CAN condemns Prophet Fufeyin over claim first fruit offering forgives sins of fraudsters

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has strongly criticised Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, General Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, for teaching that giving a “first fruit” offering can cleanse all sins, including those committed by fraudsters.

CAN labelled the teaching as “heresy” and warned Nigerians not to be misled by individuals with questionable theological credentials.

The controversial statement by Fufeyin was made during a sermon at his church, where he asserted that giving the first income of the year brings not only blessings but also spiritual cleansing, even for individuals involved in fraudulent activities.

“Your first income, please let it pain you, try God with it,” Fufeyin said. “Once you give it unto the Lord, it breaks protocols, even your sins, it cancels them.”

He went further, claiming that, like Jesus was God’s first fruit for humanity’s redemption, believers who offer their first earnings would receive similar forgiveness and abundance.

The sermon clip, although delivered in January 2022, resurfaced recently on social media and has sparked a wave of public backlash.

In the viral video, Fufeyin said, “When God sees that this man is a fraudster… because of the first fruit… God said, ‘I’m surely behind you because of first fruit.’”

CAN’s Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, firmly rejected the message.

“God is not fraudulent,” Ayuba said. “He does not share booty with crooks. This is heresy and false teaching. CAN does not associate with manipulators who deceive innocent Nigerians and exploit their resources.”

Echoing the disapproval, the Lagos State Chairman of CAN, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, described Fufeyin’s teachings as unbiblical and misleading.

“He is preaching out of context. He should show us where in Scripture God says first fruit offerings wipe away sins. Such teaching only encourages people to keep sinning,” he stated.

Fufeyin, popularly called “Papa J” by followers, is known for controversial teachings and selling spiritual products such as oils, perfumes, and soaps, which he claims cure various ailments.

In 2024, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) began investigating some of his products over their supposed healing properties.

Attempts to get a response from the Warri-based cleric were unsuccessful.

Calls and text messages to his known line were ignored, and a call to the church’s official number yielded a vague reply from a female staffer who refused to be identified.

She directed inquiries to the church’s admin, accusing social media users of misinterpreting sermons.