The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries has addressed the viral videos mocking testimonies given by its members, emphasising that the Church does not fabricate testimonies. They urged Nigerians to be cautious about what they believe online, accusing certain bloggers of being malicious and skilled in taking things out of context to discredit the Church’s work.
Several testimonies from the Church went viral, with many netizens finding them hard to believe. In one instance, a member claimed to have been carried by a lion after a mysterious force lifted them into the air. The member described being dropped in a tight space by the lion, which then raised a paw and directed them to go left, even bidding them farewell. In another widely shared video, a woman claimed to have fought off armed robbers and taken their AK-47 rifles. The elderly woman said she miraculously gained control of the guns and was able to ensure the arrest of three robbers. Additionally, a man testified that he survived kidnapping, machete attacks, and gunshot wounds without sustaining any injuries.
Reacting to the widespread scepticism and ridicule, the Church clarified that the videos were manipulated. Pastor Chidi Louis, the Head of Public Relations and Media for the Church, stated that the clips were doctored to distort the testimonies and discredit God’s work. He encouraged people to visit the Church’s official platforms for the complete testimonies to gain a better understanding. Pastor Louis pointed out that the woman’s testimony about fighting off robbers occurred in a dream, and the viral video cut off this important context, making it appear as if it happened in reality.
The Church also accused bloggers of being “wicked and devilish,” claiming they intentionally edited the testimonies to ridicule the Church and God’s work. The media department of the Church, through their platforms, further labelled the viral clips as fake and urged the public to disregard them. In response to the controversy, the Church’s TikTok account released the full version of the woman’s testimony, clarifying that her story took place in a dream, not in real life.
