Worshippers robbed during Sunday church service

Police are investigating an armed robbery during which a masked man interrupted a church service to steal from the worshipers.

Police Lt. James M. Albert said the incident happened just before 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Pentecostal Church at 326 Appleton St., Holyoke, Massachusetts.

A service was under way when a masked man, described as skinny, short and Hispanic wearing a black T-shirt, pants and hat, entered with a handgun, Albert said.

"He told them it was a robbery," Albert said. "They were all in fear."

Albert said the man stole various items from the people, including numerous cell phones. The state police crime scene unit was called to assist Holyoke police with the investigation, Albert said.

Albert estimated that approximately 20 people were attending the church service. He said the robber ran off, and someone then called police.

Wales Anglican Churches Approve Ordination of Female Bishops

There were cheers on Thursday after the governing body of the Church in Wales ruled that from around this time next year women will be able to become bishops. Supporters and women's rights groups called the decision long overdue, arguing the exclusion of women from the top roles made the church less relevant in modern society.

The decision adds to the pressure on the Church of England to follow suit – given that Scotland and Northern Ireland already allow female bishops. In England the issue is due to be discussed again in November; the archbishop of Canterbury,

Justin Welby, has said there are "good signs" that the ordination of female bishops will be approved.

Pastor Who Claimed He Raped Teenage Boys to Keep Them "Sexually Pure" Will Not Serve Jail Time

Alternet: Iowa pastor and youth counselor Brent Girouex, who claimed with a straight face that he was trying to "cure" teenage boys of their "homosexual urges" by having sex with them, has had his sentence reduced from 17 years in prison to sex offender treatment and probation.

Since Girouex confessed to having sex with four underage boys, eight additional young men have come forward saying they were sexually violated by the 31-year-old pastor. Girouex, who is not longer a pastor at the Victory Fellowship Church, believed that he could rape away the gay by "praying while he had sexual contact" with the boys, all in an effort to keep them "sexually pure" for God.

Prostitute turned Gospel Singer, Maheeda Shares Raunchy Photos [PHOTOS]

Sometime last year, Caroline Sam, popularly known as Maheeda held a press conference – the objective was to convince her fans that she had jettison her raunchy way of life, turned a new leaf and has embraced Christ.

“I’m now born again. I’ve given my life wholly to Christ. I was walking the path of darkness before but now I’ve seen the light and I’m saved. It’s only by His grace that one can be born again and I believe that His grace will keep me born again forever.” she said then.

Apart from the press briefing, she also released some gospel songs, and later, announced her evangelism project, Maheeda Youths for Christ.

Inspite of her gestures then, sceptics maintained, that the singer was only putting up a publicity stunt, that it is only a matter of time, the former prostitute would return to her old way of life.

Bishop Oyedepo watches while church members beat OGTV staff – Ogun State Commissioner for Information

For the second time, some members of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, better known as Winners Chapel have attacked another set of officials of Ogun State Government.

A reporter and cameraman of the state television station, OGTV, were the latest victims.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu identified the assaulted officials as Mr Peter Falomo, a reporter with OGTV and his cameraman, Lekan Egunjobi.

The duo, according to the statement by the commissioner, were severely beaten and their camera was damaged when they went to the Ota premises of the church to cover the service of building inspection notices by officials of the Ministry Of Urban and Physical Planning.

The video camera of the TV crew was forcibly seized and damaged in the process. The camera was only released after the recording had been wiped off.

Gospel Rapper, Bouqui Returns with a Double CD Album

Putting a ten track CD together is a serious business – now imagine releasing a double CD album with 28 tracks. Well, Gospel rapper and President of Xist Music Africa, Bouqui has attained that milestone – she has finally released her most anticipated double CD album titled ‘Marks of a General’ and ‘Eve of Independence’. That’s waz up!

Expectedly, the production is blessed with some of the finest beat makers – Samklef, Gospel, Jmetz, Kollo, Mix Master J and VC Perez amongst others.

The album also feature top Gospel stars from across the world including American Superstar DA T.R.U.T.H, Midnite Crew, Obiwon, Abel Musuka from Zambia, FaithChild from UK amongst others.

Here’s a track lifted from ‘Marks of a General’ titled ‘Sittin On Top’ ft Lily Perez.

Enjoy!

Confusion after Bishop elopes with Junior Pastor's fiancéé

Whenever I listen to stories like this one, it reminds me of one fact – we are still frail flesh. And at the end of the day, we must remember that ‘your appellation does not take away your imperfection’.

The story below happened in Nakuru County, Kenya.

Standardmedia reports;

Elders of an evangelical church in Nakuru County are in a dilemma after their bishop left his pregnant wife and eloped with another woman.

The second woman happens to be a fiancée of a junior pastor in the church. Speculations are already swirling about the bishop’s next move — to marry the woman as a second wife.

Mandisa Performs ‘Overcomer’ on Good Morning America [VIDEO]

American gospel artist, Mandisa Lynn Hundley, popularly known as Mandisa performed her track ‘Overcomer’ on ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA).

Enjoy!

Pastor starves teenager to death during deliverance session

Another case of deliverance gone wrong – so it seems, but in real sense, Pastor Isaiah felt the best way to deal with a ‘witch’ is NOT to suffer the ‘witch’ to live.

