Jerusalem Church of Christ is found in Nairobi’s Kawangware’s 56 area.
The church by self-proclaimed prophetess Mary Akasta boasts of having over one million followers across the country.
The church hit headlines in 1988 after it emerged that Jesus Christ was spotted standing next to Akatsa during one of the services.
However, the claims were false as it emerged that the man who resembled Jesus was an Asian Missionary on a worldwide tour.
Akasta's church is different from other churches from how it conducts its business and how the worshipers behave.
At the Jerusalem church, worshipers have to follow the strict rules failure to which they are chased away.
Here are the toughest rules worshipers have to adhere to at Akatsa’s church.
1. Dressing
Worshipers at this church don’t just dress for the sake of doing it. They have a special way of dressing and their clothes are bought by Prophetess Akatsa.
Men, women, and children dress differently. For instance, women are not allowed to wear miniskirts, open shoes, or short sleeved dresses.
All women dress in long dresses that touches on their toes.
Men here are not allowed to wear tight or fitting trousers. They are encouraged to wear oversized shirts and trousers.
People who disobey these rules are chased away.
2. Latecomers
Jerusalem church does not tolerate worshipers who show up for the service late.
The reporting time for worshipers is 7 in the morning and whoever turns up after the stipulated time is chased away.
In some cases latecomers are slapped and flogged by prophetess Akatsa before being allowed inside the church.
“Even Jesus Christ was always on time and never tolerated late-comers,” Akatsa says.
Other punishment for latecomers is being banned from coming to church for two weeks or a month.
3. Extra-marital affairs
Jerusalem church does not entertain extra-marital affairs among married people.
Akasta says that people who engage in extramarital affairs should be condemned because they are evil.
Worshipers who engage in extramarital affairs are exposed publicly, beaten up and ex-communicated from the church.
In some cases the preacher forces them to carry each other on their backs as they do rounds along the Gatina and Kawangware’s market.
For instance if the man cheats, he will have to carry his wife on the back and walk through the Kawangware’s market, same to a woman cheats.
4. No boyfriends or girlfriends.
Young people at this church are not allowed to have a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Youths who disobey this rule are flogged and chased away from the church alongside their parents.
Akasta says that that young people are contracting a deadly disease like HIV/Aids because of being allowed to interact freely.
5. Absentees
Worshipers who absent themselves from the church for two consecutive worship days are deemed not to be members of the church.
Akatsa monitors her flock keenly and knows everyone by name including the children.
She says that people take church matters lightly making them making them sin.
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