By Micah Jonah
February 1, 2026
Lagos based Pastor and relationship Coach, Kingsley Okonkwo, has defended a Bible inspired tattoo on his arm, saying it served as a powerful tool for evangelism, helped spread the gospel to millions within 24 hours.
Okonkwo, who is the lead Pastor of David Christian Centre, revealed the tattoo in a video shared on his official Instagram page on Saturday to mark his 50th birthday. The tattoo bears the inscription of John 3:16 written in Roman numerals as III: XVI, a scripture widely regarded as central to the Christian faith.
The video opened with a voice over reciting the Bible verse before showing the tattoo, quickly drawing widespread attention and sparking debate across social media platforms.
Reacting to the controversy in a Facebook post on Sunday, the Pastor said critics focused so much on judging the tattoo – that they missed the larger picture of the gospel message reaching a massive audience.
He wrote that while some Christians were busy condemning the act, they failed to notice that John 3:16 had been preached to millions within a day through blogs and online discussions generated by the video. He added that he would address the issue in detail later, urging followers to attend his praise party and thanksgiving service, which he described as a time for food, fun and worship.
The tattoo sparked mixed reactions online. Some critics questioned the appropriateness of a pastor having a tattoo, citing biblical passages against marking the body. Others argued that religious leaders should lead by example and avoid actions that could confuse believers.
However, many supporters praised the move as creative and impactful. Several followers described it as a bold expression of faith and a modern approach to sharing the gospel, while others applauded the pastor for starting conversations about Christ in unconventional spaces.
Okonkwo, known for his contemporary and youth friendly approach to ministry, continued to share photos from his birthday celebrations, describing the milestone as the big five zero.
Addressing the growing debate, he urged critics and supporters alike to remain calm, noting that a more detailed discussion on tattoos would come after the weekend celebrations.
The Pastor framed the tattoo not as an act of rebellion but as an intentional, unconventional method of evangelism, turning controversy into a platform for spreading the Christian message and sparking wider conversations about faith in modern times.
