In a recent interview with BBC News Pidgin, Jimmy Odukoya, the newly appointed lead pastor of the Fountain of Life Church, addressed the controversy surrounding his appearance, which includes dreads and tattoos, asserting that he has biblical support for his choices.
The announcement of Jimmy Odukoya taking over as the lead pastor of the church following the passing of his father, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, had stirred up debates on social media regarding his unconventional look.
During the interview, Odukoya emphasized that he is committed to his new role and views it as a significant responsibility. He defended his appearance by citing various scriptural references.
Odukoya stated, “God has called me into this new season of my life. All my focus is on the church. This new position is a big responsibility. As for my dreads, most people don’t know I can back up everything I do with scripture.”
He continued, “As a pastor, I can tell you that God told Samson in the Bible not to cut his hair, that means long hair is never a bad thing. If you also say the pastor is keeping a beard, I can tell you that the Bible says that when Jesus was tortured, they pulled hair from his face.”
Odukoya further explained, “If you say I am putting on earrings, I can tell you that when the children of Israel left Egypt and wanted to make a golden calf, they collected jewelry, earrings, and rings from their sons and daughters.”
He concluded by urging people not to judge him based on personal opinions, emphasizing that personal choices are distinct from labeling something as sinful. Odukoya noted his ordination as a minister in 2009 and his role as the lead pastor of the youth church until 2021, highlighting his experience in the ministry.
