AVOID THE DEVIL'S TRAP (WHY MINISTERS FALL)

WHY GOD’S MINISTERS FALL

THE CASE OF REV. JASON UGOH: (Not real name)

Rev. Jason Ugoh was the pastor of a Community Church. For two years, he poured himself into his work and saw the congregation double. There was a Sunday night prayer and praise service where miracles of healing began to take place.

Then a publisher became impressed with the ministry in Ugoh’s church and wrote a book about it. The book became an overnight bestseller and people began to throng to his services.

Rev. Jason Ugoh was delighted about the sudden expansion of his ministry and he began to travel extensively. Almost overnight, Jason became an expert on the ministry of spiritual healing. But his church and family began to suffer. While Jason was travelling all over the country, ministering for God, his wife spent lonely days and nights at home washing nappies and struggling with the bills.

Debts were at the root of their domestic problems. The wife was extravagant, and John was a bad money manager.

The miracle ministry took him away from home even more, while debts mounted. Then Jason resigned from his church to devote himself totally to is travelling ministry.

Then a spectacular miracle proved a turning point in Jason’s ministry. A wealthy lady was healed in one of his meetings. In gratitude, she wrote a large check in his name for the work of God. Jason rationalized that since the lady received her healing by his hand, no doubt he could divert the funds to meet his mounting debts.

Afterwards, he felt dishonest and prayed for forgiveness. To his surprise, God did not seem to mind as the miracles continued to flow.

Then came word from the elders at home that Jason’s wife had been seen in a bar with new friends’ at midnight, while the children were left all alone at home. Jason was advised to take time off traveling to sort out his home. He refused but instead hired a full time house-keeper (which he could ill-afford) and flew to his next speaking arrangement.

A financial crisis drove Jason to desperation for money. He shared with his next audience his vision for caring for poor children in Haiti. A large offering was raised.

However, nothing was on the ground in Lagos and no personnel to do the work for some time, so Jason rationalized again. He borrowed the designated money to quickly meet his personal debts.

So, Satan’s snare was sprung, and Rev. Jason Ugoh, a dedicated man of God, became a false prophet. Travelling around the country, lifting huge missionary offerings on the basis of his miracle-working ministry; setting up a missionary organization to receive the offerings, but controlling the funds himself through half a dozen different bank accounts, diverting tens of thousands of dollars into his own pocket in a futile attempt to prop up a disintegrating home and marriage.

TO AVOID THE TRAP:Never stat or be part of a One-Man ministry or church:

LEADERSHIP IS PLURAL:Jesus chose 12 disciples to head his church. In the beginning God said, “Let us make a man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion……..…” Gen. 1:26.

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