Sunday Adelaja, the founder and senior pastor of the Embassy of God, an evangelical-charismatic megachurch in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, has admitted to having multiple sexual affairs with female parishioners at a meeting attended by more than 200 pastors.
Pastor Sunday Adejala, 48 (R) and his wife (L)
Adultery scandal erupted only after some women revealed the affairs to other area pastors, who made information public and initiated investigation.
Mr Adelaja, who earlier repeatedly denied being involved in sexual relationship with parishioners, was unfrocked and removed from leadership of the church, preaching, and counseling, according to the Russian Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith (ROSHVE).
The decision was taken after the US settled Apostle Tuff Ulissis, who performed spiritual care for Sunday Adelaja for several years, sent a letter to all the leaders in the “Embassy” that shed light on the gravity of the situation.
During the meeting with pastor Adelaja and his wife, pastor Bose Adelaja, Mr Ulissis found out that Adelaja confessed to having affairs with at least 20-30 women (and probably even more as he could’t tell the precise number of victims) and repented of his sins but did it in perfunctory manner.
The clergyman also talked to women, both married and single, who told him about Adelaja systematically using various manipulation techniques, flattering words, and his own position to force them into sexual encounters.
In a letter Apostle Tuff Ulissis wrote: “All the stories were equally horrific, disgusting and depressing. People are very sorry about the current situation with the pastor and wanted him to have psychiatric help.
I made it clear that my aim is not to destroy either the Embassy of God, because many people have found help in the church or Pastor Sunday as a person. I wanted to make sure that everything has been done to these women and the couples have received care, reconciliation and redeeming restoration.”
Interestingly, Adelaja’s confession came one month after he shared a video on his blog titled “Sexual Sin Is Not Enough to Take You to Hell.” (now deleted) What is even more surprising is that the church has not issued a public statement regarding the case as an inside matter.
Meanwhile, Adelaja’s Facebook and blog are still active. By the way, he was also accused of being involved in fraud and the dealings of King’s Capital, a financial group led by a former member of his congregation. Adelaja is reportedly planning to move from Ukraine to Nigeria for some time.
Pastor Sunday Adejala, 48 (R) and his wife (L)
Adultery scandal erupted only after some women revealed the affairs to other area pastors, who made information public and initiated investigation.
Mr Adelaja, who earlier repeatedly denied being involved in sexual relationship with parishioners, was unfrocked and removed from leadership of the church, preaching, and counseling, according to the Russian Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith (ROSHVE).
The decision was taken after the US settled Apostle Tuff Ulissis, who performed spiritual care for Sunday Adelaja for several years, sent a letter to all the leaders in the “Embassy” that shed light on the gravity of the situation.
During the meeting with pastor Adelaja and his wife, pastor Bose Adelaja, Mr Ulissis found out that Adelaja confessed to having affairs with at least 20-30 women (and probably even more as he could’t tell the precise number of victims) and repented of his sins but did it in perfunctory manner.
The clergyman also talked to women, both married and single, who told him about Adelaja systematically using various manipulation techniques, flattering words, and his own position to force them into sexual encounters.
In a letter Apostle Tuff Ulissis wrote: “All the stories were equally horrific, disgusting and depressing. People are very sorry about the current situation with the pastor and wanted him to have psychiatric help.
I made it clear that my aim is not to destroy either the Embassy of God, because many people have found help in the church or Pastor Sunday as a person. I wanted to make sure that everything has been done to these women and the couples have received care, reconciliation and redeeming restoration.”
Interestingly, Adelaja’s confession came one month after he shared a video on his blog titled “Sexual Sin Is Not Enough to Take You to Hell.” (now deleted) What is even more surprising is that the church has not issued a public statement regarding the case as an inside matter.
Meanwhile, Adelaja’s Facebook and blog are still active. By the way, he was also accused of being involved in fraud and the dealings of King’s Capital, a financial group led by a former member of his congregation. Adelaja is reportedly planning to move from Ukraine to Nigeria for some time.
