Christian pastor ignites controversy on social media by asking a man to surrender his land for sale by God’s order

Jorge Pompa, a well-known evangelical pastor from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, has sparked controversy after a viral video in which he claims to have received a divine message directing a parishioner to hand over his land to the church.

The video shows Pompa asking a believer to hand over the papers for a piece of land valued at more than three million lempiras, arguing that “God has ordered” him to do so. He says, “I want your papers and I want the money now.” The situation has sparked a torrent of reactions on social media, with criticism and support divided over the legitimacy of this request.

We sought the opinion of religious ethics specialists, who affirm that this type of practice could constitute an abuse of power. According to theologian Juan Carlos Soto, “It is essential that spiritual leaders maintain integrity and humility when guiding their parishioners, and not use God’s name for material gain.”

On the street, the community’s reaction has also been polarized. “It’s disrespectful to humble people,” commented a neighbor. On the other hand, some faithful defend the pastor, asserting that he acts in obedience to divine will.

These types of situations highlight the tensions between religion and the actions of certain leaders within the evangelical faith in Honduras.

To what extent should religious leaders intervene in the financial decisions of their parishioners?