Did TB Joshua Glorify God Or Himself?

Ghana FIFA World Cup Victory: Did TB Joshua Glorify God Or Himself?

“Is it Africa? Is it Africa? It is!” These were the words that came from the commentator’s mouth in the dying seconds of that historical game – it was a moment which will be forever etched in the hearts of all those that watched the match. Friday 16th October, 2009 was a special day for all Africans who tuned in to watch the live World Cup Match - Ghana’s Black Satellite’sversus Brazil. Ghana became the first African team to win the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. It was indeed Africa! With celebrations underway in Ghana and other nations of Africa, a much publicised issue seemed to overtake and almost overshadow the African victory. Rather than news media focusing on the African victory, TB Joshua became the focus of their attention.

TB Joshua had apparently spoken to Coach Sellas Tetteh before and during the match and with his prophetic insight guided the Black Satellite’s to a World Cup victory through telephone conversations by specifying which player should take the penalty shoot-outs. Everything was recorded and played during the live service on Emmanuel TV with footage showing TB Joshua speaking with both Coach Tetteh and the Number 10 player whom he advised should play the first penalty. It was a surprise to many. Controversy was sparked.

Many Ghana media criticised TB Joshua of proclaiming he was the reason for the Black Satellite’s victory against Brazil. Angry insults were hurled at the Nigerian Prophet and things really got out of hand with many believing that this event had undermined men of God in Ghana and Ghanaians in general. Knowing that there are always two sides to a story, it was quite surprising to hear little from the accused himself – TB Joshua. Perhaps being a man of God, he chose not to retaliate. Having listened to TB Joshua talk concerning the event, I was humbled by his own account. *“The coach called me in the morning of the battle in Egypt and said I should join them in prayers. I considered this as a great honour because there are many great men of God in Ghana that had also been standing in the gap for the team. And I was one of these called to join in prayer for the team. There are great men of God in Ghana. We are all prayer warriors...” *

During his Sunday service broadcast live on Emmanuel TV, TB Joshua actually modestly stated that he was the least of the pastors and that he felt humbled that God would use him when there are greater men of God in Ghana. He further stated, *“One thing you must know about ministers of God, we cannot change God’s opinion. We can only know God’s will concerning the situation and when we know God’s will concerning the situation, we tell you. When we tell you, it will help you to guard against mistake and error. We are servants; we are just being used”.*

Does this sound like someone who is claiming glory for himself? TB Joshua recognises himself as a servant of God. A true man of God boasts not in what he does for God but boasts in what God does in his life and he never exalts himself above God. TB Joshua never for a moment exalted himself but sought and spoke the mind of God – nothing more. As he said, *“The secret is that there is no way I will come out and say, we will win. But what I can do, as a man of God, is to seek the mind of God concerning any situation and interpret the mind of God correctly without removing or adding anything. That is the work of prophets – to deliver God’s message as you receive it,”*

I was quite saddened by the discrimination this Nigerian pastor faced on the basis of his nationality, particularly as he himself believed, in this event, that as men of God, they were all united in one spirit and one body to pray for the nation Ghana and their players - the Black Satellite’s. Being a Ghanaian myself, I have to admit that I was ashamed at the undeserved criticism and treatment he received. Why did it matter that God used a Nigerian pastor to guide a Ghanaian victory? Indeed I am sure that if God had used a man of God who happened to be Ghanaian to successfully guide a Nigerian World Cup victory, we would not complain. This would have been a perfect occasion to prove our African unity amongst other nations of the world.

I humbly address my people, Ghanaians - let us stop criticizing one another out of jealousy, ignorance or misunderstandings. I believe that if we embrace pastors, men of God and prophets from other nations in humility, that God will exalt us as a nation to accomplish great feats which extend way beyond football!

Kwabina Owusu-Darko