Comments credited to the founder and presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyomie, have sparked widespread debate, with many Nigerians expressing divergent views over his reported assertion that those who are paid for rendering services in church would never come out of poverty.

Ibiyomie, whose church headquarters is located in the GRA area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was quoted as making the remark during a sermon.

The statement quickly gained traction on social media, attracting both criticism and support.

The cleric, who previously made headlines after stating that he gives offerings to God in foreign currencies, faced fresh backlash from some social media users over the latest comment.

A Facebook user, Udeme Amos, had asked, “Please, what about the contractor that built the church, or
The one that sold the instrument to the church?”

An instrumentalist in a Methodist Church, Basi Lebe Henry said, “Perspectively, while every minister of the Gospel is entitled to express personal convictions, biblical doctrine must always be interpreted within the full counsel of Scripture rather than through isolated assertions.

“The Scriptures consistently affirm that serving God is an act of worship, but they also uphold the principle that those who labour in ministry are worthy of material support.

“As the Apostle Paul declared, ‘The labourer deserves his wages’ (Luke 10:7), and again, ‘The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel’ (1 Corinthians 9:14). Likewise, 1 Timothy 5:18 reinforces this truth by stating, ‘The worker deserves his wages.”

“The determining factor is not whether one receives financial compensation, but the disposition of the heart.

“Scripture repeatedly warns against serving God for the love of money, yet it never teaches that receiving honourable remuneration for genuine service automatically obstructs divine blessing or guarantees poverty.

Throughout the Bible, God blessed individuals who faithfully served Him while also receiving material provision.
“Therefore, the true biblical emphasis is faithfulness, integrity, humility and a heart devoted to God’s glory rather than financial gain.

“May every believer who serves in the house of God do so with sincerity, excellence and reverence, remembering that both willing service and just compensation can coexist harmoniously under biblical principles.”

Nnudu Atochukuwu, who probably disagreed with the pastor, asked whether those who work on the altar do not eat from the altar, only GO is entitled?

However, one Moyor Otaru Chinaka, defending the man of God, said probably those commenting seemed not to understand what the pastor was saying.

Activities marking the retirement ceremony of the Primate of The First African Church Mission, The Most Rev. Sunday Oludare Matilukuro (JP), have been unveiled, with church leaders paying glowing tributes to his decades of impactful ministry and leadership.

Chairman of the Primate Retirement Committee, Dr Solomon Dap Komolafe, and the committee’s Secretary, Rt. Rev. Boma Williams, disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos that the Primate’s tenure will officially end in September 2026.

Primate’s retirement press briefing will be held on 30th June, 2026 at the  Christ Church Cathedral, Oyingbo, Ebute Metta, Lagos State, 11:00 am. Also,  the dedication of Primate’s Palace/Bishop Jones Theology Institute will be held  4th August, 2026, 12:00 noon.

Dedication of the Prayer City, Omu, Lagos State, comes up 13th August, 2026, noon.

Guest Speakers will give talks on  26th September, 2026, 12:00 noon at the  Christ Church Cathedral Oyingbo, Ebutte Metta, Lagos State.

On the 27th September, 2026, there will be a Change of Batton Service/Thankgivng @ Jehovah Shalom Premier Cathedral, Lagos, at 10:00am

The church described Matilukuro as a visionary leader whose years in office were marked by remarkable achievements in evangelism, humanitarian outreach, church growth, education and ministerial development.

According to Komolafe, the outgoing Primate spearheaded several landmark projects, including the construction of a Prayer City in Omu-Ijebu, Ogun State, acquisition of land for a model primary and secondary school, and the completion of the Bishop Jones Memorial Theological Institute in Ota, Ogun State, for the training of ministers.

He also oversaw the construction of a Primate’s Palace as the official residence of the church’s spiritual head and institutionalised a Bi-Annual Mandatory Refresher Training Programme for ministers.

Williams noted that Matilukuro and his wife, Lady Mercy O. Matilukuro, built and equipped a hostel facility at the Prayer City for the Christian Mothers’ Association of the Mission. He also credited the Primate with the successful recovery of two church-owned plots of land and commercial properties in Ogun State.

Describing him as a scholar and administrator of distinction, Williams said the church leader had mentored numerous ministers and inspired many young people toward personal development and excellence.

Matilukuro’s ministerial journey began more than 25 years ago as a Lay Preacher before his induction into the Holy Order of The First African Church Mission at St. Peter’s Parish, Odi-Olowo, Mushin, Lagos, in 1998.

He served at Jehovah Shalom Cathedral, Lagos, for nine years before moving to Christ Church Cathedral, Oyingbo, where his leadership qualities earned him appointment as Fort-Holder of Lagos Diocese. He was later consecrated and translated to Rivers Diocese in 2010.

Earlier this year, he was appointed Fort-Holder of the newly inaugurated Port Harcourt Archdiocese.

