Jerry Eze Apologises To Worshippers Turned Away At Old Trafford

Pastor Jerry Eze has apologised to thousands of worshippers who were unable to gain entry into the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference held at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, United Kingdom.

The prayer conference, organised by Eze’s Streams of Joy International, attracted worshippers from the UK and several other countries.

Although admission to the event was free, participants were required to register in advance due to the venue’s limited capacity.

However, the turnout reportedly exceeded the available space, leaving thousands of worshippers unable to enter the stadium.

In a video message on Monday, Eze expressed regret to those who travelled long distances, including from Australia, North Macedonia and Sweden, only to be turned away.

“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.

The pastor said he was particularly concerned after learning that worshippers had travelled from different parts of the world to attend the programme.

“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 said the situation was beyond his control and that of Streams of Joy International, while acknowledging the reactions from affected worshippers 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 assured the affected worshippers that the organisers had taken note of the incident and would work to prevent a recurrence.

“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.

The pastor repeatedly apologised to those who could not enter the stadium, saying he had been troubled since learning about the number of worshippers 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 said lessons would be learnt from the incident ahead of next year’s conference.

“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.

The NSPPD UK Prayer Conference, held last Saturday, featured Eze and gospel ministers including Sunmisola Agbebi, Mercy Chinwo, Dunsin Oyekan and Kaestrings.

Eze ended his message with another apology to worshippers who were unable to gain entry into the stadium.

“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,” he said.