Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has revealed that one of the church’s pastors was arrested abroad for addressing a gathering with the phrase ‘ladies and gentlemen’.

‘Ladies and gentlemen‘ is a salutation and irreversible binomial used in entertainment, sports and theater since the 19th century. The salutation is unlike most English language-gendered irreversible binomials which typically place the male term before the female term.

Speaking at the church’s monthly thanksgiving service in Lekki, Lagos on Sunday, Adeboye said some people who attended the event got the pastor arrested for being “discriminatory and offensive”.

The 82-year-old cleric said the pastor was accused of failing to acknowledge other gender identities, specifically non-binary individuals.

Adeboye expressed his concerns about the world’s moral decline, stating that the incident is “one of the signs of the end time”.

“The end is nearer than you think. Things are getting worse and worse. To warn us to wake up. We should wake up. They arrested one of my pastors somewhere abroad. What was his offence? He was going to speak and he got up and said ‘ladies and gentlemen’. That was his offence,” he said.

“Some people reported him that he is discriminatory. They claimed he said ‘ladies and gentlemen, saying what about those who are neither ladies nor gentlemen?’.

“That is how far the world has gone. You think things are bad. You do not know all the details.

“We are closer to the end than before.”

TD Jakes, bishop of The Potter’s House, a megachurch in the United States, has broken his silence after suffering a health scare on stage.

During a live-streamed sermon on Sunday, the 67-year-old cleric sat on a stool and was about to finish a prayer when he lowered the microphone and began shaking.

The live stream was abruptly cut off, leaving thousands of viewers concerned about Jakes’ well-being.

In a video shared on Instagram on Wednesday, the church leader appeared to be wearing a green baseball cap and sunglasses and seated in a wheelchair.

Jakes began by thanking the healthcare team that assisted him. He then extended his appreciation to the countless individuals who prayed, sent messages, and expressed their support.

“It didn’t have to end this good. I’m so grateful,” Jakes said, visibly in tears.

“I’m grateful to y’all, all the people who prayed, all the people who texted, all the people who had prayer vigils, all the people who were concerned and sent love and sent notes. I’m just grateful.”

In the post’s caption, the cleric reflected on the experience. He also acknowledged the privilege of serving God’s people and the importance of relying on divine strength.

“Serving God’s people is an extraordinary privilege, and Sunday was no exception as I gave my all in delivering the message God placed on my heart. Even when I sensed the weight of my humanity and pushed through nonetheless, I’m reminded that even the strongest must rely on His strength,” he wrote.

“I give thanks unto the Lord that I did not have a stroke, however the event could’ve been fatal if it weren’t for God’s intervention. A special thank you to God and the medical professionals in our city whose speed and expertise were beyond exceptional. My job is to recuperate and reflect on God’s protection. I owe it to my amazing family and church members to rest and ruminate as He restores me towards His service. As God calls us to honor the Sabbath, I’m reminded that rest is not a weakness – it is a divine gift.

“While I continue to be strengthened by His grace, I stand in awe of my family and the tremendous leadership team that surrounds me. Together, we press forward, steadfast in the work the Lord has set before us. I’ve heard from friends from the global community who expressed God’s love in ways that were astonishing! God’s faithfulness was unmistakable to all those present.

“I’m forever humbled by your outpouring of love and support. I will always give my best. May His presence continue to guide and sustain you and provide peace and protection over you all.”

The church has yet to elaborate on what may have caused the health scare and Jakes’ prognosis.

Pastor Mike Bamiloye, Founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, has raised concerns about the frequent travels of some female ministers who often leave their husbands alone for extended periods.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Bamiloye highlighted the challenges faced by these husbands, who are left to manage the local church alone while their wives undertake ministry trips.

According to Pastor Bamiloye, these female ministers often enjoy luxurious accommodations and sumptuous meals during their trips, while their husbands cope with loneliness and isolation at home.

Bamiloye wrote, “There is a class of female ministers who never stay home with their husbands. They travel everywhere, staying in hotels and suites as they minister, enjoying the best of sumptuous meals provided by their hosts, while their husbands remain at home, managing the local church alone.”

He also noted that when these husbands try to express concerns or set boundaries, they are sometimes accused of stifling their wives’ visions and callings.

He added, “They can be away on ministrations for two or three months, ‘preaching’ the gospel around the world, while their husbands languish at home, relying on cousins, nephews, or housemaids for meals.

“When the husband tries to stop them or reduce their frequent ‘mission’ trips, they accuse him of killing their visions and suppressing their callings.

“They often stand behind pulpits, introducing their sermons with praises for their husbands: ‘I bring you greetings from my husband, the owner of my head, the payer of my dowry, without whom I would not be here today. He sends his warm greetings,’ even while the man is suffering in loneliness at home.”