In a move that’s ignited a firestorm of debate over faith, feminism, and fashion, Evangelist Isaac Josiah, lead pastor of Reclaimers Ministry, has turned Sunday service into an impromptu wardrobe intervention. During a September 14 sermon, the fiery cleric distributed bras, wrappers, pyjamas, and even belts to congregants he accused of “indecent dressing,” vowing to enforce modesty or show the door to any who resist.
The viral Facebook video, posted on the church’s official page and now amassing over 500,000 views, captures Josiah in full throttle. Holding up a handful of undergarments like a modern-day prophet with props, he instructed ushers—newly ordained as “disciplinarians”—to scan the pews for visible nipples, exposed cleavage, or sagging trousers. “From today, any girl who enters this church and we see her nipple, we will give her a bra and say, ‘We have discovered you can’t afford one, so on behalf of the church, we give you this,’” Josiah declared, his voice booming over the hushed crowd. He didn’t stop at women: Belts were promised for men letting their boxers peek out, with the pastor lamenting, “Many brothers are distracted when they come to church. What they see are not angels but breasts and buttocks.”
Josiah, a self-styled reformer in Benin City’s bustling evangelical scene, framed the giveaway as a divine duty to “raise disciplined people” and shield worship from worldly temptations. He appointed three male ushers—Brothers Eric, Osase, and Chimere—as the enforcement squad, tasking them with on-the-spot fittings. “If you give any sister a bra and she refuses, call her and ask, ‘How much is a tricycle to your house?’” he quipped, implying a swift exit for the unrepentant. Nursing mothers weren’t spared; if a handkerchief couldn’t cover cleavage, a wrapper was mandatory. “If they want to use a handkerchief, say no it can’t cover it and tell them we have a wrapper for them,” he added.
The stunt, meant to combat what Josiah calls a rising tide of “provocative dressing” distracting the faithful, has instead thrust Reclaimers Ministry into the crosshairs of Nigeria’s culture wars. Social media exploded with memes, clapbacks, and condemnations. Critics, including women’s rights advocates, slammed it as public shaming and body policing. “This isn’t ministry; it’s micromanaging women’s bodies under the guise of holiness,” tweeted activist @FeministNaija, whose post garnered 10,000 retweets. Others decried the male ushers’ role in distributing intimate apparel, calling it a “creepy power trip” that objectifies rather than empowers.
Supporters, however, hailed Josiah as a bold shepherd. “Finally, a pastor calling out the real distractions in church! Modesty is biblical, not optional,” posted church elder @EdoFaithful, echoing a sentiment shared by conservative voices who argue such measures prevent “spiritual stumbling.” The debate taps into broader tensions in Nigerian Christianity, where dress codes have long been flashpoints—from bans on trousers for women to outright ejections for mini-skirts—amid a youth culture embracing global trends like fast fashion and body positivity.
Josiah, undeterred, doubled down in the video: “If you are looking for a church where you can dress anyhow, not Reclaimers. You can go anywhere. Go and do that… If we can’t change you in this church, look for another church.” He even appealed for donations: “If God blesses you [ushers], we need the bras in different sizes.”
As the clip ricochets across platforms, Reclaimers Ministry’s modest following of about 2,000 has swelled with curious newcomers—and detractors plotting visits in protest attire. Women’s groups like the Nigerian Feminist Forum have called for dialogue on consent and shame-free spirituality, while Josiah’s team prepares for next Sunday’s “modesty check.”
In an era where churches grapple with relevance amid Gen Z’s irreverence, this Benin brouhaha raises a cheeky question: Is handing out lingerie the new communion? Only the ushers—and perhaps a few reluctant recipients—know for sure.
Reclaimers Ministry’s Facebook page has not responded to requests for comment. Follow the story on X with #PastorBraGate.