Jerry Eze Apologises After Thousands Denied Entry at Old Trafford Prayer Conference
Pastor Jerry Eze has issued a public apology to the thousands of worshippers who were unable to enter the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference, which took place at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, United Kingdom.
The event was arranged by Eze's Streams of Joy International and drew attendees from the UK as well as a number of other nations. Entry was free of charge, but those wishing to attend had to register beforehand because the venue could only hold a limited number of people.
Reports indicated that the number of people who showed up was greater than the space available, and as a result thousands were left outside the stadium.
In a video message released on Monday, Eze offered his regrets to those who had made long journeys, among them worshippers from Australia, North Macedonia and Sweden, only to be refused entry.
"Before I continue, I want to sincerely, from the depth of my heart, apologise. Apologise to the tens of thousands of people who were turned back," Eze said.
The pastor noted that he was especially troubled upon discovering that people had come from various corners of the world for the programme.
"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 maintained that the circumstances were outside his control and that of Streams of Joy International, and he acknowledged the responses of 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 gave an assurance to those affected that the organisers had taken note of what happened and would act to stop it from happening again.
"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 apologised repeatedly to those who could not get into the stadium, saying he had been disturbed since learning how many worshippers had been sent 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.
Eze also stated that lessons would be drawn from the incident in preparation for next year's conference.
"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 NSPPD UK Prayer Conference was held last Saturday and featured Eze alongside gospel ministers Sunmisola Agbebi, Mercy Chinwo, Dunsin Oyekan and Kaestrings.
Eze closed his message with a further apology to those who were unable to gain entry into 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.
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