Pastor David Ibiyeomie Salvation Ministries, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said those whose phones ring inside the church are poor.
The cleric reportedly said this while addressing his congregants on Sunday.
According to PM News, Ibiyeomie said wealthy people switch off their phones and concentrate fully during service.
“Anyone whose phone rings in church is a poor man; his thinking is poor. Rich people don’t switch on their phones in church because they don’t want anybody to disturb them.”
“But poor people switch it on because they want alert; It is a sign of poverty. You will never see a wealthy man switch on his phone in church, he will say, ” I want to hear something that will help improve my life.
“But the poor will say, “make I see weda somebody go send me money”. It is a poverty mentality. You are in a church where the poor come and become wealthy.
“Off your phone but if your phone rings you have signed up for poverty. Your mentality is poor, it’s not money in your pocket yet. Somebody say I hear.”
Ibiyeomie was in the news for a controversial reason last year when he described On-Air-Personality Daddy Freeze as a bastard over his criticism of Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel.
Ibiyemoie, who said Oyedepo was his father, added that he could not watch Daddy Freeze insult Oyedepo.
His harsh comments against the radio personality had triggered a backlash.
