The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has criticised pastors who regularly travel to the United States and other foreign countries to conduct revival programmes.

Speaking in Lagos, Ayodele challenged such clerics to channel their evangelistic efforts toward what he described as more spiritually challenging environments, rather than organising frequent crusades abroad. According to him, many of these trips are driven more by personal comfort than genuine soul-winning.

He argued that taking revival meetings to America should not be the priority when, in his view, there are spiritually difficult places that require stronger evangelistic engagement.

“Going to America to do revival is a lie. Why can’t you go to the camp of witches and wizards to convert them? Going to America is a pleasure,” he said.

Ayodele stressed that authentic evangelism should target environments perceived as spiritually dark instead of well-structured foreign gatherings. He added that pastors ought to demonstrate boldness by reaching out to challenging mission fields rather than hosting high-profile international events.

The cleric also spoke about his philanthropic activities, saying they are rooted in his personal mission and convictions. He explained that helping the needy is a practical expression of the message he preaches.

“What informed my philanthropy is because it’s my mission. If I don’t do it, I won’t feel good. If I put clothes in the wardrobe, someone else will wear them when I die.

“So I don’t keep money; I don’t have to keep money when people are suffering. As a pastor, you follow what you preach. It is what I preach that I am demonstrating. It’s just common sense,” he said.