Dr Albert Odulele, founder and pastor of Glory House Church in Plaistow, east London, was sentenced yesterday at Woolwich Crown Court to eight months' imprisonment. He had pleaded guilty to sex offences involving a teenaged boy and a young man. Albert Odulele will be on the sex offenders register for five years.
Such a sentence spells an end to his influential ministry as a church leader. It is very unlikely that he would be put in a position of trust and pastoral care for a church congregation in the future. There are those who would never allow him to have any church leadership position at all. The considerable risks, it is strongly argued, would be far too great. Such temptations should be avoided at all costs. Others believe that a complete restoration to the ministry and leadership is possible. One argument is that God can heal completely and can miraculously restore the fallen person from the most heinous sin. Is there objective and reliable evidence for such a miraculous event? People can deceive themselves and others. There have been cases of sex offenders claiming deliverance who re-offend. Safeguards, supervision strategies and circles of support cannot guarantee complete success.
Perhaps he will preach again and produce Christian literature.
But the question is, should someone who has an urge to commit a sexual offence be given any chance of leadership in Christian ministry when they might do it again?
When it comes to sexual offences, especially those involving young people, children and vulnerable people, most Christians wish to be very careful and they would say "no" the the above question. It's game over for their church/pastoral ministry.
Our prayers should be for Albert Odulele in prison, where he will have a tough time as a sex offender, his wife and family who must be devastated by the situation, and the Glory House Church which has had large congregations and very well attended meetings. Love does not rejoice in the wrong. We weep with those who weep. This is a sad time for them all. May God help them to go forward in His grace and strength.
Such a sentence spells an end to his influential ministry as a church leader. It is very unlikely that he would be put in a position of trust and pastoral care for a church congregation in the future. There are those who would never allow him to have any church leadership position at all. The considerable risks, it is strongly argued, would be far too great. Such temptations should be avoided at all costs. Others believe that a complete restoration to the ministry and leadership is possible. One argument is that God can heal completely and can miraculously restore the fallen person from the most heinous sin. Is there objective and reliable evidence for such a miraculous event? People can deceive themselves and others. There have been cases of sex offenders claiming deliverance who re-offend. Safeguards, supervision strategies and circles of support cannot guarantee complete success.
Perhaps he will preach again and produce Christian literature.
But the question is, should someone who has an urge to commit a sexual offence be given any chance of leadership in Christian ministry when they might do it again?
When it comes to sexual offences, especially those involving young people, children and vulnerable people, most Christians wish to be very careful and they would say "no" the the above question. It's game over for their church/pastoral ministry.
Our prayers should be for Albert Odulele in prison, where he will have a tough time as a sex offender, his wife and family who must be devastated by the situation, and the Glory House Church which has had large congregations and very well attended meetings. Love does not rejoice in the wrong. We weep with those who weep. This is a sad time for them all. May God help them to go forward in His grace and strength.
13 comments:
This is a sad episode for the body of Christ. This does no one any favours whatsoever and quite frankly, proper commencement of restoration can only take place when we all agree that this “madness” within the pentecostal movement (zero accountability et al) has got to stop!
The victims, including Dr Albert have been failed by an industry where there are bucket loads of ‘chiefs’ & no ‘indians’…..everyone carving out a territory with little cohesion due to stupid competition that exists – in other words, what is supposed to one body of Christ is pathetically fragmented.
The charities commission as I’ve said a number of times, is just no fit for purpose and a new body is required to ensure proper regulation of what has become a multi-million pound industry. This industry is an easy target for, as well as provides easy access for a lot of money laundering.
Thank you for your perceptive comments.
You are perfectly correct that we should pray for Dr Albert and his family. Indeed we should. However it is particularly striking that in many articles of this kind very little is said about praying for the victims of the abuse.
The shame, rejection, hurt and betrayal they would have experienced together with the guilt that they might be feeling for causing harm to the well respected and well liked church and minister.
This is a very difficult situation. Indeed there might be others who have been victims who have not come forward. There are also very worrying similarities to the scandal in the Catholic church here where reports suggest several pastors and the church Bishop may have been involved in trying to address the matter before the matter went to the police. The fact that the incidents happened in 2003 and 2004 begs the question what happened before that and what happened since 2004.
This is really a sad episode for all involved.
