Pastor Jerry Eze has apologised to worshippers who were turned away from the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference held at Manchester United’s 74,000-capacity Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, United Kingdom.
The conference, organised by Pastor Jerry Eze’s Streams of Joy International, attracted worshippers from across the UK and other parts of the world. Although attendance was free, participants were required to register ahead of the event as capacity was limited, with demand reportedly exceeding available spaces.
In a video message on Monday, Eze apologised to those who travelled long distances to attend the gathering but were unable to gain entry. He said some attendees had travelled 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 said.
Pastor Jerry said he was particularly distressed after learning that thousands of worshippers were still turned away despite travelling from different parts of the world to attend 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, however, said the situation was beyond his control and that of Streams of Joy International, while acknowledging complaints from affected attendees 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 said the organisers had taken note of the incident and assured worshippers that similar problems would be avoided in future.
“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 said.
He repeatedly apologised to those who could not enter the stadium, saying he had been troubled since learning 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 also assured attendees that lessons would be learnt from the incident ahead of next year’s gathering.
“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.
“I assure you next year, next year, you will look back and say they really took note of it.”
The NSPPD UK Prayer Conference, held last Saturday, featured Eze alongside gospel ministers including Sunmisola Agbebi, Mercy Chinwo, Dunsin Oyekan and Kaestrings.
Eze concluded his message by renewing his apology to those who were unable to gain entry.
“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.”
