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The General Overseer of Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje, has said he neither collects tithes nor preaches about tithing in his church.
The controversial cleric made this known during an appearance on the Honest Bunch Podcast, in an episode uploaded to YouTube on Monday.
Odumeje said his ministry was focused on demonstrating spiritual power rather than teaching members about tithing and giving, arguing that some churches placed excessive emphasis on collecting money from worshippers.
He maintained that his approach to ministry differed from that of churches where tithing was frequently emphasised during services.
Criticises emphasis on tithes
The cleric criticised ministers who, according to him, prioritised collecting tithes from members without demonstrating practical evidence of miracles.
He said some churches were more concerned about ensuring that members gave money than providing what he described as tangible spiritual experiences.
“Those people that collect tithes and teach tithes every day when you come to church, they will be interested in making sure that they clear your pockets. And there is no practical evidence and miracles that you will see. The only thing is stories. That is not the kind of church I run,” he said.
Odumeje added that his ministry was not centred on teaching about tithing or making financial contributions a major part of its activities.
“My mission on earth is demonstration of power. All the teaching of tithe and teaching of giving, I am not in that area,” he said.
Says tithing should be personal decision
Despite his criticism of churches that emphasise tithing, Odumeje clarified that he did not consider the practice wrong.
He said paying tithes should be a personal decision between an individual and God, rather than something imposed on worshippers through pressure or persuasion.
“I don’t collect tithes. Nobody pays me tithes. I am not saying that tithe is bad. It’s a decision between you and God if you want to pay tithe. Tithe is real. But it is something that you must decide. Not something that somebody will be brainwashing you, forcing you,” he said.
The cleric argued that worshippers should be allowed to decide whether to pay tithes without feeling compelled to do so by their religious leaders.
Faults threats over failure to pay tithes
Odumeje also faulted the practice of telling church members that they would not enter heaven if they failed to pay tithes.
He rejected the use of such warnings to pressure worshippers into making financial contributions, insisting that the decision should remain between individuals and God.
“Give it to you that if you don’t do it, you will not go to heaven. That is not from God. So that is a decision between you and God,” he added.
The cleric made the comments while explaining the priorities of his ministry and his position on financial contributions by church members.
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