In a move reminiscent of American singer Kanye West’s 2019 decision to launch an online church without any known prior pastoral training, Nigerian Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has also debuted an online worship centre he calls True Salvation Ministry.
He signed off the video as Pastor Yul Edochie.
The location for Kanye West’s online service varied week to week. For example, West had variously held his service indoors, outside against a serene backdrop of trees and hills, and at the Adidas headquarters.
In his case, Edochie featured in a lone video with a lovely background of a lush palm frond.
Kanye’s weekly service focused heavily on music and it was unknown whether the services had anything in common with any specific religious format.
Yul, however, intimated his listeners that he hoped to soon have a physical worship centre, “possibly in Abuja.”
Kanye has been reported to regularly share porn videos during board meetings with business partners; and, as recently as September 2023, a Venetian boat rental company, Venezia Turismo Motoscafi, had banned the American rapper and his rumoured wife after the photos of him flashing his butt went viral in the news.
In his own case, Yul Edochie is currently involved in a divorce suit with May, his first wife of 23 years, after he unceremoniously announced his union with an actress Judy Austin Muoghalu, with whom he had fathered a baby before making his relationship with her known sometime in 2022.
Defending what many considered an act of adultery, the newest pastor in town had said in a December 18, 2022 Facebook post:
“I’m a very proud polygamist. With my full chest. Read Exodus 21 vs 10. The Bible acknowledges polygamy.
“It is my destiny. God directed me to do it. So I can give my son a proper identity. Therefore, it came with many blessings. Blessings for me, blessings for my wife Queen May to calm her down cos as a human being she’ll definitely not be happy about it, and blessings for my wife Judy as well.
“I’m a very solid man of God. With so much grace. You may not understand my life and say negative things about me, but I won’t blame you. It’s my life, not yours. So you’re not supposed to understand it.”
See clip of Yul’s debut online worship service video:
Netizens have been reacting on the outing. From the primary source YouTube to those who had taken the video clips to X, reactions came in torrents. From YouTube:
@user-rh9wg6pi3h: Pls tell us your salvation story pastor.
@ekehcasmir8675: When I see you here preaching the word of God it’s an honor to God who made it possible for you, destiny can only be delayed but can’t be denied, may the God lord grant you grace to this journey in saving him truth and pour heart…Amen
@amazingamazon7129: You are possessed by something that only God almighty can deliver you from. GOD CAN NEVER BE MOCKED
@adaezevictor1: Actor, Realtor, Jocker, Polygamist, Polician, Bishop Sabinus Yul-Edochie
@user-ht1ys3ng5p: From today upwards,this is my church
And also on X [formerly Twitter]
What is going on here? Well na only God know who him call
— Chinenyenwa (@chin_enye) January 29, 2024
I wish him well 🪶
— ụᴄʜᴇɴɴᴀ Ọᴅᴜ (@maziechidiime) January 29, 2024
I wanted to say “a man that cheated on his wife has no business being called by God” then I say make I sha sharrap. I no be God. Na God know who Them wan call. No be me.😒
— ShwagDr (@ShwagDr) January 29, 2024
Is this a scene from a movie 😂😂 can’t believe this clownery
— SweetGrass 🌾❣️💦💎 (@VeevahTee) January 29, 2024
Lion don dey born goat, end time
— BIG DADDY TRAZE 🐅 (@MrTraze) January 29, 2024
The church go still full. What a country
— #ZENGA1974 (@Zenga1974) January 29, 2024
He better show us a proof of this calling 😩
— Retweet no dey cause fight🔁 (@_CatheSam) January 29, 2024
Na here the money de so him change business.
— obioha collins (@obiohacoll13024) January 29, 2024
Biggest cruise ever
— Starleeon🦁 (@starleeon_) January 29, 2024
