Jerry Eze apologises after thousands of worshippers were denied entry to the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference at Old Trafford in Manchester
Pastor Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International and the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations, has apologised to thousands of worshippers who were unable to enter the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference at Old Trafford on Saturday, September 26.
The free prayer gathering, organised by Streams of Joy International at Manchester United’s stadium, attracted worshippers from Britain and several other countries, with demand reportedly exceeding the available capacity.
Although attendees were encouraged to register before the event, many people who travelled to Manchester were reportedly turned away when the stadium reached capacity.
In a video message on Monday, Eze expressed regret to those who had travelled long distances only to be denied entry.
“Before I continue, I want to sincerely, from the depth of my heart, apologise. Apologise to the tens of thousands of people who were turned back,” Eze said.
He said he was particularly troubled after learning that worshippers had travelled from countries including Australia, North Macedonia and Sweden to attend the conference.
“Some people travelled very far from Australia, from North Macedonia, from Sweden, from different parts of the world to come,” he said.
Eze acknowledged the frustration expressed by affected worshippers on social media and said he understood the disappointment caused by the situation.
“People of God, I want to say I am sorry,” he said, adding that the circumstances were beyond his personal control and that of the Streams of Joy team.
The pastor also promised that organisers would review what happened and take steps to prevent a repeat at future gatherings.
“It will not happen again. I see your pain as you post about it on social media and you talk about it wherever you go. I want to say I am sorry. Please forgive us,” Eze said.
He repeatedly expressed regret during the message, saying he had been deeply affected by reports of the number of people who were turned away.
The conference featured Eze alongside gospel ministers including Sunmisola Agbebi, Mercy Chinwo, Dunsin Oyekan and Kaestrings.
The gathering was held at Old Trafford, which has a listed capacity of more than 74,000 for football matches, although actual event capacity can vary depending on the configuration and safety arrangements.
Eze said the experience would provide important lessons for the organisers ahead of next year’s gathering.
“If it was something we knew that was going to happen and all of that, we would have done everything possible. Please forgive us. We do not take it for granted,” he said.
He added: “I assure you next year, next year, you will look back and say they really took note of it.”
The apology comes after images and accounts from worshippers who remained outside the stadium circulated on social media, highlighting the scale of the attendance and the disappointment among people who had expected to participate in the prayer meeting.
Eze ended his message with another apology to those affected.
“I am sorry again and again. Please, once again, I am sorry about how people, tens of thousands, I mean, were sent back,” he said.
For the organisers, the episode has turned an otherwise significant international prayer gathering into a powerful lesson in managing demand, capacity and expectations when a major free event attracts worshippers from across the world.
