01/01/2026
๐ง๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ก๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐
Welcome to the modern-day personal churches in Africa โ often led by so-called โmen or women of God,โ but more commonly addressed as PAPAS and MAMAS. Many of these leaders operate from makeshift iron-sheet structures, claiming they have been sent by God.
Their congregations are mostly made up of women โ women seeking miracles, especially for stable marriages and financial breakthroughs. Sadly, those promises rarely materialize. These followers hold their papas and mamas in the highest esteem, often without question. And if you walk in with wisdom, they will work to strip it from you, because only the foolish are easy to lead.
The papas and mamas grow stronger by the day, fueled by offerings given under subtle โ and sometimes blatant โ intimidation. Their ambitions? To become like the top papas and mamas in the โindustry.โ A Ugandan, Kenyan, or Tanzanian leader often looks up to a Nigerian or South African one; the Nigerian leader, in turn, looks up to American televangelists.
These papas and mamas are known for their flashy dressing and lavish appearances. Designer suits, gold chains, expensive watches, elegant dresses, and accessories are their trademarks, carefully chosen to project wealth, power, and divine favor. Many live in mansions, drive luxury cars, and flaunt their riches openly, all while their followers struggle financially.
They have mastered the use of technology and media โ from social media and YouTube to TV stations and radio โ to amplify their influence and create an aura of success and authority.
The gospel they preach is not about repentance, righteous living, or preparing for the kingdom of God. No โ itโs โgive, give, giveโ so that papa or mama can prophesy good things over your life. This prosperity gospel convinces followers that financial blessings and miracles are guaranteed if they give generously, often beyond their means.
They exploit the vulnerable, convincing them to part with land, property, and valuables, while their own lives improve and their followersโ lives stagnate or decline.
Hard work is dismissed; miracles are worshiped. While others build businesses and create opportunities, these congregants pray for the day they might โcross pathsโ with the already successful. The truth is, the papas and mamas are often lazy, craving easy money, and skilled at sliding into the minds โ and, in tragic cases, even the private lives โ of their most devoted followers.
Public services are often marked by dramatic prophetic declarations, loud music, extravagant ceremonies, and sometimes unusual rituals designed to impress or intimidate. Behind the scenes, contradictions abound, and some papas and mamas have been involved in scandals โ financial fraud, sexual misconduct, or abuse of power โ all too often covered up or denied.
In business, a millionaire loses millions to become a billionaire, and a billionaire loses billions to become a trillionaire. But most of these followers want to lose nothing and still become rich. Not only money, but time, reputation, and effort โ because in the end, thatโs how true building happens.
Prayer responds to spiritual things. Money responds to risk. Worshiping God is right โ absolutely. But worshiping Him in truth means stop following these self-proclaimed prophets blindly. Seek truth for yourself and find the right church or fellowship. Read your Bible.
โ๏ธ The Marigorian Editorial
