Families take up Joshua’s invitation

TB Joshua

TB Joshua

Published Dec 23, 2014

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JOHANNESBURG: A total of 44 South African relatives of worshippers who died in the Nigerian church building collapse have accepted a Christmas invitation by preacher TB Joshua, says the Synagogue Church of All Nations.

The trip, to be wholly funded by Joshua, is to serve as a way for the relatives to cope with the loss of their loved ones.

It is believed 85 South Africans were among those killed when a multistorey guest house attached to the church collapsed in Lagos on September 12.

“The purpose is to spend time with the families. As we know they are going through a difficult time, this is part of the process the church is undergoing,” said church spokesman Kirsten Nematandani.

The church would offer the bereaved families spiritual and emotional support, and they would have a chance to interact with Joshua.

Nematandani said Joshua had always been open about the incident and that he would “walk this journey with the families and continuously support them”.

Families who were unable to visit the church due to documentation, or already had other plans, were invited to come to the church at a later stage, Nematandani said. As part of the families’ recovery, Nematandani said: “They will have time to go to the prayer mountain to have quality time as an individual and talking to God.”

He expressed condolences on behalf of the church for the families of the 11 victims whose bodies had not yet been returned home.

“We want to express messages of sympathy and condolences to those families and hoping that the time will come when those bodies will come home.”

He said Joshua would not rest until the bodies were sent home. Members of the church would spend time with those families over the festive period to support them.

“The church will be on the ground with them, sending them love and support from TB Joshua, even though it could be seen as a black Christmas,” he said. – Sapa

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