A Nigerian apostle has opened up on early warnings he received from several individuals advising him not to follow the footsteps of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the founder of Christ Embassy.
Early Warnings in Ministry
The young pastor, identified as @Apostle Harrison Ayintete, took to X to recount how he received cautionary messages shortly after he began full-time pastoral work in his early twenties.
He explained that several people approached him, warning him against becoming like Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
Reflecting on the first encounter, he said:
“DO NOT BE LIKE PASTOR CHRIS. He called me on phone, I was about 23 years old then, I had just started full time pastoring, he said he had an urgent word for me and he would be waiting for me at the junction of my church, South Gate, Futa. I was younger and quite impressionable so I hurried to see him. He was an entrepreneur in the city of Akure, in his 30s I presume and his message was that God told him to warn me not become like Pastor Chris. He said he saw Pastor Chris in a vision and he went on to say some really unnerving things. Well, I didn’t know what to make of it so I left it.”
Repeated Advice
Over the years, the apostle said he encountered at least three other men delivering the same message:
“Years later, I will meet at least three other men like him say exactly the same words ‘do not be like Pastor Chris’. As I developed, I wondered what was consistent with these men bringing me this message. I figured it out at last, they all left their churches in bitterness against the pastors claiming they didn’t like pasrotal control (or so they call it), they, seeing how strong willed I am or my kind of leadership strength, could tell that I was heading the way of a personality like Pastor Chris, his audacity and leadership strength, they didn’t like the imagination of that so they felt they could manipulate me whilst I was still young. Godly visions never come from bitter souls. Write this down!”
He explained that these warnings were not genuine spiritual guidance but attempts to influence him while he was still impressionable.
He revealed that he never sought to be a replica of Pastor Chris but admired his boldness and leadership style.
“Well, if you are reading this, any of you who said those words because I know you read my posts in secret, I AM NOT PASTOR CHRIS, I CAN NEVER BE PASTOR CHRIS BUT PASTOR CHRIS’ EXAMPLE OF LEADERSHIP STRENGHT REMAINS AN INSPIRATION TO ME ALWAYS! This is me saying, I didn’t take your advice and I will never take advice on leadership from church deserters no matter how old you are. You cannot be an offended follower and give advise on leadership! Blessed,” he added.