{
  "id": 16511648,
  "title": "Go Church Belgium documentary: What viewers were not told about two former Lighthouse bishops",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/go-church-belgium-documentary-what-viewers-were-not-told-about-two",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T18:52:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/go-church-belgium-documentary-what-viewers-were-not-told-about-two-former-lighthouse-bishops/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two former Lighthouse bishops have criticized Dag Heward-Mills, the founder of Go Church Belgium. Their statements provide important context surrounding allegations against Heward-Mills. Emmanuel Oko Mensah and Lawrence Odonkor both held senior positions in the church before now speaking out against its leadership.\n\nOko Mensah's testimony in the documentary reveals a stark contrast from his public gratitude towards Heward-Mills at the time of his consecration. When asked about being \"brainwashed,\" Oko Mensah emphatically replies \"Absolutely. One hundred percent.\" He also claims the church leadership, including Heward-Mills, merged into a single entity. However, this same man publicly thanked Heward-Mills for being a patient father and giving him chances, describing him as \"so good to me.\" The documentary raises questions about the reasons behind this shift in perspective.\n\nLawrence Odonkor alleges that problems within Lighthouse originated from the top leadership. Odonkor, who faces a 2023 Madagascar conviction of breach of trust related to church funds and property, describes Heward-Mills as someone who uses his intelligence to commit evil acts for fame and money. Odonkor's legal history includes an acquittal in a separate Ghanaian case, as well as a disputed 2023 Madagascar prison sentence and damages judgment. These contrasting views and legal records offer crucial background information for viewers to consider when evaluating the allegations against Heward-Mills.",
  "summary": "The Belgian documentary investigating Go Church has raised serious allegations concerning Bishop Dag Heward-Mills and Lighthouse Chapel International. Those claims deserve examination. So does the background of the people making them. Emmanuel Oko Mensah and Lawrence Odonkor once held senior positions in Lighthouse. Both now criticise its leadership. Here are three pieces of context viewers…",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Lighthouse bishops criticize Go Church Belgium founder Dag Heward-Mills.",
    "Emmanuel Oko Mensah claims brainwashing and merged church leadership under Heward-Mills.",
    "Lawrence Odonkor alleges misuse of funds and fame-driven evil acts by Heward-Mills."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}