Following his recent ordination as the Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Jimmy Odukoya finds himself under scrutiny for his choice of attire and appearance. The scrutiny intensified after the passing of his father. While some critics and certain members of the Christian community argue that a man of God should adhere to modest dressing and uphold a humble standard, many in his congregation vehemently disagree. DAMOLA KOLA-DARE reports
Fate made him switch the silver screen for the pulpit. Jimmy Odukoya now has the onerous task of leading the Fountain of Life Church fold after his father, Taiwo Odukoya, 67, died in the United States on August 7. Jimmy, actor, musician, and first child of the late pastors Bimbo and Taiwo Odukoya, was elected senior pastor of the church on Sunday, September 17.
Sources said he was nominated and elected chairman and chairman board of trustees of the Church, while his installation held on Saturday, September 30 at the church’s headquarters in Ilupeju, Lagos. It is a familiar terrain of sort to him; he had been a pastor in the youth wing of the church since 2012. A source at the church said Jimmy is passionate about youth ministry and committed to teaching the word. Married to Oluwakemi Odukoya and with a daughter, the pastor featured prominently in Nollywood movies. He made his debut in 2016 with the movie, ‘Baby Shower.’
Jimmy, a man of many parts
Monikered “Lion of God” from birth, according to him, Jimmy played a lead role in Netflix’s ‘Woman King.’ He also featured in other films like ‘Lifting the Veil,’ ‘I am Nazzy,’ and ‘Oga Pastor,’ among a host of others. His exploits earned him a nomination for the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award in the “Best Supporting Actor of the Year” category. Beyond the klieg lights of Nollywood, he is a motivational speaker, dancer, rapper and a fitness enthusiast.
Before his father’s demise, he had granted an interview to Iretiola Doyle in 2021, stating that his role as a pastor does not interfere with his acting career. “How does being a pastor affect my acting career? I don’t believe it; some people have different opinions, one is if I am an actor, I should be a Christian actor, and I say there is no such thing,” he said. But in his new role as senior pastor and general overseer, it remains to be seen if he can now combine acting with it.
How not to dress as a man of God?
For critics, his physical appearance does not mirror the calling of a minister of the gospel. They believe a church leader should be modest in dressing; there must be that puritanical aura. According to them, there must be a huge difference between Jimmy the actor and Jimmy the pastor. Much has been said about his elevation to the position of senior pastor, while his grooming is being questioned. Jimmy wears a big dreadlock, with a sturdy body and stocky biceps.
Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), during the installation on Saturday, said: “I remember many years ago, big mummy (his wife) and I laid hands on your parents when this church started, and today, we are also laying hands on both of you. God does not use perfect instruments. He uses those who seem unqualified to the natural eye.”
However, publisher/editor-in-chief, Christian Benefits magazine, Wole Olarinde, urged Jimmy to have a rethink and appear like a true priest. “I think the young man should have a rethink to cut the true picture of a priest conforming to the priestly etiquette. Of course, God can choose anyone either within and outside the family of a deceased church founder as the successor, but whoever is chosen to become the priest or pastor must conform both in character and manner to the priestly etiquette.
“Bankers have dressing etiquette. Doctors have dressing etiquette. Lawyers have dressing etiquette. Muslim imams have dressing etiquette. Even it is against the police dressing etiquette for officers to wear a beard, not to even talk of wearing dreadlocks. Priests and pastors have dressing/appearance etiquette that people easily identify them with. So, that young man should conform to the priestly etiquette both in manner and character,” he said.
My looks, appearance scripture-compliant, says Jimmy
In a timely riposte, he told BBC in an interview that he found approval for his looks and calling in the scriptures. He said: “God has called me into this new season of my life. This new position is a big responsibility. All of my focus is here (on the church). As for my dreads, most people don’t know I can back up everything I do with (the) scripture.
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“If you say I’m wrong to keep my hair as a pastor, I can tell you that God told Samson not to cut his hair in the Bible. That means long hair is not a bad thing. Also, if you say the pastor is keeping a beard, I can tell you that the Bible says that when Jesus was tortured, they pulled hair from his face.
“If you say this pastor is putting on earrings, I can tell you that in the book of Exodus, when the children of Israel got out of Egypt and wanted to do golden calf, they collected jewelry, rings, and earrings from their sons and daughters. Anybody can do what they want. A personal opinion is different from saying something is sinful. You should not use your own personal opinion to judge me.
“I was ordained as a minister in 2009 and became a pastor in the church in 2012. I was the lead pastor of the youth church until 2020 or 2021. With the things I’ve witnessed in life, there’s nothing that can shake me. I’ve lost two of the closest people to me—my father and mother—and, to an extent, some members of my family, including my aunt and grandparents. When the thing you feared most happens, then there’s nothing again. In all of this, my father was a strong man. He was full of life and energy,” he said.
Inside Fountain of Life Church
This reporter attended the church on Sunday, October 1. The main church auditorium was filled to the brim. Congregants were in full worship mode as the choir held everyone spellbound with their renditions. On came Jimmy with Rasta-like dreadlocks, thick beards, hand chain, silver necklace, stud earring on left ear, ring on both hands. His stocky biceps showed in his well-tailored attire. Critics argue that his late father, who appeared like the regular man of God, was a complete contrast.
Spotting an ash-coloured Italian wool native dress and a pair of black shoes, Jimmy comes across as elite-level, smooth-talking, ultra-liberal televangelist. With springy legs and flexible body, like that of a ballet dancer, he displayed his dancing skills during worship and offering time. It was akin to a stage performance. During the sermon, he wowed and roused the congregation with his spiritual exhortation. He strutted the altar with spidery authority. He took his sermon, a continuation of the previous week, from Joshua 2 vs 18, which he tagged: “Scarlet Thread part 2.” Delving deeply into the scriptures, he stated that “Scarlet Thread” represents the redemptive power of blood of Jesus Christ.
Some worshippers who spoke to The Nation were unanimous in their support for the new senior pastor. According to them, once a man of God can offer sound spiritual teachings, all other things like appearance, mode of dressing and hair style are inconsequential. They professed their love for him and his leadership, adding that once God chooses someone to lead, frivolities like style of dressing and others are less visible. One of them who simply identified herself as Helen, said: “We love him; he teaches the word. His teachings are sound and that’s what matters. He has been youth pastor in the church since 2012. You can see he delivered. That is the most important.”
Another church member who preferred anonymity said: “Those who would stay, would stay; those who would go would go. We have no choice. Appearance doesn’t matter if God has chosen the person. Let’s see what God would do. Let’s ignore what people are saying. You were in our service today and you saw his delivery. It is bound to happen. People will criticise and probably judge, but it is nothing to worry about. He is accepted here.”
Just as he said at the installation, God put him in the position and called him “worthy,” hence, the steely resolve to continue in the legacies of his late father and put a gloss on humanity.