I do pray that the Church leadership will take heed and learn the many lessons concerning safe guarding, protection, accountability, whistle blowing and dealing with sexuality.
My love and prayers for everyone especially the known and unknown victims. God loves you all.
JO
You are perfectly correct that we should pray for Dr Albert and his family. Indeed we should. However it is particularly striking that in many articles of this kind very little is said about praying for the victims of the abuse.
The shame, rejection, hurt and betrayal they would have experienced together with the guilt that they might be feeling for causing harm to the well respected and well liked church and minister.
This is a very difficult situation. Indeed there might be others who have been victims who have not come forward. There are also very worrying similarities to the scandal in the Catholic church here where reports suggest several pastors and the church Bishop may have been involved in trying to address the matter before the matter went to the police. The fact that the incidents happened in 2003 and 2004 begs the question what happened before that and what happened since 2004.
This is really a sad episode for all involved.
I do pray that the Church leadership will take heed and learn the many lessons concerning safe guarding, protection, accountability, whistle blowing and dealing with sexuality.
My love and prayers for everyone especially the known and unknown victims. God loves you all.
JO
Jo's comments are sound and sincere.
Thank you for sharing an important point about the victims who suffer greatly and are often not give enough help and support.
Having worked in public protection (during the last decade) and for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (in the 1970s), I know only too well the devastating impact sexual assault can have.
Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. I read with interest the comments of the readers regarding this well known leader who happens to be my former Pastor. I say former because I no longer attend his church. I believe that there is no transparency in the church and everybody does what they like. There is no care about members. No one knows when any member is missing to even find out about them. When points are raised about happenings in the church, some high level members will explain away the situation. People should not be blamed for being angry, the blame should be placed on the pastor who has no conscience to do what he did. I devoted my layalty to God, to do his will is to love him and all mankind. This is why I love that man in Jesus name as a brother. I love the victims also and I have not ceased praying for them. One thing I am happy about is that he went to prison. This is because God want him to minister to people who are in there. Another point is he will be educated on how to run his ministry. It is all about God's work and caring for people. He will take a look at the way his church operates and set up a Prison Ministry. Because, I raised this question so many times but it is always explained away. No one cares it is all about money. No accountability. They can do whatever they like. This is why this Man who I now believe to be a false prophet did what he did. Because if he was a man of God and a true Prophet he would have seen what was coming to him. He was deceiving people by prophesying. I hope he comes out humble and repented. There is so much arrogance in the Glory House, people should not speak the truth. I believe this was why the gap was between the events and the investigations. May God bless all who are for the truth. I pray for the victims of this case and also for the ennocent members of Pastor Odulele's family.
Thank you Catherine for your very sincere comments. May our prayers be answered so that goodness, mercy and rejoicing come into this woeful state of affairs. Ephesians 3:20-21.
Thank you for your gracious comments.
May our prayers be answered for this woeful state of affairs, so that goodness, mercy and rejoicing come into this situation. Ephesians 3:20-21.
May your bring the aroma of Christ to those around you.
Sadly comments from Catherine have been lost in cyberspace when Blogger went down.
When things go wrong, we're quick to judge!
Prevention is better than cure. Its high time we face reality in today's church setting. Too much focus on prosperity is obviously making us idle, hence becoming very vulnerable to attacks and mishaps.
We need to face the real assignment God has given us - redeem the world back to God. To do this we must seek to understand and practically address world's pressing issues especially within its smallest unit - the homes.
Run away fathers, irresponsible parent, cheating one another, materialism, abandoning children, secrecy, I'm holy, you're the sinner attitude must stop. We need to encourage openess, true love.
Men needs to take their rightful place - be responsible "if you impregnate a lady, don't turn it against her, take care of the child and the mum - afterall you asked for it. And when the church suddenly see a female member of the choir's tommy protuding, its not proper to just dismiss her from office, fish out the man and compel him to be responsible. Don't buy items from others without paying, expecting God to bless you because you've paid your tithe and offerings. God cannot be bribed.
'Brothers stop hoping around sisters house eating their food aimlessly. Sisters stop praying against husband snatchers, work on your husband instead to make him unsnatchable. Many times they lie their teeth off to get their way. Don't cheat the system that is set to help you when in need and expect God to bless you in the same land. Wake up!!!
