I recently talked to a professing christian from Kenya who is affiliated with this denomination. From what I can gather it is oriented towards the prosperity gospel and word faith. The lead pastor is a man named Chris Oyakhilome, who has strong ties to Benny Hinn and is almost revered by his followers. I have maybe not done enough research into this man and his denomination, but I saw video clips of him espousing the "little gods" doctrine, and saying that believers should not live in poverty. I think he also said the rapture would happen in three years.

The man I talked to said some things that raised some red flags for me; for instance, he said he had been to heaven and hell on separate occasions, he placed what seemed to me to be an inordinate amount of importance on miracles, signs and wonders, repeated word of faith talking points etc. It was almost as if he thought I did not understand the gospel and was trying to convert me into a disciple of his pastor. He also thought it was very strange that I do not speak in tongues.

I personally don't care what denomination a person is in, so long as they actually know God. But I am concerned when someone professes to know Jesus and still follows men like this.

Please pray for this man, and also that I would have discernment to know what to say to him. If anyone has any good resources about Chris Oyakhilome or his denomination, I would be grateful if you could post a link.

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Nigel Holland

You would be correct to have red flags in this. So often those who claim they have been to heaven and hell tend to seek attention and want you to follow them because they will have esoteric insight into scripture and will eventually teach scripture in a different direction. It will turn into false doctrine and even into a cult group.

In the end they will not preach the Gospel. They will preach for their own gain.

Jude 3

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John

You see this kind of attitude a lot in WOF and NAR, almost a kind of flippancy when talking about visions, miracles, etc. The apostle Paul was so humble about his experience that he hesitated to even say he personally went to heaven, but said "I knew a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven." 2 Corinthians 12:2

Miracles, signs and wonders, visions, prophecies, tongues etc don't impress me. I believe in them, and have seen and experienced them, but I don't use them as a yardstick to measure someone's spirituality. I want to see Christ-likeness, humility, love meekness; in short, the fruits of the Spirit.

I think many spiritually hungry people get caught up in this kind of thing simply because there is an absence of the presence of God in many churches.

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Nigel Holland

That word believer loveworld is a word from Christ Embassy church founded by Pastor Chris Oyahkilome from Nigeria. He has so much followers mostly young people and scattered all over the world. Truly l agree with you over some is teaching that are false. Predominantly based of word of faith teaching and prosperity centred teachings. Let's pray for him and his followers.

John 6:14 When the people saw the sign that Jesus had performed, they began to say, “Truly this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Then Jesus, realizing that they were about to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.

In the gospel, Jesus recognizes the selfishness of the people. They’re no better than the Jewish leaders: both want to seize Jesus and use him to promote their interests. Jesus withdraws to the mountain by himself alone. (from wordscholars.com)
If we want Jesus for selfish reasons, then Jesus withdraws.
That's when the enemy can come in, in sheep's clothing, or as an angel of light to give us what our evil hearts desire.

"I want to see Christ-likeness, humility, love meekness; in short, the fruits of the Spirit." Amen

broSmoothSto, do you personally know anyone who attends this church regularly? And if so, what kind of people are they? I would be appreciative of any insight you can give me. You can always tell if a church has the presence of the Holy Spirit if they are, well, holy.

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Nigel Holland

Deogloria, it's interesting you bring up John 6, because that was something I brought up in conversation with this man, that people often want to use Jesus for their own selfish gain.

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Nigel Holland