By Admin
God is good, especially if you’re a Nigerian pastor with some
business savvy. These days, millions of souls, desperate for financial
breakthroughs, miracles and healing, all rush to the church for
redemption. And while the bible expressly states that salvation is free,
at times it comes with a cost: offerings, tithes, gifts to spiritual
leaders, and a directive to buy literature and other products created by
men of God.
Pastors are no longer solely interested in getting people to Heaven;
they’ve devised intelligent ways to make good money while reaching out
to souls.
Take Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, for example. He is the founder and lead
pastor of the Christ Embassy, a thriving congregation with branches in
Nigeria, South Africa, London, Canada and the United States. His
publishing company, Loveworld Publications, publishes ‘Rhapsody of
Realities,’ a monthly devotional he co-authors with his wife. It sells
over 2 million copies every month at $1 apiece. He also owns television
stations, newspapers, magazines, a hotel, a fast-food chain, and more.
Many other Nigerian pastors are similarly building multi-million
dollar empires from their churches. Today, pastors fly around in private
jets, drive fancy cars like Daimlers, Porsches and BMWs, don Rolexes
and Patek Phillipes, and own breathtaking mansions all over the world.
Bishop David Oyedepo
Affiliation: Living Faith World Outreach Ministry, aka Winners Chapel
Estimated net worth: $150 million
David Oyedepo is Nigeria’s wealthiest preacher. Ever since he founded
the Living Faith World Outreach Ministry in 1981, it has grown to
become one of Africa’s largest congregations. The Faith Tabernacle,
where he hosts three services every Sunday, is Africa’s largest worship
center, with a seating capacity of 50,000. Oyedepo owns four private
jets and homes in London and the United States. He also owns Dominion
Publishing House, a thriving publishing company that publishes all his
books (which are often centered on prosperity). He founded and owns
Covenant University, one of Nigeria’s leading tertiary institutions, and
Faith Academy, an elite high school.
Chris Oyakhilome
Church: Believers’ Loveworld Ministries, a.k.a Christ Embassy
Estimated net worth: $30 million – $50 million
Last year, the charismatic preacher was at the center of a $35
million money laundering case in which he was accused of siphoning funds
from his church to foreign banks. Pastor Chris pleaded no wrongdoing
and the case was eventually dismissed. His church, Christ Embassy,
boasts more than 40,000 members, several of whom are successful business
executives and politicians. Oyakhilome’s diversified interests include
newspapers, magazines, a local television station, a record label,
satellite TV, hotels and extensive real estate. His Loveworld TV Network
is the first Christian network to broadcast from Africa to the rest of
the world on a 24 hour basis.
Temitope Joshua
Church: Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN)
Estimated net worth: $10 million – $15 million
Nigeria’s most controversial clergyman is also one of its richest and
most philanthropic. T.B Joshua heads the Synagogue Church of all
Nations (SCOAN), a congregation he founded in 1987, which accommodates
over 15,000 worshippers on Sundays. The Pastor has remained
controversial for several years for his inexplicable powers to heal all
sorts of incurable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, cancer and paralysis.
For miracle-craving worshippers, it’s the perfect seduction. The church
currently has branches in Ghana, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and
Greece. In the past three years, he has given over $20 million to causes
in education, healthcare and rehabilitation programs for former Niger
Delta militants. He owns Emmanuel TV, a Christian television network,
and is close friends with Ghanaian President Atta Mills.
Matthew Ashimolowo
Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC)
Estimated net worth: $6 million – $10 million
In 1992, Foursquare Gospel Church, a Nigerian church, sent Ashimolowo
to open a satellite branch in London. But Pastor Matthew had other
ideas and decided to set up his own church instead. Today, his Kingsway
International Christian Center is reportedly the largest Pentecostal
church in the United Kingdom. In 2009, the church posted profits of
close to $10 million and assets worth $40 million. Ashimolowo earns an
annual salary of $200,000, but his real wealth comes from varied
business interests including his media company, Matthew Ashimolowo
media, which churns out Christian literature and documentaries.
Ashimolowo’s representatives did not respond to a request confirming his
net worth and ownership of all these assets.
Chris Okotie
Church: Household of God Church
Net worth: $3 million -$10 million
Pastor Okotie made his first success as a popular pop musician in the
80s. He found the light, embraced the bible and set up the Household of
God Church, one of Nigeria’s most flamboyant congregations. His 5,000
member church consists predominantly of Nollywood celebrities,
musicians, and society people. He contested and lost Nigerian
presidential elections for the third time this year under the Fresh
Party, a political party he founded and funds. An automobile lover, he
owns a Mercedes S600, Hummer and Porsche among several others.
