Pastor Jerry Eze apologises to worshippers denied entry at Old Trafford prayer conference

Worshippers at the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference held at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Saturday. Photo: X / @AgborMoses34

Pastor Jerry Eze has apologised to worshippers who were turned away from the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference held at Manchester United’s 74,000-capacity Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, United Kingdom.

The conference, organised by Eze’s Streams of Joy International, attracted worshippers from across Britain and other parts of the world. Although admission was free, attendees were encouraged to register ahead of the event as places were limited, with demand reportedly exceeding availability.

In a video message addressing the development on Monday, Eze apologised to those who travelled long distances for the gathering but could not gain entry, saying some came from as far as Australia, North Macedonia and Sweden.

“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.

He said he felt particularly bad after learning that thousands were still asked to leave despite travelling from different parts of the world for the prayer meeting.

“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, however, said the situation was beyond his control and that of Streams of Joy, while acknowledging the disappointment expressed by affected attendees 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 added that the organisers had taken note of the situation and promised that it would not be repeated.

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“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 repeatedly apologised to those who could not enter the stadium, saying he had been troubled since he heard about the number of people who were turned 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 assured the worshippers that lessons would be learnt from the incident ahead of next year’s gathering.

“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.

He added, “I assure you next year, next year, you will look back and say they really took note of it.”

The NSPPD UK Prayer Conference last Saturday featured Eze alongside gospel ministers including Sunmisola Agbebi, Mercy Chinwo, Dunsin Oyekan and Kaestrings.

Eze concluded his apology by saying, “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.”