The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) has debunked what it described as ‘rumour’ doing the rounds that the church is engulfed in a succession tussle following the demise of its founder, Prophet TB Joshua, purportedly between the cleric’s wife, Mrs. Evelyn Joshua, and some evangelists.
A statement by the church specifically cited a publication by the Thisday newspaper of Sunday June 13, 2021, in which it was stated that the late Prophet had said he was not extending his calling to his wife, Mrs. Evelyn Joshua.
“This sequence of events clearly points to an attempt by some mischief makers to draw the ministry into unnecessary controversies,” it stated.
“Mrs. Evelyn Joshua is in a mourning mood, following the burial of her late husband on Friday 9 July, 2021 and as a responsible wife and mother, the least favour she deserves from well-meaning Nigerians is for them to respect the family’s privacy at these trying times.
“Rather than fan the embers of strife and animosity, she has remained focused on preserving the legacies of her late husband,” the church said further.
The statement noted that even when the late Prophet Joshua was alive, his wife was not known to be an over-ambitious and domineering woman.
“Instead, she preferred to support her husband and the ministry from behind without exhibiting any selfish instincts even when she had all the powers to do so.
This, it stressed, shows that she is a great leader who can manage people and situations.
It said that as the legally married wife of the late prophet, “Mrs. Evelyn Joshua cannot be in contention whatsoever with any person or group of persons over what legally and naturally belongs to her.”
The church said that every member of The SCOAN, including the disciples and Emmanuel TV partners, should see themselves as sons and daughters of Mrs. Evelyn Joshua “who is an extension of her late husband, according to biblical injunction (Genesis 2:24).”
“The general public is, hereby, advised to disregard all media reports insinuating that elders of the church have rejected Mrs. Evelyn Joshua as the new leader of the church.
“There was never a time when elders of the church sat together to deliberate on any succession issue. At the appropriate time, the new leader of the ministry shall be made known, according to the move of the Holy Spirit.
“For now, Mrs. Evelyn Joshua is in charge of coordinating the affairs of the church,” the statement added.
