Renowned Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua turns 50 on Wednesday June 12th 2013. In his characteristically unconventional style, he has called for the focus of the celebration to be redirected towards care for the less privileged and job creation for unemployed graduates.
Speaking on his popular broadcast platform Emmanuel TV, Joshua called on well-wishers who desired to give in cash or kind towards the golden occasion to rather channel such resources into charitable endeavours. “The best way to celebrate this birthday is to be on your knees and thank God for the life of T.B. Joshua. Pray for the Church of God for a strong bond of love. Pray for your nation and the whole world and rededicate yourself to the acts of giving. Be a father to the fatherless and a benefactor to the needy. Raise the standard of living through the little you are going to invest,” Joshua exhorted congregants. “Those things you have for T.B. Joshua, even what you will spend on a greeting card, put it together and spend it on this commission.”
The noted philanthropist challenged viewers to examine the listed names on their phones, asking how many people were friends with the under-privileged or bedridden. “You must have many orphans and those on the sick bed as friends. Give them a call. Be a prayer partner with them and let them know there is hope. Become part of their family,” he passionately counselled.
He stated his priority project was facilitating the creation of jobs for frustrated graduates, calling on all in a position to support job-seekers to come forward. “We must get jobs for people who are jobless. This is the number one project for my 50th birthday. I am going to pursue it. Graduates are everywhere without a job. This birthday, it will be an assignment for me.”
He bemoaned the state of youth worldwide, stating a bleak future lay ahead if urgent action was not taken by those in a position to help. “If you listen to the graduates of today, you will be afraid of the future. If something is not done quickly, you will not be able to sleep and close your eyes in the future. Tomorrow will be very tough; we have to come together and do something now.”
Last week, the project began in earnest with Joshua facilitating the employment of 24 graduates in jobs, 22 of whom were not members of The SCOAN. He called on churches worldwide to join in the call for job creation with no strings attached. “If every church and organization embarks on telling people in the position to get graduates jobs instead of campaigning for money and prosperity, it will change the situation,” he stated.
He further added that these actions should not be determined by time or season. “When you start, don’t stop – let it be part of you forever. Your rewards in life are determined by how many people you have helped and the problems you have solved. This is the way the Lord wants us to celebrate this birthday at 50.”
By Ihechukwu Njoku – freelance Nigerian Journalist
On a personal note, Joshua said the occasion was a sober moment for appreciation of God’s goodness in his life and added determination for greater service to Him and humanity. “To whom much is given, much is expected. The Lord has given me so much in all areas of my life which I cannot reciprocate. What an undeserved blessing! At 50, I should be more grateful to God and show more commitment to His service,” the Nigerian pastor stated. Stressing that the source of his success lay in the closeness of his relationship with God, Joshua revealed, “If I could give you one clue to my success, I would say I took care of the depth of my relationship with God and He took care of the breadth of my success. Jesus will do the same for you!”
Born on June 12th 1963 in Ondo State, Nigeria, T.B. Joshua’s rise from a poverty-stricken home to an internationally renowned minister of God is nothing short of remarkable. With his birth shrouded in mystery, legend has it that Joshua was in his mother’s womb for 15 months. It is also claimed he narrowly avoided death seven days after his birth after a quarry explosion near his house sent rocks through its roof, missing him by inches. From dropping out of secondary school in his first year to working in a poultry farm carrying chicken waste; from teaching little children while attending evening classes to washing people’s legs on the muddy streets of Lagos; from a forty day fast to receiving a divine call and starting a ministry with a mere eight members – the life of T.B. Joshua is indeed a journey of amazing grace. Today, countless thousands journey weekly to his abode in the heart of Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos to seek spiritual solace with millions more tuning in to watch what is reputed to be Africa’s most popular station, Emmanuel TV.
Clara Nyirenda
June 12, 2013 at 8:36 am
Congrats Man of God. I really love you.
cherry
June 12, 2013 at 8:45 am
happy birthday daddy l love you may GOD strengthen you more.you taught me more the reality of life
Faithfull
June 12, 2013 at 8:48 am
TB JOshua Happy Birthday, To hobnor this day May the Lord grant me Grace to do atleast one Good thing to the vulnerable person. Give me chance Lord Almighty. He who honors a Prophet will recieve a Prophets reward.
