Ifedayo Olarinde, better known as Daddy Freeze’ is no longer just an On-Air Personality.
The religious activist has taken things to a new level by unveiling the official logo for his online ministry — ‘Free Nation In Christ Online Church.’
Freeze’s online church
The interview begins with something most people are wondering - 'will there be a physical church?' To which, Freeze replies by explaining his understanding of the word- church.
“The word, church, has been misrepresented by Nigerian pastors and pastors in general. The word, church, is a gathering of the brethren so anywhere the brethren, who are believers, gather is the church.
“We gather online, on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, on the radio. That gathering is a church,” he says about his ministry.
“But you see the traditional idea of a church as a building is what we are here to do away with,” he adds.
Moving on to the issue of offerings and tithes, Freeze refers to the questions he has received since he shared his official logo.
In his words, "A lot of people are sending me messages - 'Daddy Freeze I hope you are not going to turn out like one of them. I hope you won't start collecting tithes.'"
To these people, the OAP says, “that is not the essence of a church." We don't collect tithe, we don't collect offerings.”
However, he says he is not against gifts.
“The only thing that is allowed as far as I am concerned is gifts. If you want to give I can't stop as long as it is not a ridiculous gift like a private jet or a Rolex," Freeze says.
He explains his stance on gifts by making reference to the Bible.
"Even during the time of Jesus, there were women, who supported Jesus but this support was like food and shelter not buying him a camel or donkey," he states.
Freeze goes on to encourage people to give to Jesus - the widow, less privileged as seen in Mathew 25: 35 -40.
In his words, “We are not about receiving. I am about the tentmaker’s challenge. I am a tentmaker, I work from 9 to 5. I am working because I don't want to depend on my congregation. I use my own money to do charity."
He concludes by insisting that his church is different.
Tell “people not be afraid, it is not your regular church. We don't need your tithe, paying tithe is sinful, foolish, it is a curse, unproductive and everything the Bible says it is but people don't like to read. So, why would I collect tithe when I know that I am leading you to sin?"
“What we do is pray together, fast together, I teach the true word of God, as it was intended for Christians, not the hypocritical messages we have today, the pure, unadulterated word of God, “ he states.
How Freeze’s church started
The origin of OAP’s religious movement can be traced to 2016 after he started to make a name for himself with his opinions on Christianity.
He would take regular shots at popular men of God like Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye, criticising their prosperity teachings and doctrines.
In 2017, Freeze found a way for people to put their money to good use, rather than giving it to their pastors. He began the revolutionary ‘Tithe Against Poverty’ challenge, which was supported by celebrities like Davido.
By the end of last year, he started delivering his sermons on masturbation, smoking and even offered tips on how to identify fake pastors.
No one knows what the future holds for Freeze’s online church, but one is clear - the OAP is on a mission to change Christianity as we know it.