The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) says it has not placed restriction on any Nigerian cleric from preaching the gospel anywhere in the world and in Nigeria.
Dr Sylvanus Ukafia, PFN National Publicity Secretary, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Calabar on Wednesday.
He said the statement was necessitated by a recent reported claim of a cleric, Rev. Isaac Omolehin, that the PFN had instructed that he should be stopped from preaching outside Nigeria.
Ukafia said: “The PFN has become aware of reported claims that a church in Canada stopped him from preaching upon his arrival based on directives purportedly issued by the PFN.
“He further alleged that another church in Cape Town received the same directive but chose to disregard it.
“Additionally, he claimed that the PFN had instructed churches to deny him ministerial platforms both locally and internationally.
“The PFN wishes to state clearly and unequivocally that it issued no such directives at no time in Canada, Cape Town, Nigeria, or anywhere else in the world.”
Ukafia stressed that the PFN did not instruct any church or minister to stop Omolehin, or any other minister, from preaching the Gospel, whether formally or informally.
According to him, the PFN’s foundational purpose and vision is to take the Gospel to the “farthest and furthest ends of the earth, so silencing a preacher is not, and has never been part of it mandate.”
While noting that Omolehin may have been misinformed or misled, the body urged him to provide proof of such claims, “in the interest of truth and fairness.”
“We urge churches in Nigeria, Canada, Cape Town, and across the world to keep their pulpits open to sincere, well-intentioned ministers of the Gospel.
“They should also promote unity in the Body of Christ, and continue advancing the message of salvation,” Ukafia added.
