Introduction
Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo is a Nigerian pastor, author, educator and philanthropist (born 27 September 1954, Oshobo, Nigeria); He’s the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide also known as the Winners Chapel International.
David Oyedepo is the presiding Bishop of the Faith Tabernacle Otta, Oshobo, Nigeria). He’s the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel International.
David Oyedepo is the presiding Bishop of the Faith Tabernacle Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria. He is also the general Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide.
Living Faith Worldwide (Winners Chapel International) can be found in more than 300 countries, which include several African Countries where Living Faith Churches are found across several cities and other top Tier countries like Dubai, United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, United States and Canada.
As one of the most influential people from Nigeria, David Oyedepo is considered as a pioneer of the charismatic movements in Africa. He was Declared the richest pastor in Nigeria, by Forbes magazine in 2011.
Early Life
In the Year 1954 September 27, David Olaniyi the general overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide was born into the family of Mr. Ibrahim Oyedepo and Mrs. Dorcas Oyedepo a mixed religion family with a Christian mother from the Celestial Church of Christ, and the father a Muslim healer.
His mother used to be a member of the Holy Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (C&S) of the Aladura movement Nigeria.
Having been raised by his grandmother, a devoted Christian, played a vital role in his Faith by instilling in him strong Christian practice like tithing and attending early morning prayers along with him.
Education
David Oyedepo attended both primary and secondary School in Oshobo, after which he furthered his studies at the Kwara State Polytechnic, Kwara State, Middlebelt, Nigeria where he studied Architecture as a discipline.
He’s also a PHD holder in Human Development from Honolulu University, Hawai, US.
Career
Before resigning into full time ministry, Oyedepo worked with the Ilorin Federal Ministry of Housing.
(The Mandate) Ministry and Calling
David Oyedepo accepted Christ and became born again at the age of 15 in 1969 due to the influence of his teacher in person of Late Mrs. Betty Lasher (from June 18, 1930 – August 26, 2022), who showed special interest on the young David Oyedepo, during his school days.
According to Bishop Oyedepo, he was given a mandate by God in May 1981 when he had a trip to Ilesha. He received a mandate from God in an 18 hour vision in May 1981, asking him to “Liberate the world from all oppressions of the devil through the preaching of the word of faith. This mandate led to the beginning of Liberation Faith Hour Ministries in 1981, currently known as the Living Faith Church Worldwide (LFCWW) or Winners Chapel International.
After years of mentorship by prominent Christian leaders like Pastor E.A Adeboye his spiritual father, also known as Daddy G.O, and his life mentor, the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa. Bishop David was set to start his ministry and was ordained by Pastor E.A Adeboye the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God along with an official commission of the new church. After five years of starting his ministry, Oyedepo got ordained a Bishop by the Late Archbishop Benson Idahosa.
The church started with a small congregation in Kaduna, but was later moved to Lagos, Nigeria in 1989 due to revelation from God, to reach out to people in lagos; as claimed by Oyedepo.
Oyedepo has published and authored somany books excluding those published on a periodic basis. He is the chairman of Dominion Publishing House (DPH), a publisher ministry with prints over four million.
Bishop David Oyedepo was declared the richest pastor by Forbes with Net worth over #150 million dollars.
As instructed by God to build a new base to meet up with the necessary demand of worshippers as claimed by Oyedepo. He went ahead to acquire a 530-acre (2 ‘1 km2) facility in Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria currently known as the Canaanland to build a 50,00 seat capacity auditorium (the Faith Tabernacle). The accomplishment of the Faith Tabernacle was documented by the guiness book of record.
The construction of the Faith Tabernacle took 12 months to accomplish and was debt free, serving as the headquarters of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, dedicated on 18 September 1999.
The Canaanland Hosed other facilities apart from the 50,000 seat capacity auditorium (Faith Tabernacle).
Facilities Housed by the Canaanland.
Living faith large and annual gathering (Shiloh) is held at the Canaanland every December with over thousands attendants from across the globe.
Oyedepo is taking it a step further, currently building a 100,000 seater auditorium called “The Ark”. The ongoing construction is said to be the building with the largest seat capacity in the world.
Christianity at Large
Oyedepo’s nature of teaching got him categorised under the word of faith movement. Under this category includes other ministers like Joel Osteen, T.D Jakes, Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, and other Nigerian prominent leaders like Pastor (Enoch Adeboye, who happened to be his spiritual Father), Late Archbishop Idahosa e.t.c. Who are identified as prosperity gospel preachers. Check the list of the top prosperity gospel preachers. This form of the gospel has been criticised by many christian bodies and denominations due to the fact that material (financial) prosperity forms the basis of its teaching.
A Nigerian preacher known as Abel Damina, known by his rigor teachings and sound doctrine approach to the gospel was recently in the forefront of the battle, criticising the prosperity gospel preachers and their teachings.
The Living Faith Bible program is designed for both members and non-members of the Living Faith Church Worldwide. The Word of Faith Bible Institute is made for christian to grow in their knowledge of Chrstian principles and to develop christian ministers and leaders.
DOMI is an online streaming platform for Christian music and messages from preachers all around the world including Bishop Oyedepo (The founder and president of Living Faith Church Worldwide), Bishop David Abioye, Pastor David Oyedepo Jnr. and more. David Oyedepo Ministries International (DOMI) is also the umbrella organization that comprises Living Faith Church Worldwide and World Mission Agency
Book Publishing
Family
David Oyedepo In August 1982 got married to Florence Abiola Akanu, now known as Faith Oyedepo pastor, author whom he met in the early days of his ministry. Faith is not only a wife to Oyedepo, but has made significant contributions to the ministry. She’s in charge of the women women ministry at Living Faith Church, she has written books on marriage, parenting and christian living.
Children
The union between Faith and David Oyedepo is blessed with four (4) children Namely David, Isaac, Love, and Joyce Oyedepo.
Isaac Oyedepo Jr.
David Oyedepo Jr. is an ordained pastor by Kenneth Copeland in May 2007. David Oyedepo is actively the resident pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Otta, with his wife. He’s the former pastor of the Living Faith London Branch.
Isaac Oyedepo
Isaac Oyedepo is also an ordained pastor by Keneth Copeland in May 2007. Isaac, now the presiding pastor and founder of the Anazao Generation Connect, has served as pastor for sixteen years with the Living Faith Church pastoring several branches in the U.S, South Africa and Nigeria.
Love Oyedepo
Love Ojo, the third child and first daughter of Oyedepo got married to Stephen Ogah, a pastor of the living faith. Just like mum, Love also stays active in the women and children ministry.
Joyce Oyedepo
Joyce is the fourth (4) child and second daughter of Bishop David Oyedepo. She is a speaker, writer, and wife to Abiodun Abimbola Olaleye.
Awards and Recognition
- Honorary Doctor of Divinity – Bethel Graduate School of Theology Riverside Califonia
- Fellow of the Nigerian Society for Financial Research.
- Listed among 100 most reputable Africans’ list
Books Written By Bishop David O. Oyedepo
Get The Miracle Seed
Get Understanding Financial Prosperity
