Dr Paul Enenche, the senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), a mega Nigerian church based in Abuja, has apologised to a member who he described her testimony as a “lie” during a service.
Veronica Anyim, also called Vera, was enthusiastically sharing her testimony on the pulpit during the first service of the church on Sunday April 14 when she was interrupted by the pastor, who was uncomfortable with the story about her graduation with a degree in law after 10 years.
In the testimony video, which went viral, Veronica said, “I want to appreciate God for my life and my family, and I want to thank God for using mummy and daddy for our sake.
“It all happened when I was trying to attend the National Open University of Nigeria. Before I came to Dunamis, many things were happening in my life and my family; from my father’s side and my mother’s side, nobody was a graduate. They only ended up in primary or secondary school.
“But when God remembered me, I got a job, and I was working, and I decided to further my education; I started school, and I wanted to do a law programme. I started in 2014, and I never lacked the money to pay my school fees; I kept going to the extent that I got to my 500 level and challenges everywhere: problems, sickness, they afflict me with leg pain, and I was not able to finish my mate had finished, the law programme is six years, but since I was unable to meet up, I keep on like that. But yesterday, I graduated.”
However, when Pastor Enenche noticed the discrepancies in her language and understanding of her supposed law degree, he interjected and asked for clarification on some of her claims.
“What kind of degree did you get? Medicine is MBBS,” the pastor asked and Vera in her reply said she had a BSc in law.
Consequently, the testifier was asked to leave the pulpit even as the pastor expressed concern about the veracity of her claim. He took over the pulpit from the Administrative Pastor, Adah Ochowechi, who was coordinating the testimony session, to caution the church members against sharing false testimonies.
“The moment she talked about a law degree, I knew there is nothing like ‘law’ in what she was saying. No matter how bad it is, it hasn’t reached that level. Is there any lawyer here with a BSc in Law? Lie testimony…. come to stand on the altar to tell lies in the name of testimony.
“Anyone who dares that should do it at your detriment, the Lord killeth and maketh alive. Come to make it look like the word of God is fake. Or that what God is doing is not real? You do it to the detriment of yourself,” Pastor Enenche.
No grudge against church, pastor
However, the following day the church invited Veronica, a policewoman, for a meeting during which Pastor Enenche reportedly apologised to her for the “embarrassment.”
After the meeting, Veronica, on her Facebook page, said she had put the matter behind her and that she held no grudge against the reverred pastor.
“I want to inform the whole world that I just had a warm meeting with my spiritual father and mother, Dr Paul Enenche and Dr Becky Enenche. I don’t have any grudge against the church or them.
“I remain committed to serving God as a member of Dunamis Church. I am thankful for the concern of the public.
“I have put the situation at my back and I have moved forward and I want everybody to do the same. Peace”.
Incident was never intended – Church
On the same day, the pastor’s personal aide and secretary, Sylvester Edoh, issued a statement, saying what happened “was under the spur of the moment.”
Edoh said the church regretted any inconvenience the incident may have caused Veronica.
“It must be pointed out clearly here that embarrassing the testifier publicly with the attendant media frenzy was never intended; whatever happened was under the spur of the moment.
“The action of the senior pastor was rather based on his and the church’s aversion to seeming mediocrity and any appearance of untruth,” the statement read in part.
The pastor’s aide further stated that “as a Commission, we regret every inconvenience, hurt and embarrassment this unfortunate scenario has caused to Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna. We remain committed to her physical welfare as well as her spiritual growth.”
Read the full statement
AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON MS ANYIM VERONICA NNENNA’S TESTIMONY
A scenario was created on Sunday the 14th April, 2024 at the Glory Dome, the Global Headquarters of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, when Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna came out to testify of how God helped her graduate from the University, thus making her the first person to attain that feat in her family.
These were the immediate triggers for the said scenario: First, listening to the testifier’s expressions as it borders on basic spoken English. conveys the impression that the minimum standard expectation of a graduate, especially a graduate of Law was not met.
Second, stating that she studied Law for 10 years begged the question of what her degree actually was.
Third, she was unable to state exactly what the correct degree was for Law which is LLB, rather she said it was a BSc in Law which is largely unknown as a Law degree in Nigeria and possibly globally.
These prompted the Senior Pastor, Dr. Paul Enenche to stop the testimony immediately as a product of a “lie.” However, relief came when it was later confirmed that she actually graduated from a university.
It must be pointed out clearly here that embarrassing the testifier publicly with the attendant media frenzy was never intended; whatever happened was under the spur of the moment.
The action of the Senior Pastor was rather based on his and the church’s aversion to seeming mediocrity and any appearance of untruth.
While we remain resolute in our passion for excellence, intolerance of mediocrity and falsehood, we wish to reiterate the fact that no harm or hurt was ever intended by the Senior Pastor against Ms. Anyim Veronica. The Senior Pastor feels deeply concerned and has already reached out to her.
As a Commission, we regret every inconvenience, hurt and embarrassment this unfortunate scenario has caused to Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna. We remain committed to her physical welfare as well as her spiritual growth.
God bless us all.
Sylvester Edoh,
Personal Assistant/Secretary to the Senior Pastor.
Dunamis Int’l Gospel Centre.