Bishop David Oyedepo stands as one of Africa’s most influential and affluent religious leaders. Born on September 27, 1954, he is a Nigerian preacher and the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, widely recognized as Winners’ Chapel International. He also serves as the Presiding Bishop of Faith Tabernacle, located in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Renowned globally for his leadership within the Christian community, Oyedepo’s impact extends far beyond the pulpit. His life and ministry have profoundly influenced millions through his sermons, entrepreneurial ventures, philanthropic efforts, and contributions to education.
Bishop Oyedepo’s ministry, Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners’ Chapel, has evolved into a global movement with a vast following. His influence extends beyond the church, leaving a lasting legacy through various ventures, including publications and academics.
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Bishop David Oyedepo Early Life and Call to Ministry
Bishop David Oyedepo wears many hats: architect, father, husband, proprietor, Christian author, preacher, and founder. He initially studied engineering at the former Kwara State Polytechnic and later worked with the Federal Ministry of Housing.
However, his passion for teaching and ministry eventually led him to pivot toward a career in religious leadership. He later earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Honolulu University. Raised in Osogbo by his grandmother, Oyedepo was introduced to the Christian faith early on, attending morning prayers with her, which laid the foundation for his spiritual journey.
His grandmother also instilled in him the importance of generosity, shaping his early values. Oyedepo experienced a spiritual rebirth in 1969. He studied architecture at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, and briefly worked with the Federal Ministry of Housing in Ilorin before transitioning fully into teaching.
Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners Chapel)
In May 1981, Bishop David Oyedepo received what he described as a divine mandate through an 18-hour vision. In this vision, God instructed him to liberate the world from the oppression of the devil by spreading the message of faith. This pivotal moment led to the founding of Living Faith Church Worldwide (LFCWW), originally known as Liberation Faith Hour Ministries, in the same year.
On September 17, 1983, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, ordained David Oyedepo and his wife, Florence Abiola Akano (now Faith Abiola Oyedepo), as pastors, officially commissioning their ministry. Five years later, Oyedepo was consecrated as a Bishop, marking the beginning of his significant role in the global Christian community.
Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel International, was originally established in Kaduna. However, in July 1989, the ministry expanded to Lagos, Nigeria’s former capital, following Bishop Oyedepo’s claim of receiving divine instructions to reach the people of Lagos.
In 1998, Oyedepo stated that God directed him to establish a new base for the ministry to accommodate its growing congregation. This led to the acquisition of an initial 530-acre (2.1 km²) property, now famously known as Canaanland. Located in Ota, Ogun State, Canaanland serves as the global headquarters of the church.
Canaanland is home to the iconic 50,000-seat Faith Tabernacle, often regarded as one of the largest church auditoriums in the world. Located in Ota, Ogun State, this expansive 5,000-acre (20 km²) estate serves as the headquarters of Living Faith Church Worldwide.
Within Canaanland, you’ll find the church’s youth chapel, the Kingdom Heritage Model School for elementary education, and Faith Academy, a full-boarding secondary school with over 1,500 students.
The estate also hosts Covenant University, a renowned institution with more than 7,000 students residing in state-of-the-art housing facilities. Additionally, Canaanland features well-equipped faculty buildings and modern staff accommodations, creating a self-sustaining community centered on education and spirituality.
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Bishop David Oyedepo As An Author
Bishop David Oyedepo is a highly regarded author in the realm of Christian literature. Through his publishing company, Dominion Publishing House (DPH), which was established in 1992, he has produced over 4 million copies of his works.
With more than 70 books to his name, Oyedepo’s writings cover a wide range of topics within Christian living, faith, leadership, and personal development. Some of his notable books include:
- The Real Dream Of Achievers
- Marriage On The Rock
- Miracle Babies: Testimonies of Miracle Pregnancies and Supernatural Childbirth
- Weapon of Spiritual Warfare
- Challenges of Life
- Amazing restorations
- The Advocate
- Embodiment of Christ
- Word Encounters: Testimonies of the Efficacy of the Word of God and Its Amazing Manifestations
- Restoration for the Backslider
- Success in Marriage
- Breaking Financial Hardship
- Success Systems
- The Winning Wisdom
- The Blood-triumph
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Bishop David Oyedepo Net Worth
Bishop David Oyedepo is currently the wealthiest pastor in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth exceeding US$200 million. His ministry owns four private jets and several properties, including buildings in London and the United States.
Apart from his role as a preacher, Oyedepo is an accomplished author and publisher, having written more than 70 books, in addition to numerous periodicals. He is the chairman and publisher of Dominion Publishing House (DPH), the publishing arm of his ministry, which has produced over 4 million copies of its books to date.
Through his vision, educational institutions like Covenant University, Faith Academy, and Kingdom Heritage Model Schools have been established, aiming to equip the youth for global impact.
Bishop David Oyedepo is known for his remarkable lifestyle, which includes a vast personal fleet of vehicles, many of which have been anonymously donated by church members. This generosity is a testament to the loyalty and commitment of the congregation.
Following major donation events, such as one in 2013 where 700 vehicles, including luxury models like Toyota, Mercedes Benz, and BMW, were given to the church, Bishop Oyedepo’s personal fleet has continually been replenished. In 2014, the church received a significant donation of SUVs, including some Toyota Land Cruiser Prado models, which became part of his personal collection.
In addition to his impressive car collection, Bishop Oyedepo also owns a private aircraft fleet, which includes a Bombardier Challenger Aircraft and two Gulfstream jets. Together with the church’s four private jets, the total value of his aviation assets is estimated at ₦25 billion.
