In a deeply emotional and sobering address at the Global Prayer Works Summit Special Breakfast Meeting held at the Prayer Cathedral in Accra on July 19, 2025, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams shared a personal and painful story of betrayal from a former junior pastor he once mentored.
The globally respected cleric, known for his role in shaping Ghana’s charismatic movement and his mentorship of countless spiritual leaders, revealed how a young pastor he helped elevate into international ministry turned around to deceive and betray him.
A Generous Beginning Met with Deception
According to Duncan-Williams, he opened significant doors for the junior pastor, facilitating high-level international preaching engagements in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and others. These opportunities led to generous honorariums, with one trip alone earning the junior pastor $100,000.
However, the pastor returned to Ghana and presented only $10,000, claiming that was all he received.
“I opened some doors for him, and he went on to preach in Malaysia and other places… They gave him good money, $100,000. Then he brought me $10,000 and said that was all they gave him,” the Archbishop recalled. “I thanked him and blessed him, but when I was praying, the oil wasn’t flowing. The Holy Ghost was blocking the oil.”
The truth came to light weeks later when Duncan-Williams contacted one of the host pastors abroad, confirming that the junior pastor had indeed received the full $100,000.
A Second Chance After Scandal
Despite the betrayal, Duncan-Williams said he still tried to help the pastor recover after he was involved in a moral scandal in Abidjan, reportedly involving another man’s wife. The Archbishop brought him back to Ghana in an effort to “save his life” and even gave him another chance by appointing him to lead a church.
But once again, the junior pastor broke away, allegedly starting his own church in Tema, poaching members from Action Chapel and securing support from influential donors.
“People will betray you, exploit you, and take advantage of you,” Duncan-Williams reflected. “I have seen sons I took to places, introduced to people, and next thing, they are calling them and turning against me.”
A Final Word After Death
Years later, when the pastor passed away, Duncan-Williams was informed that the deceased’s family wished to visit him. His response was firm and chilling:
“Tell them that if they themselves don’t want to die, they shouldn’t come here; they should go home.”
He emphasized that his decision wasn’t driven by bitterness or unforgiveness, but by a spiritual directive.
“This journey is long. It’s not about revenge. But there are spiritual boundaries and protocols people must not cross.”
A Lesson in Leadership and Loyalty
The Archbishop’s story is a reminder of the complex dynamics between leaders and mentees in ministry and beyond. Betrayal is never easy, especially when it comes from someone nurtured, supported, and elevated by your own hand.
In sharing this story, Duncan-Williams is not only cautioning spiritual leaders to be discerning but also reinforcing the truth that in leadership, trust must be earned—and protected.
