Popular Ondo Pastor Dumps Christianity, Embraces Ifa Worship

A popular Ondo State pastor, Olabanjo Felix Gold, has announced his decision to leave Christianity and embrace Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, the Yoruba traditional religious practice, declaring himself a Babalawo.

Olabanjo, who was formerly the founder of Image of God Evangelical and Prophetic Ministries, made the disclosure in a video shared online.
Introducing himself in the video, the cleric said his spiritual journey had led him away from Christianity and into Ifa worship.

He said, “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.”

The former pastor also expressed appreciation to the traditional spiritual elders who, according to him, guided him through his new spiritual path.

He specifically thanked his 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 appreciated those who he said stood by him throughout his spiritual journey, stressing the importance of elders in traditional spiritual practice.

The former cleric, who now identifies as Ifawamiri Aworan Olodumare, went further to denounce foreign religions, including Christianity, while declaring his belief in Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.
“All these foreign religions are lies and Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is the real deal,” he said.

His declaration has since generated reactions on social media, particularly because of his previous position as a Christian pastor and founder of an evangelical ministry.

The development has also renewed discussions about religious conversion and the growing interest in indigenous Yoruba spirituality among some Nigerians.