There is a poetic impossibility in the search for a river without a source or a woman whose heart has never known the stirrings of love. Such things do not exist in the natural world. In the same vein, we search in vain for the “perfect man”—especially within the sacred halls of the pulpit.
The recent, dramatic scenes unfolding at the Grace Nation International (Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries) have forced a mirror in front of the Nigerian Christian community. The sight of Pastor Chris Okafor kneeling before his congregation to plead for forgiveness is a stark reminder that even those who claim to mediate between the divine and the mundane are, at their core, “ordinary mortals.”
The Burden of the Pedestal
For years, the narrative surrounding Pastor Chris Okafor was one of supernatural triumph—miracles that defied logic and prophecies that commanded the future. Yet, as the saying goes, “To err is human; to forgive is divine.” The recent allegations brought forward by actress Doris Ogala—ranging from long-term secret relationships to attempts at financial silencing—have stripped away the veneer of the “untouchable” cleric.
By kneeling on that altar, Okafor acknowledged a fundamental truth: the river of his ministry, like all others, flows from a human source. It is a source capable of both great refreshment and significant pollution. As it is written in Romans 3:23:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
The Ethics of Restitution
However, an editorial must ask: is an apology enough? While the Bible encourages the church to embrace the fallen, it also demands accountability. The scriptures do not just call for a confession; they call for a change in direction.
Proverbs 28:13 reminds us:
“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
The “divine” act of forgiveness mentioned by our readers is not a license for repeated error. It is a bridge back to integrity. When a leader of Okafor’s stature errs, the ripple effect touches thousands of lives. The “miracle hand” controversy of years past already bruised the public’s trust; these new revelations of personal moral failings risk shattering it entirely.
A Lesson for the Flock
We are not perfect. We are indeed ordinary mortals. But we must be careful not to use our “mortality” as a shield against the consequences of our choices. The public apology by Pastor Okafor is a start, but the true measure of his “divinity” in this moment will be found in his willingness to make restitution—not just with his congregation through words, but with those he may have wronged through his actions.
As a society, we are called to a difficult balance. We must heed the words of John 8:7:
“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Yet, we must also remember that the higher the pulpit, the heavier the responsibility. We can forgive the man while still demanding better from the office he holds.
A river without a source cannot flow, and a man without mistakes cannot grow. Let us hope that this moment of public humility marks the beginning of a genuine source of healing, rather than just another chapter in a book of controversy.
THE ALTAR OF HUMAN FRAILTY <BR> BY DARE ADELEKAN
