One of the most popular and controversial evangelical pastors in Africa has died at 57 of unknown causes. Temitope Balogun Joshua, known as T.B., founded the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Nigeria. He died on Saturday after speaking in a meeting on his television channel, Emmanuel TV. His death was announced on his official Facebook page, which said his last words were “Watch and pray.” “God has taken His servant Prophet TB Joshua home — as it should be by divine will,” the announcement on Facebook read on Sunday. “His last moments on earth were spent in the service of God. This is what he was born for, lived for and died for.” Mr. Joshua was one of Nigeria’s millionaire class of Pentecostal pastors, many of whom preach a prosperity gospel that some say was imported from the United States, telling their adherents that faith will bring them wealth and success. He also claimed that thousands of people with health problems had been healed at his church.
SOURCE: THE NEW YORK TMES