In conclusion, Pastor Odulele is no different from other pastors,just because his own secrecy made it to Woolwich crown court and others are still under lock and key.
We must all come up with constructive solution. Restoring Pastor Odulele back to ministry or not is not the main issue, preventing future mishaps is the key. Lets be honest with ourselves and truely love each other.
Thanks for your comment. 2 John 3.
Going to Prison as shameful as it is for any genuine Man of God, does not signify the end of such a man. The Bible makes us to understand the probability of finding Christians in prison one way or the other as in His Statement, 'I was in Prison & you did not visit me...' Matthew 25: 36
The Main concern is that as the flesh is being chastised for this sinful acts that His soul will still be saved as in 'No suicide in Jesus Name' and this evil influence be cats off his life permanently in Jesus Mighty Name!!!
The Reason a few Christians have ended up in Prison or in public scandal, sad as it is are among others as follows:
1. Not 'Confessing our sins one to another ever before it becomes an act whiles it is still a struggle in our minds & thoughts'.James 5:16
2. Trying to cover it up - Proverbs 28:13. unfortunately sin covering instead of sin confession is a fast breeding opportunity for such sin to expand rapidly & quickly! Right from sinful thought stages up to the actual sinful actions. Philippians 4: 8 Remember as a man is so He is - let's keep our thoughts pure & remain pure!
3. Unhealthy Idolisation of many 'Men & Women of God' by their members more often than its realised have not helped struggling ministers to come open with a sin or problem! Bible says if Christ be lifted up He will draw all men unto Himself not men. The overly self induced-respect some claim to give certain Men of God atimes makes it difficult for them to cry out 'Help me am going thru this or that' It almost like you better be perfect which unfortunately many aren't that perfect still so the members have to lifted Jesus up & bless their Ministers not the other way round. John12: 32
Moses was called of God to lead His people out of bondage but remember he was still human with anger issues that costed him not entering into the promised land of Canaan, thankfully his soul was saved.
LET BE REST MY WRITING HERE...BY SAYING 'If God cannot get your attention in the closet, then you are indirectly wanting Him to get your attention in the Public'
If like whispering to a child before he runs into the runs - if he fails to stop as he gets closer to the road you are left with no option than to shout & by so doing dram the attention of others unfortunately!!!
Lesson, those secret sins better be out now to be rejected, renounced & refused in Jesus Name & if its gotten to the extent that you can do it alone seek help before it gets of of hand!!! I leave you all with Psalms 51 - shalom.
First and foremost Glory House is not a church of God, it is a business entity where big money is extorted from unsuspecting worshippers through eloquent speeches.
Odulele is a business man not a pastor. His life styles - the cars he drives, the designer clothes he sports, the business class he flies around the globe, the houses he owns etc etc speaks for themselves.
As a former a member of that church, i feel gutted and sad for true devout christians still going there and giving in their hard earned money as offerings and tithes which in fact is being used to fund a luxurious life style of the twin brothers and cohorts.
Odulele is the very reason I have become very passionate and personal with my God and not any earthly pastor or church. Odulele is the very reason I no longer give offering to church but rather to the poor, needy and downtrodden. Odulele is the very reason I no longer trust any pastor most of whom are actors (before leaving, Jesus warned us of false prophets coming in His name, wolves in sheep skins).
Glory house has a very bad practice - protocol & procedures take most of the time people spend in the church, then Odulele comes up stage and speaks a well rehearsed 15 minutes 'sermon' with all the eloquence he can marshal. Thereafter his lieutenants takes to the stage to preach about giving, offering and tithing citing all the verses in the bible about seed time and harvest time, cheerful giving, reaping where you have sown, Malachi Ch3 etc etc and bla bla bla and the pretty scanty clad ladies on high heels start moving around with envelopes & baskets for collection. As soon as the collection is done baskets are whisked to the back room, Odulele follows the basket, the service ends. No blessing the offering, no accountability, no annual report to stakeholders.
Glory House is full of highly educated men & women - how can they be so myopic! Are they too spiritual to ask simple & basic questions. I pray that Almighty God opens the eyes of those christians still going to Glory House the way He did to me.
I hear Odulele is back on the pulpit - he is truly a shrewd businessman.
Ed
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