Nigerian Pastor Reacts as Bishop TD Jakes Hands over Church to Daughter, "Is Ministry Hereditary?
- Apostle Arome Osayi has made his stand on whether ministry was hereditary and transferable among family members
- The founder of Remnant Christian Network used the Bible to state that, according to the word, divinity overrode biology
- The Nigerian pastor remarked after Bishop TD Jakes handed over his church to his daughter, Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Makurdi, Benue state - The founder of Remnant Christian Network, Apostle Arome Osayi, has reacted after American preacher, Bishop TD Jakes, handed over his church, the Potter’s House, to his daughter, Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts.
Apostle Osayi said that according to the Bible, ministry was not hereditary and transferable among family members.
Source: Facebook
The Nigerian man of God said that in the work of the ministry, divinity overrode biology.
According to Apostle Osayi, natural descent through bloodlines and human decisions were all useless in matters like these.
He stated this in a post shared on his Facebook page on Monday, April 28, 2025.
"IS THE MINISTRY HEREDITARY AND TRANSFERABLE AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS? In order to answer this question, permit me to quote a passage of Scripture:
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12-13, NIV)"
Apostle Osayi said that according to the Bible, the group of people described was those qualified to do God's work.
"I love my wife and biological children, but none of them is getting involved in the ministry because they are my biological family members. They will only be involved with the ministry like every other believer working with us, as they respond to the call of Jesus and pay the requisite price to fulfil it.
"As a matter of fact, my wife did not immediately assume the role of the mother of the ministry. She had to deal with the Lord on her own for years and make a full proof of her ministry. She did not sit with the ministers in the first few years of our marriage. I also deliberately did not goad her to be 'serious with the ministry'. I let her grow at her own God-designed pace."
The preacher said this allowed his wife to develop her own hunger and thirst for the Lord and to follow this through and bear the fruits.
"Until it became incontestably clear to everyone around that the Lord’s hand is mightily upon her and she has been set apart for the work of the ministry. Similarly, my kids will not join the ministry because they're from my loins.
"If I pull strings and bring them in to take over from me, by all means, because of the position the Lord has given me, it would be me calling them and not the Lord Jesus, who is the exclusive source and dispenser of all ministry. The ministry would effectively cease to be thrust by God’s will. It would rather be pushed by human decision and the will of man."
Religious upbringing can foster genuine spiritual maturity – Sociologist
A sociologist of religion has weighed in on the recent succession of Bishop T.D. Jakes’ church leadership to his daughter, raising important questions about inherited ministry roles in independent church settings.
Emmanouela Kanakoglou, who specialises in Orthodox Christianity, told Legit.ng that such transitions would be institutionally impossible in the Orthodox or Roman Catholic Churches.
“In both the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, it is not institutionally possible for children to succeed their parents in clerical roles, as priesthood is not regarded as a hereditary calling,” she said.
“Furthermore, in these traditions, bishops are required to remain celibate in order to be eligible for episcopal ministry, making any form of familial succession inherently unfeasible.”
While noting that the church in question is independent and not bound by doctrinal rules prohibiting hereditary leadership, Kanakoglou stressed that the issue goes beyond governance.
“This situation raises a significant theological and ethical dilemma beyond questions of ecclesiastical structure: can the sacred vocation of ministry be treated as something that can be inherited?”
Spiritual councils should assess inherited leadership - Kanakoglou
Acknowledging the complexity of the matter, she continued:
“This question cannot be answered lightly. On the surface, such succession may appear inappropriate. Yet, the family's formative role in the moral and spiritual development of a person is undeniable.”
“The desire for a child to continue a parent’s religious work is not unique to faith institutions—it mirrors similar patterns in sports, politics, and the arts.”
“In fact, growing up in a deeply religious environment may cultivate a genuine vocation and spiritual maturity.”
She concluded with a call for oversight and accountability:
“Blood ties to a spiritual leader do not necessarily undermine the sanctity of ministry. On the contrary, they may reinforce it—if the succession is rooted in sincere faith and spiritual preparation.”
“In the absence of explicit prohibitions, leadership inheritance within churches should be subject to evaluation by an independent spiritual council.”
Bishop TD Jakes suffers medical emergency
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Bishop TD Jakes suffered a medical emergency during a church service.
In a video which went viral, spurred reactions from many Nigerians on social media, such as media personality Daddy Freeze.
An update on TD Jakes' health condition was later given, bringing relief to well-wishers and fans across the world.
Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a sociologist of religion for this report.
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Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
