Founder and presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has stirred reactions online after cautioning worshippers against chewing gum, drinking water, and using phones during church services.
- +VIDEO: Don’t chew gum in church, Ibiyeomie warns members
In a video shared by X user #dammiedammie35 on Tuesday, the cleric, while addressing his congregation, emphasised the need for decorum and reverence in the house of God.
In a video shared by X user #dammiedammie35 on Tuesday, the cleric, while addressing his congregation, emphasised the need for decorum and reverence in the house of God.
He said, “Don’t chew gum when you’re in church, you’re not a goat. Don’t drink water in church; if you want to drink water, go outside.
Don’t use phone at all in church. This is not a Pentecostal church; only Pentecostal churches allow water inside church,” Pastor Ibiyeomie stated.
He further described such actions as indecent, noting that prominent pastors like Enoch Adeboye and David Oyedepo do not drink water on the altar. “You won’t see Adeboye drink water on the alter you won’t see Oyedepo drink water on the altar. Those things are not decent”.
The remarks, delivered during a service, have generated mixed reactions, with some agreeing on the need for reverence while others questioned the practicality of the directives.
One user, #Whyiize1, wrote: “Nawao. Na Secondady school Assembly? I can excuse the gum. What if there’s a member who is dehydrated or diabetic or having dry mouth? What if a member wants to take notes with his phone or use a Bible App?”
Another user, #eserosyy, supported the pastor’s position, saying: “Honestly some things some people do in church is annoying, these people won’t do these things if they are in the presence of the president or even governor, so why do it in God’s presence? No reverence for your creator.”
Salvation Ministries, pastored by Ibiyeomie, headquartered in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is one of Nigeria’s prominent churches with a large following.
𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐆𝐮𝐦 𝐈𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡, 𝐈𝐛𝐢𝐲𝐞𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬
Founder and presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has stirred reactions online after cautioning worshippers against chewing gum, drinking water, and… pic.twitter.com/nX1Agq5IeV
