I feel insulted by other ministers’ comments on my tattoo – Pastor Kingsley

Founder of David Christian Centre, Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo, has responded to backlash over his recent Bible-inspired tattoo, expressing feelings of insult over comments from some ministers.

The cleric had sparked controversy with a video showing him getting a tattoo of John 3:16 in Roman numerals, “III: XVI,” on his body.

Okonkwo claimed that only a few ministers understood his decision, while others reacted out of “religious bias.”

He criticised pastors who questioned his actions, arguing that spiritual authority and understanding vary among ministers, and not everyone is qualified to criticise others.

“On my tattoo issue, only one or two ministers were grounded and sound enough to understand it. Most of them are just religious people,” he said.

“They said, ‘Tattoo is not a sin, but is it expedient? Why did you post it? Why must you do it?’ That is stupid talk, and I am insulted,” he added.

“There is ranking in the spirit. My junior cannot talk when I am talking. There are people you cannot correct. The scope of what they are handling, you cannot grasp it,” he said.

The pastor cited other Christian leaders with tattoos, including Joyce Meyer and Max Lucado, to justify his action.

“Am I higher than Joyce Meyer? She had a tattoo at eight years old. Am I higher than Max Lucado? He got his tattoo at 70,” he noted.

He explained that he shared the tattoo publicly due to his personal calling and constituency.

Okonkwo emphasised that individual styles and choices shouldn’t be judged, stressing that people should be free to make their own decisions without affecting others’ faith. 

“I posted it because my own position, my own calling, my own constituency requires that. Even Peter said he could not understand Paul. In Christianity, there are different flavours. It is not only your style that matters. You don’t want to wear shoes—so what? I want to wear shoes. How does that affect anybody’s faith?” he said.

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