Apostolic Church In US Engulfed In Crisis Over Property Disputes As Suspected Criminals Burn Down Mission House
According to the source, over $1.5million was invested, including $1.1million for a church building and $400,000 for a five-bedroom mission house in Rosenberg, a Houston suburb.
The Apostolic Church in Houston, Texas in the United States has been plunged into deep divisions over the control of properties purchased with Nigerian church funds, SaharaReporters has learnt.
The crisis has led to accusations, power struggles, and suspected arson as one of the church’s mission houses went aflame and was burnt down on Monday.
A source familiar with the matter told SaharaReporters on Thursday that the conflict dates back to 2015 when the late Pastor Gabriel Olutola, then Chairman of the Lagos, Western and Northern Areas (LAWNA) and President of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, oversaw the purchase of two properties in Houston, Texas.
According to the source, over $1.5million was invested, including $1.1million for a church building and $400,000 for a five-bedroom mission house in Rosenberg, a Houston suburb.
Apostolic church
However, tensions erupted when Olutola appointed Pastor Samuel Akinlabi as custodian of the properties, a decision that angered older pastors in the U.S.
Despite opposition, Akinlabi maintained control, with Pastor Ezekiel Amusan occupying the mission house.
To secure his position, Akinlabi reportedly aligned himself with Olutola’s successor, the late Pastor Segun Awojide, facilitating the relocation of Awojide’s daughter and her husband to the U.S. In return, Awojide promoted Akinlabi to an apostle, further cementing his authority.
Following Awojide’s resignation due to illness, Pastor Gabriel Okpako Uyeh became the new LAWNA Chairman in 2024.
Apostolic church
The source said, “Akinlabi, a ‘smart’ young pastor ensured that the church leadership in Nigeria kept him as the custodian of the property especially the church building while he allowed one Pastor Ezekiel Amusan to occupy the 5 bedroom mission house.
“To consolidate his grip on the buildings, Akinlabi, after Olutola retired as the LAWNA Chairman, curried the favour of his successor, late Pastor Segun Awojide.
“Akinlabi ensured that Awojide’s daughter and her husband relocated to the United States as a payback for him to remain as the landlord of the 2 properties.
“The bigger building which serves as the national headquarters of the church in America became an issue that other pastors struggle to share with Akinlabi, a very junior pastor that Awojide promoted to an Apostle to spite others.
“After late Pastor Awojide, was forced to resign as the LAWNA CHAIRMAN due to an illness that made him incapacitated; the church elevated his vice, Pastor Gabriel Okpako Uyeh to become the substantive LAWNA Chairman.”
During a church convention in the US that June, he faced mounting complaints about Akinlabi’s control.
Uyeh, according to the source, ultimately ruled that the national church headquarters belonged to all TAC members and instructed Akinlabi to relocate his assembly elsewhere.
He also ordered the sale of the Rosenberg mission house, with proceeds allocated for renovations and church planting efforts.
Although Akinlabi eventually moved his congregation to a rented space, tensions remained high.
He linked a recent near-fatal road accident to alleged spiritual attacks from those opposing him.
“He further directed that Pastor Amusan should vacate the mission house at Rosenberg which should be sold.
“He ordered that the proceed should be used to renovate the national headquarters and fund church planting projects.
“Akinlabi reluctantly moved his assembly to a close by rented shop but the wars keep raging.
“He linked his recent near fatal road accident to evil works of some pastors that are fighting him over the assets,” the source added.
The conflict took a dramatic turn on Monday, March 10, 2025, when a midnight fire engulfed the mission house, completely destroying the now $700,000 property.
Authorities are investigating the blaze, but speculation is rife that it was an act of retaliation by disgruntled church members who felt excluded from the property control.
With suspicions of arson looming, concerns are growing that the church’s Southwest Houston headquarters could be the next target in this escalating crisis.
According to the source, “The incident which the security is still investigating is suspected to be the handiwork of the aggrieved pastors, elders and members who felt that they have completely lost out.
“They tend to conclude that if we don’t own the property, no one else should.
“It may not be unlikely that their next target for destruction would be the church headquarters at the heart of Southwest Houston.”
