invitation to experience the transformative power of His kindness when we embrace the Just God.
God
The Pleasure of Serving Others: A Pathway to Achievement

The Pleasure of Serving Others: A Highway to Contentment
Have you ever ever felt the nice and cozy glow that effects from lending a serving to hand to a stranger, the enjoyment that lasts for days after the act of kindness? That emotion offers a way of the pride of serving to others. The straightforward act of serving to can give us a sense of function and pleasure in contrast to the rest in a society that incessantly pushes us to place our consideration on ourselves.
The Want to Serve
Believe a society the place everybody labored to fortify the lives of people of their instant neighborhood. The need to lend a serving to hand, proportion a load, and supply comfort is on the core of carrier. The instance used to be established through Jesus Himself when he stated, “For even the Son of Guy didn’t come to be served, however to serve, and to provide his lifestyles as a ransom for plenty of.” (NIV, Mark 10:45)
Serving others is extra than just a nice deed; it is a way to emulate the compassion and love that Christ proven for us.
Discovering Pleasure in Selfless Giving
Believe spending time with the aged or going to a neighborhood refuge to hear their stories and cause them to really feel essential. Those tiny acts of kindness won’t appear to be a lot, however they be capable to make any person’s day higher, create relationships, and toughen a sense of group.
A better feeling of pleasure emerges after we set aside our personal issues and be aware of the wishes of others. The Bible admonishes us, “Every of you can use no matter present you’ve gotten won to serve others, as trustworthy stewards of God’s grace in its more than a few paperwork.” (NIV) 1 Peter 4:10 We specific the particular talents God has given us through serving others, and it’s in those deeds of carrier that we discover authentic pleasure.
Have an effect on Unmeasurable
Take into consideration the impact if all of us realized to experience serving to others. If we take a bit spoil from our tense schedules to lend a hand a neighbor, supply a sympathetic ear, or donate cash to a reason we reinforce. Small acts of kindness have the facility to unfold, sparking a sequence response of generosity and optimistic exchange.
In step with the NIV translation of Matthew 25:40, Jesus stated, “Actually I inform you, no matter you probably did for this sort of least of those brothers and sisters of mine, you probably did for me.” No longer simplest can we fortify the lives of other folks we serve, however we additionally perform Jesus’ command to like and deal with the ones round us.
Development Relationships and Connections
Believe the sensation of camaraderie that comes from cooperating with others to reach a shared purpose. Folks come in combination via carrier, growing ties and friendships that differently won’t have took place. It serves as a reminder that we’re all part of a broader group, and that group would possibly take pleasure in the acts we do.
Serving others permits us to peer the arena from many angles and to realize the demanding situations and victories of other folks round us. Our lives are enriched and {our relationships} are deepened through this sensitivity.
Conclusion: Discovering Contentment Via Carrier
Every people has a skill that is able to be opened: the pleasure of serving to others. It serves as a reminder that our lives are meant to be about extra than just our personal pursuits; they’re an opportunity to fortify the lives of others.
Let’s thus embody the pride of serving to others, if it is by means of deeds of kindness, volunteering, or simply being conscious about their wishes. The easy act of serving would possibly supply mild and hope in a global that every so often turns out overwhelming. As we emulate Christ and prolong ourselves in love, we no longer simplest exchange the lives of others but additionally revel in a deep feeling of success and enjoyment that overflows into our personal hearts.
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