“Money and faith a tangled web indeed.” Here we are at Zoe Outreach Embassy in Accra. It is a place that has seen both devotion and controversy.
Zoe Outreach Embassy’s story is complex. It involves faith investment and legal battles. The church gained prominence under Pastor Kelvin Elson Godson also known as Kelvin Kwasi Kobiri. He is the founder and General Overseer.
But the church’s journey took a turn. Allegations of fraud and money laundering surfaced. Pastor Kelvin and his wife Sabina Elson Godson faced charges. These charges included conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.
In 2018 Pastor Kelvin introduced the Lease buy back scheme. He promised high returns to church members and the public. People invested in lands and properties. The church would buy them back at higher prices.
However investors did not receive the promised returns. About 875 people invested over GHS 23 million. They invested with EL Real Estates Limited Tikowrie Capital Limited and Fromfrom Capital Limited.
Disgruntled customers besieged Zoe Embassy Church demanding their money. They felt betrayed. They had trusted Pastor Kelvin with their savings. Some even claimed to have received death threats.
GhanaWeb journalists faced hostility while reporting on the church. Church members prevented them from filming. One reporter was chased with a knife.
The High Court granted Pastor Kelvin and his wife bail of GH\u00a223 million. They had to meet several conditions. They had to provide sureties and report to the police. The case was adjourned to September 5 2022.
EL Real Estate Limited ventured into financial services without a license. Fine Fort Capital Limited also lacked the proper licensing. Tikowire Capital Limited and Fromfrom Capital Limited however had licenses.
These events affected Zoe Outreach Embassy. Membership declined. Some pastors disassociated themselves from Pastor Kelvin. The church faced public scrutiny and legal challenges.
Zoe Outreach Embassy remains a place of worship. Its story serves as a cautionary tale. It reminds us of the importance of transparency and accountability in religious institutions. It highlights the potential consequences of mixing faith and finance. The story of Zoe Outreach Embassy is still unfolding. Its impact on the community and its members remains to be seen.