Christ Embassy

== History ==
The church started with a prayer group led by [[Chris Oyakhilome]], at [[Ambrose Alli University]], [[Ekpoma]], while he was studying architecture in 1987.<ref name=erjournal-201503>{{cite journal |url=http://www.erjournal.ru/journals_n/1427563579.pdf |title=The Ministry of Christ Embassy, Lagos. Nigeria| doi=10.13187/er.2015.92.230 |author=T. A. Falaye |journal=European Researcher |volume=92 |issue=3 |date=March 2015 |pages=230–236|accessdate=22 September 2019|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>Laurent Fourchard, André Mary, René Otayek, "Entreprises religieuses transnationales en Afrique de l'Ouest", Karthala Editions, France, 2005, page 470</ref> The church celebrated its 30th anniversary in November 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastorchrisliveusa.org/a-special-message-from-pastor-deola-in-preparation-for-the-ippc-2017/|title=A Special Message from Pastor Deola in Preparation for the IPPC 2017|last=Krinsky|first=Alberto|date=2017-10-23|website=Pastor Chris Live USA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=IPPC 2017 with Pastor Chris - YOU Church is celebratint 30 years of BLW|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4cSr92hMrM|language=en|access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref>

Several other ministries around the world participate in its programs and conferences including the International Pastors and Partners Conference (IPPC), which is held every November in Lagos, Nigeria; the International Cell Leaders' Conference (ICLC), which is held in the middle of the year; the International School of Ministry; the Healing School, etc. <ref>{{cite web |last1=O |first1=Paulinus |title=Revealed: Seven secrets of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome! |url=https://theinfong.com/2014/09/revealed-seven-secrets-of-pastor-chris-oyakhilome-details/ |website=Theinfong |access-date=26 October 2023 |date=3 September 2014}}</ref>

===United Kingdom===
Christ Embassy is a registered charity in the UK, established in 1996.<ref>{{EW charity|1059247|Christ Embassy}}</ref> In July 2013, the [[Charity Commission of England and Wales|Charity Commission]] launched an inquiry regarding the use of charitable funds; however, inspections of records did not resolve concerns about its financial management, and in August 2014, the Charity Commission appointed an interim manager to run the charity until 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=[Withdrawn] Charity Inquiry: Christ Embassy |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/charity-inquiry-christ-embassy/charity-inquiry-christ-embassy |website=GOV.UK |access-date=26 October 2023 |language=en |date=18 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=ts-20140812>{{cite news |url=https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/charity-commission-appoints-interim-manager-evangelical-church-charity-christ-embassy/governance/article/1307532 |title=Charity Commission appoints interim manager for evangelical church charity Christ Embassy |author=Sam Burne James |publisher=Third Sector |date=12 August 2014 |accessdate=22 September 2019}}</ref> [[HM Revenue and Customs|British tax authorities]] withheld £2.8 million in [[Gift Aid]] tax refunds from the charity as they were concerned not all of the charity's income was being spent for charitable purposes.<ref name=civsoc-20140218>{{cite news |url=https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/christian-charity-is-subject-to-hmrc-investigation.html |title=Christian charity is subject to HMRC investigation |last=Weakley |first=Kirsty |website=Civil Society |date=18 February 2014 |accessdate=22 September 2019}}</ref>

=== Australia ===
A branch of the Christ Embassy Church in Sydney was ordered to close for seven days in August 2021 after an illegal in-person service was conducted there during a COVID-19 lockdown.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McPhee |first1=Sarah |title=Seven-day ban on Sydney church after illegal sermon, $49,000 in fines |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/seven-day-ban-on-sydney-church-after-illegal-sermon-49-000-in-fines-20210825-p58ls8.html |access-date=25 August 2021 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=25 August 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The service was attended by 60 people. The pastor of the church had previously discouraged his followers from receiving [[COVID-19 vaccine]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reddie |first1=Mark |title=Pastor who urged Sydney congregation to 'refuse every lockdown' hit with prohibition order |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-25/blacktown-church-fines-for-people-who-broke-covid-rules/100406202 |access-date=25 August 2021 |work=ABC News |date=25 August 2021 |language=en-AU}}</ref>