Celebrity priests

“IT DOESN'T matter how many people come to services,” says Temitope Joshua, pastor of Nigeria's Synagogue Church of All Nations. “It's about how many people are being saved.” But it is the sheer size of his flock in Lagos that marks out Mr Joshua, better known as Prophet T B Joshua, who runs one of Africa's mega-churches; 15,000 people attend his services every Sunday. A lot more watch his channel, Emmanuel TV.

The reverend is not alone. Hundreds of years after the first bible-punching missionaries came to Africa to persuade those who practised local religions to turn to a Christian God, conversion has become more of a home-grown affair. Charismatic African pastors, mimicking American evangelists, have gained fame for their forceful preaching, packing their pews and becoming local stars.