Multiple reports claim a South African pastor uses alcohol throughout his services for everything from baptisms to exorcisms.
“So this church also prays for their drinks before they are served,” says Bishop Tsietsi Makiti of the Gabola Church of International Ministry in South Africa. “With God in our taverns, we would see crime being reduced and love and respect promoted. People who drink beer are happy and peaceful. This means they are living in the shadow of God.”
Makiti started the church in a tavern earlier this year, and it has reportedly grown to more than 500 members.
Their Facebook page has multiple pictures of alcohol with the bishop and other congregants.
The news follows a growing trend of churches meeting in bars and even brewing their own alcohol to attract new members.
Alcohol staunchly divides the church, however, as many Christians refuse to imbibe at all, seeing a single drink as a sin against the Lord.
