Pastor Ezekiel Odero: Background, Education, Marriage & False Teachings

Pastor Ezekiel Odero is a new sensation in Kenyan Televangelist who has been attracting many people from all over the country to his Church which is located in Mavueni, Kilifi County. Thousands gather every Sunday at his New Life Church which is located in Mavueni.

Pastor Ezekiel Odero Background

He was born on Rusinga Island in Suba, Homa Bay County. In a poverty-stricken family. After completing high school he traveled to Coast whew he has spent more than 20 years. He attended Miwani High School in Chemelil where he scored a mean grade of C plain in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination.

Before joining Maximum Miracle  Centre Church (a mega prosperity and charismatic church in Kenya), he served as a pianist and a choir teacher in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. At the maximum miracle center, he became a praise and worship leader.

While under Bishop Pius Muiru’s Maximum miracle center, he met Dorcas Rigathi, Kenya’s Deputy President’s wife.

Pastor Ezekiel Odero Marriage

 Ezekiel Odero is married to Pastor Sarah whom she met in Kongowea. They have two children and one adopted child.

The Doctrine of Pastor Ezekiel

Ezekiel Odero has gained followership from people who are looking for prayers and healing. In an interview, he said he prayed for women who had been declared barren by doctors “only for God to open their wombs”

He also sells what he calls “living water|” and handkerchiefs. He defends the practice claiming that the handies and water have healing powers to those who believe. He adds God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow. He puts marks on the merchandise to prevent fraud.

With each item selling at 100 Kenya shilling and with thousands flocking this church every Sunday, you can just guess how much he bags every week. He claimed that an average of 50,000 people attend his services every Sunday.

Bishop Miuru is pastor Ezekiel’s advisor and spiritual father (a very common terminology among charismatics)

Is Pastor Ezekiel a False Teacher?

He first came into the limelight last year when he filled Kasarani National Stadium with a capacity of 64, 000 people. Many people wondered how he was able to do this. Many people have been following pastor Ezekiel recently.

His sermons would talk of stars (nyota in Kiswahili), Zodiac ideology that your suffering or challenges are because your star has been captured. While this kind of teaching is alien to the Bible, many Kenyans have been deceived to believe this lie.

1. He Tickles His Members’ Ears

His sermons focus on health and wealth. He believes that people are suffering because of something the devil did. He is a word of faith teacher and dangerous. He tells his congregation what they want to hear. He manipulates to his own advantage. Taking advantage of the weak and suffering, he robs them of what they have by selling them useless handkerchiefs and water.

2. He sells Prayers

God does not need a handkerchief or bottled water to heal anyone. As the centurion said, “Send a word,” God is able to heal anyone, anytime if he wills. Pastor Ezekiel has not been able to understand this.

 The Bible says that we should give freely because we have been given freely.

3. He Does not Preach the Gospel

There is no single sermon of Pastor Ezekiel articulating the Gospel clearly. I have not seen one of his sermons articulating the holiness of the sinfulness of man and what God has done to save mankind. His sermons focus more on healing other than what Bible teaches.

4. He Performs Fake Miracles

There is no proof of anyone being healed by pastor Ezekiel. Many of the people prayed there, but no one has come out healed. He objects to their lack of faith and casts the blame on them.

From the above reasons, it is very clear beyond doubt that Pastor Ezekiel is a false teacher and a wolf that must be avoided.

Why was Pastor Ezekiel Odero Arrested?

Ezekiel Odero was arrested by police being accused of mass killing of his followers. He was arrested by police following allegations that deaths had been occurring at his New Life International Church.

The morgue attendants of a funeral home near his church are said to have been collecting dead bodies from his church which is nearby. It is feared that these would people who would come to his church seeking healing and end up succumbing to various illnesses.

Paul Mackenzie Nthenge has also been arrested after telling his members to starve themselves to death in order to meet Jesus. His actions have led to the death of more than 90 percent.