Edward Banda
June 12, 2013 at 9:11 am
You journ man of God has it all. yuo have a history in service of God that is straight. May God always bless you and give you more life for the benefit of many souls.Amen!
Johnson
June 12, 2013 at 9:40 am
Happy Birthday
Sara
June 12, 2013 at 10:03 am
Happy Birthday T.B. Joshua. May you continue to save massive lost souls.
Ruth
June 12, 2013 at 10:05 am
Happy Birthday many of God. You are a blessing to many of us.
Ruth
June 12, 2013 at 10:08 am
I meant Man of God.
rak
June 12, 2013 at 10:25 am
HAPPY BIRTH DAY PAPA.WE LOVE YOU
Chitu
June 12, 2013 at 11:14 am
Happy Birthday Prophet!!! I thank God for you and all that you are. I have learnt a lot from you and surely things are not the same anymore.Thank you Ihechukwu Njoku for writing this article.
zambia's eye
June 12, 2013 at 11:33 am
Happy birthday Man of God!
wabo
June 12, 2013 at 11:39 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAN OF GOD MAY THE LORD CONTINUE BLESSING YOU,MAY THE LOVE OF THE LORD CONFORT THE AGED,WIDOWS,WIDOWERS,THE SICK,THE NEGLECTED AND THE UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES.MAY HE CONTINUE BLESSING HIS CHURCH.
mulemga musonda
June 12, 2013 at 11:49 am
GOODMORNING MAN OF GOD AND HAPPY BIRTH DAY.IT IS NOT EASY AT ALL TO CLOCK 5O YEARS.MAY GOD BLESS YOU MAN OF GOD.
Ellen Sedumedi
June 12, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Happy birthday man of God. Please pray for our former president’s health.
Mfundisi
June 12, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Golden jubilee. All the best to T.B.Joshua.
sims
June 12, 2013 at 12:47 pm
happy birth day man of G0D.
.
Decious Mwansa
June 12, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Happy birth Prophet of our time.
mik
June 12, 2013 at 1:24 pm
Happy b/day man of God, may God give you more years so that you continue PREACHING good NEWS to non believers. He (GOD) will be with you up to the end of your LIFE.
Detonata
June 12, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Tell us more about Sata please…… Whos next?
DIVA
June 12, 2013 at 3:24 pm
You and your family.
KAPASO
June 12, 2013 at 4:54 pm
Iwe detonata, Death awaits you and your household, you are the next
Rooney
June 12, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Happy birthday great prophet!!!!
Handsome Prince
June 12, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Happy Birthday Prophet & may God add more days to your life.
Mrs. Wilson Nyirongo
June 12, 2013 at 1:38 pm
Happy birthday Man of God
Anna
June 12, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Why is everybody saying Man of God? TB Joshua ni NDOSHI – people open your eyes!!
Tonga Wise
June 12, 2013 at 2:14 pm
it is you ANNA who is a Watch, Happy Birthday Man of God!!!
Let Love Lead
June 12, 2013 at 2:25 pm
Twamicindika ba ANNA in the name of Jesus Christ and ask you not hurt us. Lelo ni Birthday yaba T B Joshua a man who has taught us to love our enemies so please in Jesus Christ’s name tatwamituke!!!!All you readers that love T B Joshua, do what he has taught us and let’s shame the Devil in ANNA!
chipo
June 12, 2013 at 3:26 pm
we ndoshi niwe anna. hapi birthday my favorite prophet of our time!
DIVA
June 12, 2013 at 3:38 pm
We ndoshi niwebo mafi yobe.
WILLIAM CHIBANDA
June 12, 2013 at 5:11 pm
judge not(MATHEW 7;1). May God Almighty forgive you.
peter
June 12, 2013 at 1:52 pm
Happy birthday man of GOD .
