I am a Chosen: CAN Fumes Over Exam Malpractice Testimony

A viral video featuring a suspected member of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry in Lagos has ignited controversy after the woman shared her testimony of divine assistance during a Federal Government examination, which she claimed involved sharing answers with another candidate.

In her account, the unnamed member described an encounter during a military promotional exam, consisting of 50 questions—40 focused on career-related topics and 10 on current affairs.

She recounted her frustration with a particularly challenging question: “Mention 10 Francophone countries and their capitals.”

In her testimony, she declared her faith, exclaiming, “I am a Chosen! I am a chosen!! I am a chosen!!!” before stating that an elderly man in white apparel appeared to her and instructed her to begin writing.

After completing the initial questions, she claimed that the man returned to assist her with the remaining answers, which she found miraculous.

The woman expressed her dismay when invigilators, suspicious of her actions, removed her apron, causing the “angel” to vanish.

Upon donning the apron again, she claimed the figure reappeared, allowing her to finish all ten questions accurately.

She concluded her testimony by sharing that she assisted a fellow candidate, who belonged to another church, in completing the exam, leading to their success among 102 candidates.

The church congregation erupted in celebration following her testimony.

However, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Lagos, voiced his astonishment at the church’s acceptance of such claims, branding the testimony as a fabrication.

He emphasized that genuine divine intervention does not involve shortcuts to academic success and reiterated the importance of hard work and faith.

Bishop Adegbite indicated that the Christian community would convene the following Friday to discuss the controversies surrounding the woman’s testimony and other “unacceptable comments” made by certain Pentecostal pastors online.

He stressed the need for verification of testimonies shared in church, cautioning against narratives that lack credibility.

On the topic of miraculous events, he asserted, “God doesn’t act that way,” asserting that true divine guidance leads individuals to diligent study rather than miraculous answers during examinations.

He further criticized the church for allowing such testimonies, suggesting they should be reserved for private contexts.

Other alarming testimonies from the church have also surfaced, including claims of divine intervention from a lion during a kidnapping and bullets failing to penetrate a member’s head.

The CAN chairman dismissed these assertions as fabrications, challenging anyone to substantiate such claims through demonstrable evidence.

In response to the backlash, Pastor Chidi Louis, Head of Public Relations and Media for The Lord’s Chosen, defended the church’s approach, stating that testimonies are shared freely by members without censorship.

He asserted that the church embraces diverse expressions of faith and believes in the authenticity of its members’ experiences, regardless of public scrutiny.