Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, a beloved Nigerian pastor, who passed away on June 5, will be laid to rest on July 9, his church announced on Friday.
A candlelight procession will be held on July 5 while an all-night service of songs will take place on July 6.
The beloved Nigerian pastor will lie-in-state on July 8 before he is laid to rest the next morning on July 9.
The church said it will hold a thanksgiving service for Prophet T.B. Joshua on July 11.
Joshua suddenly passed away in the commercial city of Lagos, southwest Nigeria, on June 5, 2021, after speaking during his Emmanuel TV partners meeting, just days to his 58th birthday celebration on June 12, 2021.
“God has taken His servant Prophet TB Joshua home – as it should be by divine will. His last moments on earth were spent in the service of God. This is what he was born for, lived for and died for,” read the church’s statement posted on social media.
It quoted Prophet TB Joshua’s own words, “The greatest way to use life is to spend it on something that will outlive it”, and said he leaves “a legacy of service and sacrifice to God’s Kingdom that is living for generations yet unborn.”
“The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations and Emmanuel TV Family appreciate your love, prayers and concern at this time and request a time of privacy for the family. Here are Prophet TB Joshua’s last words: “Watch and pray.” One life for Christ is all we have; one life for Christ is so dear,” the statement added.
While he was alive, T.B. Joshua touched many lives, and fed thousands of people every month. His church said he has accomplished his mission on earth and has gone back to be with the Lord.
