“Someone out there is waiting for you for a lifetime. You cannot afford to fail them; failing them is failing God. Remember, God is speaking to you through them, saying: ‘They are fatherless, so that you can be their father’. ‘They are lonely, so that you can be their companion.’ ‘They are in want, so that you can be their benefactor.' "

TB Joshua on 12/06/08

June 12th 2008 will be forever imprinted in the hearts of countless less privileged and physically challenged people who graced the occasion of Prophet T.B. Joshua’s 45th birthday and all who witnessed this extraordinary celebration. Where most would expect an event dedicated to the celebrant himself, T.B. Joshua explained, “Times like this are not for celebrating our personal achievements in life; they are meant to celebrate those out there who are waiting for us to put quality smiles on their faces – the widows, orphans, fatherless, weak, isolated, lonely, dwarfs and physically challenged in our society.” In the light of this, on Thursday, June 12th 2008, The SCOAN auditorium was transformed into a stunning banquet hall where the guests were not the renowned or the privileged but the oppressed, the downtrodden, the lonely and lowly in society. The celebration was wholly devoted to them; they received special care and attention and enjoyed sumptuous delicacies fit for royalty.

In a thought-provoking message, titled, SOMEONE IS WAITING FOR YOU Prophet T.B. Joshua humbly addressed the world in a special live broadcast on Emmanuel TV. Drawing no attention to himself, he called on all to hear the cries of the deprived across the globe and attend to their needs, saying, “Someone out there is waiting for you for a lifetime. You cannot afford to fail them; failing them is failing God. Remember, God is speaking to you through them, saying: ‘They are fatherless, so that you can be their father.’ ‘They are lonely, so that you can be their companion.’ ‘They are in want, so that you can be their benefactor.’

Loving not only in word but also in deed and truth (1 John 3:18), Prophet T.B. Joshua and The Emmanuel TV Team immediately demonstrated the message with an incredible display of charity. The packed auditorium and viewers around the world watched in awe as they witnessed the giving of scholarships, accommodation and financial aid to the physically challenged, widows, fatherless, dwarves and aged ones, alongside the distribution of four trailer loads of rice. An occasion normally associated with the celebrant on the receiving hand had become a rare opportunity to give.

Advising viewers around the world, T.B. Joshua said, “It is our duty to take care of the needy in our midst. There is a promise of God attached to this. Therefore, every one of you should take on the responsibility of taking care of at least one of the fatherless as if they were your biological children. Have them live among your own children and train them, as you would your biological children. I am very sure that is what God wants you to do to realise your own destiny. These orphans need you to discover their directions – their goals in life.”

The beautiful occasion truly saw lives changed, hearts touched and hope rekindled! We pray this account would inspire you to let love be uppermost in your hearts and to put quality smiles on the faces of those who have been waiting for you for a lifetime. Take time to reflect on the words of Jesus in Luke 14:12-14 - "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

To maintain a true friendship therefore, we should less on ourselves and more on others. This is the only way we can commit more faith and love in the society of which we are a part. Someone out there is waiting for your for a lifetime. You cannot afford to fail them. You may not be sent to everyone, but you are definitely sent to someone. Find those who need you and what you have to offer.

T.B. Joshua says: "Every man has something to plant, big or small. Giving is not only in monetary terms; you can give out your love, kindness, faith compassion, words of wisdom and every other good thing the Lord has given you. Whichever way you find yourself in the position to meet a need, do so with cheerfulness, for the Lord loves a cheerful giver".

We thank God for His amazing grace in the life-journey of T.B. Joshua, for what He has done, is doing and is able to do. Happy 45th Birthday Prophet T.B. Joshua. Keep running the straight race through God’s good grace.
Rest assured - the best is yet to come!

12/06/08 - Here are the aged ones and orphans TB Joshua has been caring for, for the last 15 years. The children, who were previously begging on the streets, are among those he is sponsoring educationally from primary to tertiary level, and the very school uniforms they are wearing were provided by the ministry.

12/06/08 - Thousands graced the occasion of the man of God's birthday.

12/06/08 - This group of dwarves were among the beneficiaries, receiving aid, both financial and physical.

12/06/08 - Many were invited to the celebration, including the blind, lepers and crippled.

12/06/08 - Truly, quality smiles were restored back to the faces of the physically challenged people who attended the occasion!

12/06/08 - According to T.B. Joshua, "Times like this are not meant for wild merry-making and purposeless partying, but an occasion to celebrate the life of God in us"

12/06/08 - A group of orphans in their school uniforms, giving thanks to God for the life of T.B. Joshua on his birthday.