Pastor Jerry Eze says sorry to worshippers turned away at prayer conference

Worshippers gathered for the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Saturday. Photo: X / @AgborMoses34

Pastor Jerry Eze has said sorry to worshippers who could not enter the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium. The stadium holds 74,000 people and is located in the UK.

The conference was organised by Eze’s Streams of Joy International. It drew worshippers from all over Britain and beyond. Although entry was free, attendees were asked to register beforehand because the number of places was limited. Reports say demand was higher than the available spots.

In a video message on Monday, Eze expressed his regret to those who travelled long distances but were turned away. Some came from as far as Australia, North Macedonia, and Sweden.

“Before I continue, I want to sincerely, from the depth of my heart, apologise. Apologise to the tens of thousands of people who were turned back,” Eze stated.

He shared that he felt especially bad after hearing that thousands were sent away, even after making long trips for the prayer meeting. “Some people travelled very far from Australia, from North Macedonia, from Sweden, from different parts of the world to come. I felt so sorry. I cannot even tell you how bad I felt when I heard that there were still tens of thousands who were asked to go back,” he said.

Eze explained that the situation was out of his hands and out of the control of Streams of Joy. He acknowledged the sadness many attendees showed on social media.

“Of course, you know me, it was beyond my control. If it was something I could influence, and you know it was not something that Streams of Joy people could influence, but people of God, I want to say I am sorry,” he said.

He mentioned that the organisers had taken note of what happened and promised it would not happen again. “It will not happen again. I see your pain as you post about it on social media and you talk about it wherever you go. I want to say I am sorry. Please forgive us,” Eze added.

The pastor kept apologising to those who could not get into the stadium. He admitted he has been troubled since he learned about the number of people who were turned away. “I am really very sorry. We are sorry. We are very sorry. We are very sorry. Forgive us. Forgive us. We are very sorry about it,” he said.

Eze assured worshippers that they would learn from this incident before next year’s event. “If it was something we knew that was going to happen and all of that, we would have done everything possible. Please forgive us. We do not take it for granted,” he said.

He added, “I assure you next year, next year, you will look back and say they really took note of it.”

The NSPPD UK Prayer Conference featured Eze along with gospel ministers like Sunmisola Agbebi, Mercy Chinwo, Dunsin Oyekan, and Kaestrings.

Eze ended his apology by saying, “I am sorry again and again. Please, once again, I am sorry about how people, tens of thousands, I mean, were sent back… I am sorry. That is all I can say.