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DENIED: Pastor Deon Jacobs says he's done nothing wrong DENIED: Pastor Deon Jacobs says he's done nothing wrong
A Retreat man says he wants to expose his former pastor who he accuses of extorting his congregants.
Damian van Wyk, 23, says he had been a member of Breakthrough Ministries in 7th Avenue, Retreat, for three years and was part of the church ministry, but now wants to break his silence about the “unholy happenings” at the church.
He claims the pastor blackmails congregants by threatening to expose the skeletons in their cupboards, and demands “20 to 30 percent” of their monthly income as “tithes”.
“I want to make people aware of Pastor Deon Jacobs for what he is doing to congregants,” says Damian.
“I know he is going to curse me and come after me and my child, but I feel the truth must come out. He uses scripture but twists it to serve his purpose. When people leave the church, we are told to pray against them (curse them).
“The confessions you had with him will be shared with the entire congregation.”
Damian says he was “rebuked and cursed” after he found love outside the church.
LEFT: Damian van Wyk is former member
“Relationships have to be approved by Pastor Jacobs. One is not allowed to socialise with anyone not affiliated to the church, he isolated us and threatened to curse us,” he says.
“When I left the church after meeting my wife, my mother and sister were picked on from the altar. He told my mother to disown and throw me out of the house.
“He told the congregation of another member’s alleged affair after the man questioned him about socialising with outsiders.
“There’s an overemphasis on the tithe, it’s suppose to be 10%, but he says 20 or 30. I earned R4 000 at the time and had to give R1 000 to the church.
“He would ask why you are here if you cannot support the body of Christ. We were told to only minister to the rich.”
Another man who left the church after five years, Wesley Lodewyk, 28, says he paid R3 000 a month to Jacobs.
“One has to give 10% tithes and 10% offerings. I earned R15 000 at the time and we had to give over R3 000 a month.
CHURCH: Breakthrough Ministries in Retreat
“If I couldn’t pay, I would get a phone call. It was like an interrogation. My wife even had to cash in her savings policy to give to the church.”
Another former member, Dalziel Thuynsma, 22, says he was unemployed but Jacobs still wanted his tithe.
“Whether you were unemployed or not, you had to contribute to the growth of the church. I gave about R30-R50,” Dalziel says.
When the Daily Voice contacted Pastor Jacobs for comment, he denied the claims and said his church is often slandered by former members.
“They find fault when they leave. I have never told people not to socialise with people from outside. I have however advised, on the basis of good morals and principles, not to mix with people who slander, but it’s entirely up to them,” Pastor Jacobs said.
Regarding the tithes, he said: “Any pastor takes tithes or offerings, like the word of God says.”
A Retreat man says he wants to expose his former pastor who he accuses of extorting his congregants.