The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has strongly criticized Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, General Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, over a controversial sermon in which he claimed that giving a “first fruit” offering can wipe away sins—including those committed through fraud.
Fufeyin, popularly known as “Papa J,” made the statement during a sermon that resurfaced online, though originally delivered in January 2022.
In the clip, the Warri-based cleric told his congregation that first fruit offerings carry spiritual power strong enough to break “protocols” and erase sins, even for known fraudsters.
“Your first income… once you give it unto the Lord, it breaks protocols, even your sins, it cancels them,” Fufeyin said, drawing applause from his audience.
He likened the offering to Jesus being given as God’s “first fruit” for the redemption of mankind.
However, CAN has condemned the message, describing it as “heresy” and cautioning the public against being misled by preachers with questionable theological training.
In a statement, the association’s National Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, said: “God is not fraudulent.
He does not share booty with crooks. He has more treasures than any man. Heresy and false teaching have no place in true Christianity.”
Ayuba emphasized that CAN does not recognize teachings that deviate from sound biblical doctrine and warned against manipulative messages used to exploit followers.
Echoing the criticism, the Lagos State Chairman of CAN, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, dismissed Fufeyin’s claims as unbiblical.
He challenged the cleric to provide scriptural backing for the assertion that offerings can erase sin and warned that such teachings might encourage people to continue in wrongdoing under the assumption that yearly donations could absolve them.
“He is preaching out of context. Such messages are dangerous and misleading,” Adegbite said.
“The Bible warns that in the end times, false teachers will arise claiming to speak for God.”
Prophet Fufeyin has previously attracted criticism for marketing various “miracle” products such as spiritual soaps, oils, and perfumes, which he claimed could address personal and health issues. In 2024, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) investigated some of these items over health-related claims.
Efforts to reach the cleric for a response were unsuccessful. Calls and text messages to his known mobile line went unanswered.
When contacted through the phone number listed on the church’s website, a female respondent declined to comment directly and advised reporters to visit the church for clarification.
“If you want to know what he said, come to the church, go through the admin and get the real copy of the message,” she said.