Oyakhilomes divorce splits Christ Embassy members

Members of the Christ Embassy are
divided over a divorce suit filed against the Senior Pastor of the
church, Chris Oyakhilome, by wife, Anita, in a London court.

Oyakhilome is the President of the
Believers’ Love World Incorporated, the registered name of the Christian
ministry, while his wife is the Vice President.

Some members of the church on a Facebook
page, ‘Where is Rev. Anita Oyakhilome,’ which is believed to have been
opened by Anita’s fans, expressed differing opinions on the matter.

On Saturday, one of the church members,
Ijeoma Olive Ehirim said, “I am a Christ Embassy member. I hate one
thing there: How can a pastor be working together with a lady hand in
hand, attending meetings and lodging in a hotel for days. My girlfriend
travels with our branch pastor annually for PPCF which holds in Lagos.
Only God knows.”

Sharing a similar view, Samantha Iwowo, described adultery as one of the grounds for divorce.

Iwowo said, “Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
must have been discovered compromising his marital bed business. It is
what it is. God says judgement will start from His house. ‘Touch not my
anointed’ is God’s instruction regarding all His children, not an
individual nicking, scheming, threatening monies off people’s purses and
telling them that salvation is tied to tithes and that seed sowing is
only money donation to the church/pastor’s coffers. One down, more to
roll. Christ be praised.”

In her post, Chinyere Okechukwu-George, claimed to have left the church when she observed some irregularities.

“I and my family left Christ Embassy for
our own good after worshiping there for three years plus and seeing all
the things going on under the disguise of church. And I can comfortably
say that for over a year now, we have had so much peace in our
Christian lives. I don’t care how you view my comment but truth must be
told.”

Joseph Osagiede, however, responded saying the Oyakhilomes were still together.

He said, “I have been in Christ Embassy
for 12 years. All is totally well with thier marriage. All those wishing
them to split and also those going about saying nasty things about the
church, be careful.”

Faith Ebunoluwa Adetayo also said, “I
have been in Christ Embassy since 1990s and I can authoritatively say
some things: I have seen the power of God work, demonstrated in healings
and many other things. I have seen how that Pastor Chris is less
concerned about mistakes we make.

“He believes that these sins of the
flesh will disappear, only if we listen to the word of God. Rather than
condemning us, he speaks words of encouragement. And for your
information, Pastor Anita is still very much in the ministry and she’s
with her darling husband.”

Meanwhile, the Christ Embassy has kept mum on the divorce case.

A woman, who picked PUNCH’s call to the Nigerian office of the church on Saturday, said she had no information to give on the matter.

When asked to confirm if the divorce suit was true or not, she simply said, “I have no information to give on the matter.”

When another call was made to the church
thorough another number, the respondent, who identified herself as
Pastor Christabel, said the church had no information about the case.

“No, we have no information on the matter,” she said.

An online newspaper, The Cable,
had reported on Friday that the divorce case, with Suit No FD14D01650,
was filed on April 9, 2014 at the Divorce Section A, Central Family
Court, First Avenue House, High Holborn, London, the United Kingdom, on
Anita’s behalf by Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors.

Anita reportedly filed for dissolution
of the marriage between her and her pastor husband, which produced two
teenage daughters – Sharon and Charlyn – on the grounds of “unreasonable
behaviour” and “adultery.”