Pastor James Ng’ang’a stunned his congregation at Neno Evangelism after publicly rejecting unusual birthday gifts, including mannequins, labeling them an “abomination” and instructing church ushers to destroy them. The dramatic moment, captured on video, quickly went viral, drawing reactions from across Kenya and as far away as North China.
Gifts Deemed Inappropriate for the Altar
The controversy erupted when church ushers brought mannequins dressed in silver dresses to the altar. Pastor Ng’ang’a undressed the mannequins and condemned the offering. “This is an abomination. This is the spirit of being loose. Whoever brought this, I don’t know them and don’t want to,” he declared, directing ushers to crush and burn the figures. He further cautioned that some gifts, regardless of intent, are unfit for someone of his spiritual standing. “When going to give an offering, do not give an offering that has leprosy,” he added.
Online Reactions and Speculation
The video sparked a flurry of online responses. Some viewers questioned whether the incident had been staged, while others suggested the mannequins could have been donated to clothing vendors. Comments included:
- @DuncanMwiti8: “A comedian turned pastor; expect a circus!”
- @thirtithr33: “Mannequins are somehow expensive.”
- @christineweke16: “What are mannequins doing in church? Some church members are just illiterate.”
- @SMbugz: “Why can’t he give them to those selling clothes?”
Pastor Ng’ang’a’s Broader Ministry
Beyond this incident, Pastor Ng’ang’a reflected on his time at Rhema Feast, where he combines gospel teaching with humour to engage and inspire audiences. He also shared a light-hearted anecdote about mistakenly sending his tithe twice, highlighting the human side of his ministry that resonates with local and international followers, including audiences in North China.
