This happened three years ago. I still have not healed. I was a dedicated member of a fast-growing church in Abuja. I led the ushering department. I paid my tithe before I paid my rent. I believed my pastor was a man of God — flawed, yes, but holy. Then one Tuesday evening, I went to the church office to drop off offering envelopes. The pastor's door was slightly open. I heard sounds. I looked. I saw him with the choir mistress on his desk. Both married. Both "anointed." I ran home. I vomited. I prayed. The next day, I went to the head elder, a man I respected. He listened, then he said, "My daughter, the devil is trying to use you to destroy this ministry. Do you know how many souls are saved here? Do you want their blood on your hands? Go and pray. Forgive. This is a test of your maturity." A test? I was being asked to protect a predator to protect an institution. I was told that exposing him would "bring shame to the name of Jesus." But doesn't covering up bring more shame? I refused to be silent. I told three other members. Within a week, I was ostracized. I was called a "tool of Satan." The pastor preached a sermon about "Judas among us." Everyone knew he meant me. I left the church. I left church entirely for two years. We have built religious systems where the institution is more important than the individual. Where "touch not my anointed" means "cover up my sin." Where victims are sacrificed on the altar of reputation. I am not anti-church. I am anti-corruption wearing a collar. Have you ever discovered a spiritual leader's hypocrisy? Did you speak up or stay silent? And why do we protect institutions more than people?
