Today is the annual IGOC at KICC with Pastor Matthew Cashimolowo [sic] at the helm:
“Are you ready to be empowered at this year’s International Gathering of Champions?
Joining host Senior Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo this August are some of Christendom’s leading teachers, preachers and prophets including: Bishop TD Jakes, Prophetess Juanita Bynum, Bishop Eddie Long, Pastor Jamal Bryant, Bishop Tudor Bismark, Bishop David Oyedepo, Dr Bill Winston, Pastor Robb Thompson and Dr Mensah Otabil.
From Sunday 24th – Sunday 31st August you will be joining more than 140,000 people at the London eXcel for Europe’s premier Christian conference. IGOC is renowned for equipping Christians with the insightful and practical knowledge they need to lead successful lives.
Come and learn how and why you are empowered to prosper.”
It’s a theological train wreck. I went to IGOC back in 2001, I think. I took my notepad and when TD Jakes preached I didn’t get more than two or three lines down. I remember coming away feeling deflated, I didn’t get the spiritual high I was seeking.
According to my Facebook page, several of my friends from my former church are going as well 
I used to wonder why midweek Bible study and prayer meetings were nearly empty, but when IGOC rolls around, many Christians (including myself at one point) would find themselves to hear people like those aforementioned.
I know ears are being tickled, but where are the Biblical conferences in London/UK? Do they exist? I’d never even heard of many sound teachers until last year…
Alan Higgins said,
25/08/2008 at 1:11 am
You know, here in the UK, it sometimes feels like I am the only person who feels how you feel. Its good to see another person with their biblical antennas on. I touched on IGOC at http://realchristianity.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/another-christian-advert-on-the-bus/
Stephen Olan said,
25/08/2008 at 11:40 am
You are most definitely not alone in feeling that way. Myself and brother Douglas (from http://blackreformingkid.wordpress.com) have also attended IGOC and plan on going to the youth section this week (simply for research purposes, honest!). It was only last year that I knew there were sound teachers in the UK.
Sorry but I had to chuckle at your calling Pastor Matthew “Cashimolowo”. I remember him coming to my former church speaking of a “24 hour miracle” and how we must sow £240 seeds. I foolishly partook. I’m still waiting for my 24 hour miracle.
I love your blog btw. Our testimonies sound so very alike. My fathers a pastor of a pentecostal church but I left to attend the Met Tab at Elephant and Castle. Look forward to read more posts from you!
naturalsystah said,
25/08/2008 at 12:14 pm
Alan – I know what you mean. My best friend was reading a book by Charles Spurgeon at work and a Christian colleague sneered and asked “Who’s he?”. If it was Jakes or Bynum the colleague would have been impressed.
I truly had no idea that many others here in the UK have had similar experiences to me regarding leaving pentecostalism, this is encouraging and stops me from feeling to despondent like Elijah – surely the Lord has reserved 7000 unto Himself
Hello Stephen! I look forward to reading the fruits of your research! The name Cashimolow is quite fitting, doncha think? LOL
John said,
26/08/2008 at 11:55 am
It’s not just that way in the UK. There is a lack of Biblical teaching everywhere. By the way, what has become of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’s church (Westminster)? Has it remained conservative and reformed since he passed away? Have you ever been there?
naturalsystah said,
26/08/2008 at 2:45 pm
John – to be honest I had to google Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones to find out about Westminster Chapel… I’ve only ever read a few pages of his sermons and writings!
According to Wikipedia it’s a member of the FIEC which isn’t a denomination per se and the current pastor is Greg Haslam, who was formerly pastor of a Newfrontiers church which I believe has charismatic roots.
Yomi said,
07/09/2008 at 3:15 am
Cashimolowo? How apt.
Stephen, don’t count on getting that miracle.
Steve Sacman said,
26/11/2008 at 11:45 am
In total agreement with all the comments so far….
It’s so refreshing to see that more Christians especially here in the UK are waking up to the total falsehood of these events…As an ex Pentecostal myself I’ve been trying to bring my fellow brothers and sisters into the truth and will continue to do so.
I am encouraged in seeing that more are leaving the movement that is based on “superficial , emotional and spiritual feeliality” and getting back to the truth of the scriptures “sola scriptura”… It’s been a total relief and blessing to come across the likes of Alan, Douglas and Stephen and many others also who are not blogging on the net.
Let’s keep our focus on Christ and continue in leading the lost to Him…
I actually went to this years “Gathering” (just for research like Bro Olan..LOL!!) and witnessed T D Jakes put on an interesting performance…. Couldn’t watch the whole show as an hour of the “Jakester” and his hammond organ accompanist was all I could take…
I included some of what I unfortunately witnessed in a article that I wrote entitled “The Gospel Of You” you can check the link on Alan’s Real Christianity blog site: http://realchristianity.wordpress.com/2008/10/27/the-gospel-of-you/
Keep up the good work Naturalsis…
Steve…
naturalsystah said,
15/12/2008 at 9:51 pm
Steve – thanks for your comment. I never thought that it was necessary for the Church to be so needful of discernment! You did well to watch one hour of the Jakester (I like that nickname, lol!), I can’t stomach even half of that.
Steve Sacman said,
16/12/2008 at 4:28 pm
Trust me…. It was pain man, real pain… But all in the name of Godly research…. ha ha..
Stay blessed Sis…
peace….