Throughout his ministry, he championed numerous developmental initiatives, including the growth and recognition of Our Saviour’s Parish, Iwaya; revitalisation of church activities at Oke-Agbo; restoration of flood-ravaged Emmanuel Parish, Makoko; and rehabilitation of St. Michael’s Parish, Rumuekpe, and Christ the King Parish, Ikpoama, in Rivers Diocese.

He also facilitated the planting of four new churches, played a key role in the establishment of the Port Harcourt Archdiocese, and supervised the completion and dedication of the new auditorium of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port Harcourt.

Born on June 8, 1958, in Enugu State to Rev. Benjamin Ajayi Matilukuro and Sister Clementinah Olayemi Matilukuro, the Primate combines extensive academic and theological credentials. He holds qualifications in Business Administration, Management, Export and Shipping Management, Christian Theology and a PhD in Systematic Theology.

Beyond the pulpit, he has contributed significantly to education, serving as a lecturer in several tertiary institutions, including Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State Polytechnic and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology’s Lagos Outreach Centre.

Married to Lady Mercy O. Matilukuro since 1991, the Primate is also serving his second term as Vice President of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN).

As preparations for his retirement and handover ceremony gather momentum, members of The First African Church Mission and the wider Christian community continue to celebrate a cleric whose legacy of service, leadership and commitment to the growth of the church remains enduring.

Preparations for the much-anticipated ‘Erio ’26 Power Explosion’ have reached a fever pitch following declarations by the organisers regarding the specific divine mandate undergirding this year’s gathering.

Revealing what he termed ‘God’s unique assignment’ for the season, the General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church Nigeria and Overseas, Prophet Hezekiah Oluboyeje Oladeji, explained that God has commissioned a dual mandate of intensive spiritual deliverance and extensive physical welfare to alleviate the burdens of the masses.

To fulfil this divine directive, the ministry has announced a massive philanthropic package, free nationwide transportation for pilgrims, and the official global launch of two international digital media platforms to accommodate the expected influx of attendees.

The monumental seven-day spiritual convergence is scheduled to take place from June 22nd to 28th, 2026, at the historic Ori-oke Anu, also known as the Mountain of Mercy, in Erio-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

According to details on the official event publicity material, the programme is organised by the Christ Apostolic Church, Canaan Land, in conjunction with the Mountain of Mercy.

The global gathering will run under the prophetic theme, ‘The Covenant of Answer ( Majemu Idahun), drawing inspiration from the biblical book of Hosea, chapter two, verse twenty-one.

Speaking to journalists, Prophet Hezekiah emphasised that executing God’s assignment for this year’s programme means transcending traditional sermonizing to deliver tangible, practical relief to families facing challenging economic realities.

In a major philanthropic drive aligned with this mandate, the ministry has packaged special provisions and financial support specifically aimed at assisting parents who have recently welcomed newborns, including single births, twins, and triplets.

Prophet Hezekiah stated that the gifts prepared for these families are numerous, noting that while they cannot buy life for the children, they are divinely instructed to provide essential provisions so they can enjoy a good life through tailored support programs for both men and women.

Further clarifying the logistical breakdown of this spiritual assignment, the cleric noted that ensuring easy access for believers across the nation was a core instruction.

To ensure that financial constraints do not hinder pilgrims from participating in the spiritual convergence, the central organizing committee has finalized logistics for a massive fleet of complimentary buses to transport attendees from major hubs across Nigeria.

Free transportation services will be fully operational for commuters travelling from Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.

The cleric added that comprehensive security and welfare arrangements have been established to accommodate the vast number of people pulling from different parts of the country, with all logistical details made freely available online for public access.

In a strategic digital expansion aimed at taking this divine assignment to an international audience, the ministry has also officially launched two new broadcasting networks, namely PHM Radio (Prophet Hezekiah Media) and HOM (Hezekiah Oluboyeje Media).  PHM Radio App is available on Google Play and the App Store; these expanded platforms aim to completely bridge the gap for the international diaspora.

Prophet Hezekiah explained that the platforms were launched to broadcast abroad so that the entire world will hear the message, ensuring that everything brought to the internet regarding the ministry will be fully accessible globally.

The upcoming program will feature a heavyweight lineup of prominent religious leaders who are expected to preside over the heavily structured morning, afternoon, evening, and vigil sessions.

Prophet Hezekiah confirmed the attendance of top hierarchy leaders, including the President of the Christ Apostolic Church, Pastor Samuel O. Oladele, and the General Superintendent, Pastor Emmanuel O. Odejobi.

The event will also feature powerful ministrations from guest speakers Pastor Poju Oyemade of The Covenant Nation and Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of the Kingsway International Christian Centre.

Recognising their immense spiritual authority, Prophet Hezekiah warmly described these guest ministers as the core owners of the work and revered fathers, highlighting their central, foundational role in executing the heavenly assignment laid out for the upcoming gathering