Bus preacher leaves passengers divided for demanding offerings

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Malawi

There was drama in a bus travelling from Malawi’s capital Lilongwe to Blantyre on October 14 as a self-acclaimed evangelist left passengers quarreling after he demanded offerings from the bus after feeding them spiritually with the holy words.

The evangelist who boarded the bus belonging to MM Investment at Wenela bus depot gave each and every person who was in the bus a delicious, holy meal as he preached of God’s love in reference to scriptures from John Chapter three verse 16.

Soon after his ministering in the bus, the evangelist gave the passengers his mobile number saying there were others who may need private prayers.

He urged them not to be quick in taking numbers of herbalists while leaving numbers of the recommended ones.

police He was silent for some minutes before telling the passengers that he also receives offerings from those who may wish to do so.

Later, a man who seemed to be in his 30s asked the use of the offering saying that if it was in the church, it could have been used for other church activities.

The development angered some passengers especially ladies who shouted at the man for asking a silly question.

He was later joined by other men to balance the equation that ended up with half of the bus opposing the idea to give the evangelist some money saying doing so is like selling the words of God.

The other half supported the idea and said the money could help the preacher look smart. All this happened as the preacher stepped out of the bus at Kameza roundabout with the money in his pocket.

In a vox pop at Wenela bus depot, Maria Banda, 27 from Bangwe in Blantyre said it has become the tendency of most preachers in buses to be demanding money from passengers which she said was not good at all.

She was joined by other two men who said they are now tired with this development saying had it been that they just preach and not demand something, it could have been good.

However, Fyness Moyo who was coming from the capital city said the money helps those men who work tirelessly for God. “Remember it is written that no sweet without sweat, and also remember that we should not touch His anointed men.

What could happen if someone gets into the bus and starts preaching whilst smelling bad? “The money is to help them to look clean and smart,” said Moyo.

This is not the first time to have such scenarios happening as reports indicates that last April, police in Lilongwe arrested a man who injured a friend over such similar disputes.