Pastor Enenche Fires Back Over Luxury Bag Allegations

September 15, 2025 OLAOLUWA AYOMIDE

“We Don’t Depend On Church Offerings” – Destiny Paul Enenche Fires Back At Critic Over Luxury Bag Allegations

A recent social media post targeting Destiny Paul-Enenche,the daughter of renowned Nigerian pastors Paul and Becky Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, has ignited a fiery online debate about the personal wealth of religious leaders and their families.

The controversy emerged after a critic alleged that a high-end designer handbag she was seen with was purchased using funds from church donations.

This accusation taps into a long-standing and sensitive public discourse about financial transparency and lifestyle within megachurches.

Rather than ignoring the claim, Destiny chose to address it head-on in a detailed video response on Instagram, firmly rejecting the narrative that her family lives off the congregation’s offerings.

In her video,Destiny did not merely deny the allegation but provided specific context to counter what she called the critic’s “ignorant” claim.

· The Source of the Bag: She explicitly clarified that the luxury item in question was a gift, though she did not specify from whom. This distinction is crucial, as it separates the item from any church financial system.

· Professional Background of Her Parents: She emphatically highlighted her parents’ professional qualifications outside of the pulpit. Both Pastor Paul Enenche and Pastor (Dr.) Becky Enenche are licensed medical doctors who ran a successful medical practice, The Medical Team (TMT), for years before fully transitioning into full-time ministry. She implied that their financial foundation was built independently through their medical careers.

· Church Compensation Model: Destiny made a significant statement regarding church finances, revealing that her parents “are not placed on salaries by the church.” This suggests a different model of support, potentially relying on personal investments, book sales, and other ministry-related revenue streams outside of the Sunday offering basket.

· Gifts from a Wider Network: She further explained that many of the family’s possessions, including clothing and accessories, are often gifts from admirers, business associates, and well-wishers from outside their immediate congregation, reflecting a global network of support.

This incident is not isolated.The conversation around “prosperity gospel” and the visible wealth of religious figures is a perennial topic in Nigeria and globally.

Financial experts and ministry analysts often note that large ministries like Dunamis operate complex ecosystems that include:

· Private Business Ventures: Many pastors have independent business interests established before or alongside their ministry work.

· Intellectual Property: Revenue from book publishing, music production, and paid conferences can be substantial personal income sources.

· Gifts and Honorariums: It is common for influential speakers to receive gifts and monetary honorariums for guest appearances at other events, which are separate from their home church’s finances.

Following her video,social media has been divided. Her comments have garnered significant support from church members and followers who applauded her clarity and defended the family’s right to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Read Also: Gospel Singer Burns Cheque After Church Ministration

Comments sections are filled with statements like, “Must pastors and their children live in poverty?” and “Her parents worked hard as doctors, they can afford it.”

However, critics remain skeptical, questioning the broader ethics of church funding and the potential for blurred lines between personal wealth and ministry resources.

Some users have called for even greater transparency from religious organizations to avoid such speculation altogether.

Destiny Enenche’s public rebuttal goes beyond defending a single luxury item; it serves as a statement on her family’s identity as professionals and ministers.

It underscores a desire to shift the public perception of them from being solely dependent on the church to being self-sufficient individuals with diverse income streams.

While this may satisfy some, the incident ensures that the debate over money, morality, and ministry will continue to be a subject of intense public scrutiny.