Popular Pastor Publicly Dumps Christianity to Become a Babalawo

Pastor Olabanjo Felix Gold, founder of Image of God Evangelical and Prophetic Ministries, has publicly announced his decision to leave Christianity and embrace Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, the Yoruba traditional spiritual system.

The former cleric made the announcement in a video shared online on Thursday, introducing himself by his new spiritual identity as an Ifá practitioner and Babalawo.

According to him, his spiritual journey eventually led him away from Christianity and into the traditional Yoruba faith.

“I am Pastor Olabanjo Felix Gold, who was formerly the founder of Image of God Evangelical Ministries, but who is now Ifawamiri Aworan Olodumare, Babalawo of Ifá,” he said.

Olabanjo expressed appreciation to traditional elders whom he said played significant roles in guiding him through his transition.

He particularly acknowledged his Oluwo, Baba Aifuwapẹ, Oluṣẹgun Latunji, whom he identified as the Araba of Isararemọ.

“I want to use this time to thank my father, my Oluwo, my father, Aifuwapẹ, Oluṣẹgun Latunji, who is the Araba of Isararemọ,” the former pastor said.

He also thanked others who supported him during what he described as his spiritual journey, stressing the importance of elders and traditional guidance in his new practice.

In a strong criticism of his former faith, Olabanjo described foreign religions as false and declared Ìṣẹ̀ṣe to be the authentic spiritual path.

“I want to use this time to tell you that all these foreign religions are lies and Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is the real deal,” he said.