Tatiana.Chimba
June 12, 2013 at 1:53 pm
Tatiana
Happybirthday man of God.May the good lord continue protecting u becoz you are the right prophet for this generation.
MJK
June 12, 2013 at 2:16 pm
@ANNA…………You are wicked. Repent for calling a Man of God NDOSHI otherwise God may deal with you in a manner that you may erternally regret.
ONE NEKA
June 12, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Touching
Gladys
June 12, 2013 at 2:33 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAN OF GOD
Frustrated Malawian
June 12, 2013 at 2:41 pm
TB Joshua please make our president in Malawi Joyce Banda disappear, she is travelling too much and is never in the office.
Plz make her die like you did with Bingu! Malawians will love you even more for that.
isaac
June 12, 2013 at 3:51 pm
But his job is not to pray for pipo to die but rather to face salvation. So frustrated Malawian becaful with what you say.
Nosiphiwo
June 12, 2013 at 2:47 pm
Happy birthday Man of God you are a blessing to me and many of us.
FRIDAY
June 12, 2013 at 2:52 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FATHER TB J LONG LIFE
Chester
June 12, 2013 at 3:07 pm
Happy birthday Man of God. May God grant u more years.
ONE NEKA
June 12, 2013 at 3:31 pm
@FRUSTRATED Malawian you have craked my Ribs thats very funny
isaac
June 12, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Happy birth day Prophet TB Joshua and have many more years as you rid demon free world.
truthful
June 12, 2013 at 3:46 pm
happy birthday Man of God! when i watch his channel i get hope that God cannot fail to change my life, my situation.
Lord Jesus -God of TB Joshua do not pass me by,help me!
small
June 12, 2013 at 3:49 pm
Anna wendoshi niwe how can u tel a man of God to b a witch. You re a big witch. Happy birthday man of God.
chrizye
June 12, 2013 at 3:50 pm
Happy Birthday Man of God. I love you, Sir
joseph
June 12, 2013 at 4:07 pm
Happy Birthday Man of God. You are Prophet of today.
I Love You
Black Uhuru
June 12, 2013 at 4:35 pm
Many more happy returns prophet.
chawe
June 12, 2013 at 4:49 pm
happy birthday Man of God!! you are a blessing.
mara
June 12, 2013 at 5:01 pm
@frustrated malawian, you’ve made my day
jonams
June 12, 2013 at 5:02 pm
MAY YOU LIVE LONGER HAPPY BIRTH DAY .
william Kulya
June 12, 2013 at 5:37 pm
TBJ- You are an ispiration to the believers.
I wish you many many more happy returns.
pascal zest lubilo
June 12, 2013 at 5:50 pm
MANY HAPPY RETURNS THE MAN OF GOD
Tech4g
June 12, 2013 at 7:05 pm
Happy Birthday Man of God, may God preserve your life and ministry for us. God bless you now and forever.
weston
June 12, 2013 at 7:05 pm
happy birthday to you, man of God.wising you many returns
Wilson
June 12, 2013 at 7:10 pm
Thank you lord JESUS 4the life of prophet TB JOSHUA.may the good lord bless you more and more. I love you and pray to do wat you have said in JESUS NAME I PRAY. AMEN
DrElvis Elias Mutambika Sakala
June 12, 2013 at 7:59 pm
It is Exciting to see God doing it ,i mean people reapentig ,wishing you more beautifull days to T .B joshua.
PJM
June 12, 2013 at 9:42 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD YOU REALLY MEAN A LOT ME AND MY FAMILY.
Toka
June 13, 2013 at 1:04 am
God bless you man of God. You have taught me to learn to give.
Let Love Lead
June 13, 2013 at 11:03 am
This is nice! Glory be to the God of Prophet T B Joshua, who has taught his servant all these good things, that he is sharing with us.
WWCN
June 13, 2013 at 3:51 am
Happy birth day TBJ. May GOD open my eyes please to see weather you are true prophet or not.
PJM
June 13, 2013 at 9:00 am
Just try to visit the SCOAN your eyes will be open.