Former Christian Recalls Childhood Experience Living With Pastor at Age 13
A Nigerian man who has since left the Christian faith has shared a particularly memorable incident from his childhood when he lived with a pastor at the tender age of 13. Ewa LS Ekuma, currently residing in the diaspora, revisited this formative experience in a recent social media post that has sparked considerable discussion among netizens.
The Pastor's Powerful Voice and Unusual Request
According to Ekuma's detailed account, the pastor he lived with possessed an exceptionally loud voice that rivaled amplified speakers, eliminating the need for microphones during most church services. This remarkable vocal ability made the clergyman particularly memorable to the young boy who observed his ministry closely.
The turning point in Ekuma's faith journey occurred following a healing service where the pastor had been actively ministering to congregants. After the emotionally charged session concluded, the pastor sent the 13-year-old Ekuma on an errand that would plant seeds of doubt about the Christian faith he was being taught.
The Panadol Errand That Sparked Doubt
"After a healing service he will send me to go and buy panadol for his headache after screaming," Ekuma wrote in his Facebook post. This routine assignment following intense healing sessions led the teenager to question the efficacy of the prayers he witnessed.
The young Ekuma began wondering: if the pastor's prayers couldn't heal a common headache, how effective could they possibly be for the hundreds of people who flocked to the altar seeking healing from various illnesses and life problems? This logical contradiction between the pastor's proclaimed spiritual authority and his physical vulnerability created cognitive dissonance that would eventually contribute to Ekuma's departure from Christianity.
Social Media Reactions to the Revelation
The sharing of this personal experience has generated diverse reactions from social media users, reflecting the complex relationship many Nigerians have with religious authority and personal faith.
Eddie Thamii Johnson commented: "It's amazing the things people get backsliding for....some for cars. Others for houses ...Others for headaches...They are always coveting things ...And demand these from God ...If they not get...They come here on Facebook and badmouth God and other Christians. Weak men."
EJIKE STEVEN .E. AYOGU offered a different perspective: "Sometimes doctors can heal themselves... Besides headaches is natural thing, there are those afflicted by the devil and can only need divine healing from God."
Master E Emmanuel provided a more balanced view: "Na Una type they kill most pastors, you are making it look like they are supernatural being.. Everything no be by prayer..stress is not an attack.. If you are stressed out and you pray you won't be effective... Just because he took panadol does not make healing fake..he is just sincere...pls note there is a man before God...is call Man of God.. meaning humanity must show."
Broader Context of Faith Transitions
Ekuma's story is not isolated in Nigeria's religious landscape. Other individuals have similarly shared experiences that led them to question or leave their faith communities. In related accounts, former church members and even ex-pastors have come forward with narratives about their departures from Christianity, often citing similar moments of cognitive dissonance between religious teachings and observed realities.
These personal testimonies highlight the ongoing conversations within Nigerian society about faith, authority, and personal spiritual journeys. As more individuals feel empowered to share their experiences publicly, these discussions continue to evolve, reflecting the diverse spiritual paths Nigerians navigate in contemporary society.
