A video of a Ugandan preacher, identified as Prophet N Vian of The Vian Ministries, being carried around a church on a large boat shaped carton box marked “JESUS" and "BOAT”, has gone viral.
In the footage, several male members of the congregation are seen lifting the preacher and the structure as he preached and sang to the seated crowd.
In the clip, Prophet N Vian wears a light-grey suit and holds a microphone and an open Bible. The whitish, box-like platform was described by some social-media users as a “Jesus boat,” while others said it looked like a coffin because of its shape.
While he was carried through the church aisles, the preacher used the biblical story of Jesus walking on water to teach about spreading the gospel.
The Bible records that Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee during a storm and told his frightened disciples, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
The video spread quickly on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, including pages such as Kenya Gossip Club.
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Reactions have since divided: some people saw it as a creative way to illustrate a Bible message, while others criticised it as unnecessary drama or a publicity stunt.
The incident comes amid wider concern about unusual displays by some African preachers. In South Africa, Pastor Lesego Daniel of Rabboni Centre Ministries reportedly told members to drink petrol, which he said had been turned into pineapple juice, and later used a live snake during communion.
Another South African pastor, Penuel Mnguni, was reported to have asked followers to eat snakes, stones, and other items, claiming that God had given him power to change them.
In Ghana, Bishop Daniel Obinim was criticised after videos appeared to show him stepping on a woman’s stomach and flogging two young people during church services.
In Kenya, an investigation alleged that televangelist Victor Kanyari used a chemical to make water look red, then presented it as blood coming from worshippers’ feet as a sign of healing.
Such cases continue to fuel criticism that some religious leaders turn church services into spectacles.
Supporters of Prophet N Vian may see the “Jesus boat” as a visual sermon. Critics, however, argue that such displays can distract from the gospel message and encourage showmanship rather than sincere worship.