Nigerian pastor and founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), TB Joshua will be laid to rest on July 9.
According to family members, the televangelist, who died on June 5, will be buried at his church in Ikotun, Lagos state, and his wife Evelyn will take over as SCOAN leader.
Initially, it was reported that the pastor would be buried in his hometown of Arigidi-Akoko, Ondo state, as requested by the town’s traditional ruler.
According to reports, the pastor’s family and church elders intervened and decided that the pastor would be buried in Lagos.
“Since they said the reason was spiritual, the family agreed with them,” a church source said.
SCOAN elders also met and chose Evelyn as TB Joshua’s successor because the church had no succession plan.
“Someone must take charge immediately and give spiritual direction on the mode of service continuity. So much spiritual and financial efforts went into building SCOAN and it cannot just waste away,’’ a top aide said.
“None of the pastors were trained to succeed him. I would have known if any exists. For now, the wife has taken charge.’’
When Evelyn, a senior SCOAN pastor, met with Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, she confirmed the funeral arrangements.
Her husband’s death, she said, surprised her.
Evelyn had three children with TB Joshua, whom she had been married to for 25 years.
Sarah, one of their children, is said to have given birth to a baby boy on June 12, the day her late father would have turned 58.
