COZA experiences mass reduction in attendance of worshippers
Smite the shepherd and the sheep will flee”. This biblical injunction vividly captures the ongoing scenario at the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA.
The name COZA became a ‘street anthem’ a few months back following a shocking confession by one Ese Walter, an ex-member of the church of her week-long sexual escapade with the senior pastor of the church, Abiodun Fatoyinbo. However, since then, the pastor has neither come out to refute or accept the allegation, but claimed that he was still waiting for God’s order.
While many still doubt the authenticity of the allegations, some light-hearted members of COZA are gradually leaving the church. Dailypost learnt this during a recent visit to the Lagos branch of the church, situated in Maryland, Ikeja.
Findings reveal that many aggrieved members and deacons have left the church since the authority of the church decided to sweep the matter under the carpet.
When our correspondent inquired from a member why the church looked so empty on a Sunday, he was told the population of the church was reducing drastically on weekly bases.
“I think this started not quiet long. Last week was even the worst; you could see empty seats everywhere,” the fair complexioned female member said.
Asked if the man of God had come out to deny or admit the allegation, the member said they’ve warned them never to talk about it anywhere, until he (Pastor Abiodun) hears from God.
“I think this is one of the reasons many members are leaving. The church authority had warned us never to talk about the issue until the man of God speaks, and I think many are beginning to find it hard to believe.”
His members had since called on the pastor to come clean on the adultery allegations, but he prefers to remain silent until God says otherwise.
Our sources revealed that the church stands divided because of the incident. While many insistedthat the pastor should speak out, others are of the opinion that since God asked him to keep quite, he should wait until he says otherwise.
A member was quoted as saying, “God can’t ask you to keep quiet in this matter because his name is at stake too. The church of God is being accused here and the same God is telling him to keep quiet? That is immaterial, I can’t accept that.”