What a waste! What sort of deliverance would require a Pastor to tie teenagers with rope for three days without a single meal?

The police in Abuja on Wednesday filed a criminal suit against Isaiah Okoye, the Chief Overseer of the Sabbath Church in Dape Village, Life Camp, Abuja, for alleged culpable homicide.

The police also listed Ngozi Ogbonna, a member of the church, in the suit.

The suit was filed before Justice Jude Okeke, a vacation judge in the Abuja High Court.

The charges, filed by Inspector Tony Akerele, alleged that Mr. Okoye performed a “special” deliverance on two teenagers whom he claimed were witches in his church.

Evangelist Bonnke set to hold crusade in Accra

Popular German evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke, is expected to hold a mammoth crusade in Accra, Ghana between November 7th and 10^th this year.

This was made known by Rev. John Darko, who is the Africa Director of ‘Christ for all Nations,’ headed by Bonnke. In a meeting of editors in Accra on Monday, Darko said they are expecting over a million people to attend the crusade, which would be held at the Independence Square in Accra.

According to him, the crusade, which is being held under the auspices of Christian Council of Ghana, would be graced by President Mahama on the opening day.

…And Tyler Perry Blessed Bishop T.D. Jakes with a million dollar anointing!

When Bishop T.D. Jakes woke up on Sunday September 1, 2013, what he had on his mind was how God would visit the thousands of worshippers that would throng the auditorium where the 2013 MegaFest programme held.

Interestingly, the shepherd received more than what he anticipated ­– anointing and a million dollar – thanks to the presence of actor and producer, Tyler Perry.

Here’s a rundown of what went down;

During the service, Perry got up, took the mic and said the Lord had spoken to him to give out! “God I don’t know what you’re doing but I heard your voice.” Next, the sound of a million dollars was heard loud and clear!

The crowd jumped to their feet, shouting and praising God. Perry continued, “When you hear the voice of God you move. Don’t worry about what nobody says to you. Don’t worry about what it looks like. Don’t worry about your enemy. Don’t worry about your hater. He’ll bless you. He’ll lift you…”

New Music: Princewill Kalu – “Ihe Ineme”

Princewill Kalu, who had earlier released songs like ‘what faith can do’ and ‘love and grace’ has come up with a new fast temple beat titled ‘Ihe Ineme’.

Check it out here:

Angolan Gospel Singer, Manuel Simão Plans International Tour

The Angolan gospel singer Manuel Simão "Bambila" announced that he will perform a show on 11 September in Windhoek, Namibia.

The singer, who was speaking Tuesday to Angop in Luanda, said he was invited to take part in conference of Evangelic churches set to take place in the southern African country.

Bambila said that he intends to visit Belgium and South Africa.

Gospel Singer, Mary Mary Accused of Short-Changing Manager

Mitchell Solarek of Maximum Artist Group (an artiste management company) has filed a federal lawsuit in Tennessee, USA against gospel singing duo - Mary Mary (real names Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell) for betraying him.

In the court papers, Mitchell said he signed a deal with the singers in 2011 and helped bring back to life their already 'dead' music career in several ways such as; securing deals worth over $3 million, including their WeTV reality show.

In return, Mitchell alleged that the Christian singers betrayed his trust and publicly sacked him on their TV show, despite withholding more than $75,000 in commissions meant to be paid to him.

Mitchell is suing for all that money, and the loss of future commissions from music, merchandising, books and sponsorships.

Pastor Rapes Woman in Church During ‘Spiritual Bath’

A 46-year-old Pastor, Olamide Sobowale, of Glory Church of Christ Aladura, Oke-Itoku, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has been ordered to be remanded in prison for allegedly raping a woman while bathing in his church backyard.

Pastor Sobowale, who was arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, yesterday, was accused of raping one Dupe Makinde, 30, who lives in Isaje, Abeokuta, while taking a spiritual bath allegedly recommended by the pastor.

The prosecuting counsel, Paul Etusi, told the court that the accused grabbed the complainant while she was in a bathroom within the church premises and raped her.

According to Etusi, the accused had told Mrs. Makinde that he had a vision about her and asked her to come for deliverance in his church.

“The accused has committed an offence contrary to section 357 and punishable under section 358 of criminal code of law of Ogun State, Nigeria, 2006.”

Magistrate A. Araba after listening to the prosecuting counsel ordered that the accused be remanded in prison till he gets advice from the Director of Public Prosecution and adjourned the case till September 16, 2013.

Late Pastor Ajanuku Widow Takes Over Church; Family Fight Dirty Over Property

Family members of Late Pastor Iretiola Ajanaku are not respecting the dead as it’s believed so in Yorubaland.

His family according to sources have been coming around to see what the deceased left behind. Most of them are coming to ask for details about his the safety of his fleet of cars.

As we gathered, the wife is seriously going under serious pressure as the family are said to be coming any moment from now to move the exotic cars for safety.

Meanwhile, the widow, according to hierarchy is the next in line to take over the leadership of the church but she herself, we learnt, had moved some valuable things out of the house to an undisclosed venue.