Don’t chew gum in church, Ibiyeomie warns members

Founder and presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has stirred reactions online after cautioning worshippers against chewing gum, drinking water, and using phones during church services. In a video shared by X user #dammiedammie35 on Tuesday, the cleric, while addressing his congregation, emphasised the need for decorum and reverence in the house of God. He indicated, “Don’t chew gum when you’re in church, you’re not a goat.

Don’t drink water in church; if you want to drink water, go outside. Don’t use phone at all in church. This is not a Pentecostal church; only Pentecostal churches allow water inside church,” Pastor Ibiyeomie indicated. He further described such actions as indecent, noting that prominent pastors like Enoch Adeboye and David Oyedepo do not drink water on the altar.

“You won’t see Adeboye drink water on the alter you won’t see Oyedepo drink water on the altar. Those things are not decent”.

The remarks, delivered during a service, have generated mixed reactions, with some agreeing on the need for reverence while others questioned the practicality of the directives. One user, #Whyiize1, wrote: “Nawao. Na Secondady school Assembly? I can excuse the gum.