Pastor Christopher Gayoba of “River of Life Ministries” was making round on social media following after his viral video where he destroyed by trampling with his foot against the statue of Sto. Niño in Brgy. Tabao Bagumbayan, Valladolid, Negors Occidental.

Gayoba was bombarded by the netizens in social media and radio broadcasters in local radio station in the city of Bacolod.

Following after his first video, Gayoba appeared again on his second video where he made public apology specially to the Catholic and Aglipayan followers. His organization under the umbrella of the “River of Life Ministries” also conformed his public apology by issuing official statement signed by immediate pastor Emilio Z. Henarez.

The video of Gayoba in YouTube garnered mixed reaction from the netizens. Catholic faith believers lambasted him especially in the world of social media stoning Gayoba with the words of criticism. But there are also comments from the non-Catholic believers who understand him and expressed their sympathy and support to the pastor, yet these are not read during radio broadcast for fair treatment.

However, Apostolic pastor of a small group in Bacolod City, Pastor Vince criticized Gayoba for his wrongdoing as seen in the video how he destroyed the image and made the video available to the public viewing in social media.

According to Pastor Vince his action show incompetence and unfit to the pastoral calling to do the work in the ministry. Knowing that being a pastor, the said office is biblically considered the highest calling that one must possess virtue beyond reproof. Uploading the video for public viewing is a big mistake.

Pastor Vince who also hold the same office of pastoral calling also said, that in fairness to Gayoba, Pastor Vince explained why he destroyed the graven image of the Sto. Niño and that is because there is a Biblical basis in doing it, Gayoba only failed to explain the reason before he destroys the image.

Pastor Vince cited some Biblical reference as maybe the basis of Gayoba of his action. According to pastor Vince, Gayoba destroyed the image of the Sto. Niño but not the faith of the Catholic believers. Pastor Vince believed that Gayoba only proved it before the eyes of the people especially to the members of his congregation that the image is not a real god but only a man maid creature with no life and no power to defend himself against the foot of Gayoba. He has proven his faith he was right by turning the image into pieces. The only mistake was that, he took video and upload it to the public viewing prompting the Catholic community reacting against it because they believed the image is god and yet not, or maybe a representation of god according to their religious observance. But Gayoba was just doing the same thing most people of God in the Bible were doing.

Pastor Vince said, God instructed Moses to utterly destroy all form of pagan gods including the images and altars in the land they’re about to possess as the God of Israel promised them. (Bible Reference: Numbers 33:50-52 & Deuteronomy 12:1-3). Aside from commanding to destroy all forms of pagan gods, Moses was also instructed not to make idols or graven images and worship them. (Bible Reference: Leviticus 26:1), explained Pastor Vince.

Pastor Vince also noted that he read from the social media about the negative comments of the netizens as well as he also heard from radio comments regarding Pastor Gayoba’s dishonorable conduct but Pastor Vince said, the comments from the social media as well as radio broadcast was only based on their traditional knowledge but not based on the Bible. Some said, “if Gayoba don’t like the image, he should give it to others who need it.” These comments are only based on their poor Biblical understanding. They suggested this to give to other because that is the only thing they know. Yet, Gayoba knows far beyond the level of their knowledge. Surely he learns from the Bible that images are against God and must be destroyed into pieces like he did, noted Pastor Vince.

However, Pastor Vince criticized Gayoba and the leadership of “River of Life Ministries.” According to pastor Vince, Gayoba’s action brought awareness and as an eye opening to everybody by what he did and it was a good opportunity to prove his faith and to give proper education to the ignorant Christians. His public apology exhibits his weakness and a sign that he admitted he was wrong and mistaken. That action lost him the battle and indicate that the other side was right. He failed to witness about his faith. That was a weak decision, Pastor Vince said.

Gayoba’s organization must give him support and always ready to defend him as they know Gayoba’s action was their accountability no matter what, added Pastor Vince.

Pastor Vince cited Manny Paquiao’s case of the same situation of Gayoba, but Paquiao did not recant his statement and stand firm on it.

Before the end of my interview with Pastor Vince, he said, Gayoba has a freedom of religion even if he destroyed the image of the Sto. Niño based on his right under the freedom of religion but he should have to be accountable and keep the video private. That is only for him to prove to his members that the image he destroyed was nothing at all and helpless.

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