I rebranded Christianity in Sri Lanka! Jerome Fernando’s Arrogance

I am heartbroken by Jerome Fernando’s recent declaration in the Daily Mirror online on 23 December 2025, titled “I rebranded Christianity in this country, and some don’t like it.” Reading his words stirred a deep sense of grief, not only because of the audacity in claiming such authority but also because of the subtle message it sends to countless believers who trust in the timeless Gospel of Jesus Christ. The language used implies personal ownership over a faith that is centuries old, rooted in divine truth, and guided by Scripture. Christianity is not a marketing campaign or a brand to be repositioned according to personal vision or contemporary trends. It is a living faith centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, transcending any individual. My concern lies in the confusion such statements can create among both new believers and those seeking spiritual clarity in Sri Lanka and beyond.

Christianity is Not a Personal Brand

The first concern with Jerome Fernando’s claim is the fundamental misunderstanding of Christianity’s nature. Christianity is a faith built upon the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, preserved through Scripture and the witness of generations. It is not a product to be rebranded, repackaged, or sold to appeal to contemporary culture. Branding implies ownership and control, suggesting that an individual can determine its identity or redefine its essence. No single person, regardless of spiritual encounter or charisma, can legitimately claim to alter the core of a faith that has been nurtured and safeguarded for over two millennia. While personal experiences of God are valuable and transformative, they do not grant authority to rewrite the Gospel or its expression in the Church. Presenting Christianity as something one “rebrands” risks reducing divine truth to mere personal innovation, undermining the spiritual depth and historical continuity of the faith.

The Danger of Centering the Self

Jerome Fernando’s statement emphasizes the “I” above the message of Christ, creating a self-centered narrative. Christianity, by its very nature, calls believers to look beyond themselves and focus on the glory of God and the redemptive work of Jesus. Any claim that elevates personal agency to the point of redefining faith is inherently problematic. It shifts attention from the transformative power of the Gospel to the personality and achievements of one individual. This focus on the self can lead to pride, misunderstanding, and division within the body of believers. In a faith tradition that encourages humility, service, and the bearing of one another’s burdens, framing oneself as the agent of transformation or rebranding can distort the purpose of ministry. Such claims risk creating confusion, idolizing the person rather than pointing hearts to Christ, and potentially opening the door to doctrinal error.

Confusing Reform with Reinvention

Throughout history, church leaders and reformers have sought to clarify doctrine, correct abuses, and call the faithful back to biblical truth. These efforts were grounded in fidelity to Scripture, not in self-aggrandizement. Jerome Fernando’s claim of “rebranding Christianity” resembles reinvention rather than reformation. Reform is rooted in faithfulness to what God has already established, while reinvention implies modification to suit personal vision or societal trends. By presenting his ministry as a rebranding of the entire Christian faith, Fernando blurs the line between personal calling and collective responsibility to Scripture. This approach risks creating theological confusion, particularly among those who are new to the faith or unfamiliar with the historical and doctrinal foundations of Christianity. It also underestimates the wisdom and discernment required to guide a faith community responsibly without altering its essence.

The Risk of Arrogance and Division

Lastly, claiming to rebrand Christianity invites perceptions of arrogance and self-exaltation. Even if the intention is to contextualize or modernize the message of Christ, the phrasing implies superiority over centuries of tradition, saints, and scholars. Christianity is meant to unify through the shared belief in Christ, yet Fernando’s words can inadvertently create division, pitting personal ministry against historical and established expressions of faith. While innovation in ministry methods is often necessary, it must never supplant the Gospel’s unchanging truths. Statements suggesting personal ownership of faith also risk alienating other believers, fostering unnecessary controversy, and drawing attention away from Christ to the individual making the claim. The spiritual responsibility of guiding thousands demands humility, accountability, and reverence for the faith, qualities that are undermined when one asserts dominion over the faith itself.

Media Sensationalism and Clickbait

Another important aspect of Jerome Fernando’s claim is how it was presented by the Daily Mirror, using the headline “I rebranded Christianity in this country, and some don’t like it: Jerome Fernando” to draw maximum attention. This statement is framed as provocative, almost as if controversy defines the story rather than the content of his ministry or experiences. Such headlines serve the purpose of clickbait, appealing to curiosity and shock value instead of offering measured, thoughtful reporting. By emphasizing the phrase “rebranded Christianity,” the newspaper amplifies the sensational aspect of Fernando’s words, potentially misleading readers about the nature of his ministry. While the article itself provides context about his personal journey, miracles, and challenges, the headline oversimplifies the story into controversy and ego. This approach contributes to misunderstanding, polarizes audiences, and shifts focus from genuine spiritual discussion to media spectacle, turning a nuanced religious narrative into a tool for online engagement metrics.

Wrap Up

In short, the heart of Christianity cannot be rebranded by any one person, regardless of personal calling, charisma, or spiritual experiences. Faith is a divine gift, nurtured across centuries, and it centers entirely on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, not on individual innovation or leadership. Claims of rebranding place the self at the center and risk distorting the Gospel, confusing believers, and undermining centuries of theological integrity. While personal ministry can inspire and guide, it must always point people to Christ rather than elevate its messenger. Christianity is bigger than any individual, and true leadership within the faith involves humility, obedience to Scripture, and service to others. The love, grace, and truth of God are not subject to marketing, trends, or personal redefinition—they are eternal, unchanging, and far beyond human ownership. After all, Faith is bigger than any individual.

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