Pastor dumps Christianity, embraces Ifá as Babalawo + Video

In another twist of event, Pastor Olabanjo Felix Gold, the founder of the Image of God Evangelical and Prophetic Ministries based in Ondo State, has publicly renounced Christianity to become an Ìṣẹ̀ṣe (Ifá) traditional priest.

The former cleric announced his new spiritual path in a video shared online on Thursday.

In the video, he introduced himself by his new spiritual name, Ifawamiri Aworan Olodumare, and said he now practises as a Babalawo, an Ifá priest.

He stated that his personal spiritual journey led him back to his traditional African heritage.

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

He publicly expressed gratitude to his spiritual teacher (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,” he said.

Olabanjo also acknowledged others who, according to him, stood by him throughout the journey, while highlighting the role of elders in the spiritual work.

The former pastor further sparked social media debate after explicitly calling foreign religions “lies” and asserting that Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is the real deal.

“I want to thank all the children who stood firmly by me wherever they raised me by hand and foot.

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

The announcement has triggered widespread discussions across Nigerian social media platforms, with onlookers debating religious freedom, personal convictions, and the intersection of cultural identity and faith.