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 gathering, organised by Eze’s Streams of Joy International, attracted worshippers from across the United Kingdom and several other countries.
Although attendance was free, participants were required to register ahead of the event because of the stadium’s limited capacity. However, the turnout reportedly exceeded the available space, leaving thousands of people outside the 74,000-capacity venue.
In a video message on Monday, Eze expressed regret to those who had travelled long distances to attend the conference but were turned away.
He said he was particularly saddened to learn that some worshippers had travelled from countries including Australia, North Macedonia and Sweden.
«“Before I continue, I want to sincerely, from the depth of my heart, apologise to the tens of thousands of people who were turned back,” Eze said.»
According to the pastor, hearing that worshippers had travelled from different parts of the world only to be denied entry made the situation more painful.
“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 personal control and that of Streams of Joy International, while acknowledging the disappointment and criticism expressed by 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 those who were unable to enter that organisers had taken note of the incident and would put measures in place 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 the affected worshippers, saying he had been deeply troubled since learning the scale of the crowd that was 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.
Looking ahead to next year’s conference, Eze said the organisers would learn from the incident and take steps to improve arrangements.
“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 conference, held last Saturday, featured Eze alongside gospel ministers including Sunmisola Agbebi, Mercy Chinwo, Dunsin Oyekan and Kaestrings.
Eze concluded his message with another apology to those who were unable to enter 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.
