The General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Pastor Mensa Otabil has issued a severe warning to anyone thinking about immigrating to Europe.
Otabil emphasized a significant change in the dynamics of global evangelism in a recent sermon titled “The Great Commission 1: Go,” which was the first of a three-part series.
He cited Matthew 28:16–20, the biblical chapter in which Jesus gives his disciples instructions to proclaim the gospel.
Speaking to his group, Otabil highlighted a dramatic shift in the spread of Christianity.
He said Europe once the epicenter of Christianity, is now experiencing a phenomenon of ‘reverse evangelization,’ with Africa emerging as the new hub of spreading the Gospel”
“We in Africa have become mostly those who have the Gospel, and they in Europe have become those who don’t have the Gospel.
“So those who brought us the Gospel are now empty of the Gospel so there is reverse evangelization taking place all over the world from Africa to the rest of the world, it is no longer from Europe to Africa.
“It’s now Africa to the world because Europe has become post-Christian. Until probably about the last 60 -50 years, Europe was the main center of Christianity, that is how all the main Christian ideas came about,” he stated.
Otabil preached against neglecting one’s spiritual basis during prosperous times, drawing comparisons to biblical warnings.
He claims that the European nations are losing sight of the basis for their prosperity, which will ultimately result in their collapse.
He referred to Europe as a “sinking ship” that is about to capsize.
“God also warned the Israelites, remember when you are wealthy and strong you do not forget the Lord your God.
“They have forgotten the God who made them who they are and if you look at the Global world, Europe, and the Western world, they are going down very fast. Those of you who are running there, are running into a sinking ship. It’s going down, I mean it is just a matter of time,” he added.
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Otabil further preached about the downfall of Europe and attributed it to what he termed “apostasy” – a departure from religious belief.
“Civilization, as we perceive it, is not the solution; rather, it’s the source of their downfall.
“America will not be the superpower again, and Europe will not be the superpower again.
“They are just going down and the main reason is they have forgotten the source of their help. We think that it is civilization, but the Bible calls it apostasy.”
He urged Africans to take up the mantle and preach the gospel across the world.
“So when we think about the Gospel, we don’t think about people bringing the Gospel to Africa, we are thinking of Africa taking the Gospel to the rest of the world…When Jesus said go to the nations he meant every group of people who do not know the Gospel, go to them.”
