Tobi Adegboyega, pastor of the church group known as SPAC Nation, is set to be deported back to Nigeria after living in the UK illegally for 20 years. SPAC Nation is an evangelical Pentecostal Christian organization based in South London. It became infamous in 2017 after they held public events in high-end locations, such as the Grand Sapphire Hotel.
The prosperity gospel is one of the most prominent false teachings in modern Christianity. Also known as the “Word of Faith” movement, this belief centers around the idea that health and material prosperity are earned from God. Members of the church, and most conspicuously Pastor Tobi, have been seen wearing designer clothing, and arriving in expensive cars while being touted as having founded successful businesses through their involvement with the group.
Years ago, SPAC Nation was praised for its work in reaching young people affected by crime. Gang-affiliated youth were encouraged to drop their weapons before the altar during church services. Adegboyega set up safe houses”, where young people in danger could find refuge. Hope Dealers, a rap group affiliated with SPAC Nation is credited with pioneering the music genre known as “gospel drill”, featured on the popular BBC radio show Fire in the Booth.
The BBC released a documentary called Gangs, Drill & Prayer which drew attention to the mission and rise to success. Both the Conservative and Labour parties have publicly supported the church. Former Conservative MP for Croydon Central, Gavin Barwell, has made many statements of support for SPAC Nation. He said speaking at one of the services was “an honor” and said it was “amazing to see how they’ve changed the lives of so many young people in Croydon”.
In 2019, controversy began to build as London’s Metropolitan Police started an investigation over allegations of fraud. They also noted that the group acted like a cult and pressured its young members to take out loans and commit benefit fraud to donate to the group. Other former members also made shocking allegations of abuse related to Tobi Adegboyega.
One former member claimed that they were pressured into donating blood for money and then turning those proceeds over to the church. Adegboyega said “I don’t care what you guys have to do to raise your seed – you’re going to raise it.” in 2020 the group rebranded itself to The NXTION Family” to dodge controversy. Tobi Adegboyega has officially stepped down as senior pastor.
However, the group is still run by Adegboyega. The group is notably light on Christian theology. Members refer to him as “PT.” The pastor came to the UK from Nigeria on a visitor’s visa in 2005. However, a judge has ruled that the work of his church would likely continue without his physical presence. They also cited the evidence of financial mismanagement under his leadership.
The pastor has tried to legitimize his status before but has been unsuccessful. In his final appeal, he noted that deportation would interfere disproportionately with his family life – and with his British partner. Judges countered that his relationship with his partner and his contributions to society were formed while he was unlawfully in the UK, limiting their validity as counter pleas.
Featured image: Aijayreports, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped).