Chris Oyakhilome

{{Multiple issues|section=|
{{Peacock|date=May 2023}}
{{Autobiography|date=May 2023}}
}}
{{Short description|Nigerian pastor (born 1963)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name        = Chris Oyakhilome
| honorific_prefix = [[Pastor]]
| image       = Pastorchris.jpg
| caption     =
| birth_name         = Christian Oyakhilome
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1963|12|7|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Edo State]], Nigeria
| occupation  = Pastor, [[Faith Healing]] Minister, Television Host, Author, and Philanthropist
| spouse      = {{marriage |Anita Ebhodaghe |1991 |2016 |end=div.}}
| children    = 2
| known_for     = Global Evangelical Outreach
| notable_works = Founder, Loveworld Inc
| website     = {{URL|http://www.pastorchrisonline.org/}}
}}

'''Christian Oyakhilome''' (born 7 December 1963), known as '''Pastor Chris''', is a [[Christian faith|Christian faith leader]], [[preacher]], [[author]], [[Philanthropist (award)|philanthropist]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pastor Oyakhilome Donates 1Billion Naira To Idahosa University |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2015/10/23/pastor-oyakhilome-donates-1billion-naira-to-idahosa-university/ |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=Channels Television |language=en}}</ref> [[Televangelism|televangelist]] and president of Loveworld Incorporated. He is recognized as the founding pastor of the [[Megachurch|Mega Church]] [[Christ Embassy]] and author of the daily devotional [[Rhapsody of Realities|''Rhapsody of Realities'']].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nwafor |date=25 August 2022 |title=Rhapsody of Realities hits 7,000 languages, hosts #ReachOutWorldLive with Pastor Chris |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/08/rhapsody-of-realities-hits-7000-languages-hosts-reachoutworldlive-with-pastor-chris/ |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.channelstv.com/2015/10/23/pastor-oyakhilome-donates-1billion-naira-to-idahosa-university/|title=Pastor Oyakhilome Donates 1Billion Naira To Idahosa University – Channels Television}}</ref> 

Oyakhilome also organizes large [[crusades]], with some garnering attendance of over 3.5 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 April 2014 |title=Pastor Chris Oyakhilome builds N100 million auditorium |url=https://encomium.ng/pastor-chris-oyakhilome-builds-n100-million-auditorium/ |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=Encomium |language=en-US}}</ref> His healing school holds periodically every year in [[Nigeria]] and [[South Africa]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Thousands Attend Christ Embassy Healing School in Lagos – THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/08/10/thousands-attend-christ-embassy-healing-school-in-lagos/ |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=www.thisdaylive.com}}</ref> 

== Early life and education ==
Chris Oyakhilome was born on 7 December 1963 to Tim and Angelina Oyakhilome in [[Edo State]], [[Nigeria]]. He is the third child of 7 children and the first of two sons. He has five sisters and all of his siblings play active roles in Loveworld and [[Christ Embassy]]. They are Beayeta Akhuemokhan (née Oyakhilome), Mercy Oyakhilome,  Kenneth Oyakhilome, Linda Okocha (née Oyakhilome), Kathy Woghiren (née Oyakhilome) and Lovelina Osazuwa (née Oyakhilome).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Man |first=The New |title=Biography of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome |url=https://www.thenewman.org.ng/2021/03/biography-of-pastor-chris-oyakhilome.html |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=The New Man Movement}}</ref>

He attended [[Edo College]], and on scholarship, gained admission into [[Bendel State University]], which was later renamed  [[Ambrose Alli University|Ambrose Ali University]], Ekpoma where he studied and obtained a first degree in [[Architecture]].<ref name="tribune">{{Cite web |last=Online |first=Tribune |date=28 October 2019 |title=A Biography of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome: The Glorious Life of the Man of God |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/a-biography-of-pastor-chris-oyakhilome-the-glorious-life-of-the-man-of-god/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |website=Tribune Online |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Ministry and theology ==
[[File:Christ Embassy Luton - geograph.org.uk - 1598547.jpg|thumb|Christ Embassy in Luton, England|left]]
Chris Oyakhilome's ministry began to crystallize while a student on campus at Ambrose Alli University. As an undergraduate, he founded a Youth Ministry called Youth For Christ, which became the largest fellowship at Bendel State University. In one of his services, Chris Oyakhilome gave an account of how the Vice Chancellor at the time attended his service once on Campus.<ref>{{Citation |title=PASTOR CHRIS REVEALS HOW HIS VICE CHANCELLOR DIDN'T WANT HIM TO ORGANIZE MEETING AT SCHOOL |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn4E5VyW8pw |language=en |access-date=7 February 2023}}</ref> 

Upon graduation in 1987, he started a Church in Benin City and relocated to Lagos in 1989, where he fully established Christ Embassy.<ref name="tribune" />

Today, there are BLW Campus Fellowships and Christ Embassy Churches in higher institutions and major cities around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Believer's Loveworld (BLW) |url=https://www.leicesterunion.com/opportunities/societies/findasociety/blwle/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |website=www.leicesterunion.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Biography: Who Is Christ Embassy Founder and How Old is He Now? |url=https://buzznigeria.com/pastor-chris-oyakhilome/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |website=buzznigeria.com}}</ref>

His ministry holds crusades in the [[United Kingdom]], the [[United States]], [[Ghana]] and [[South Africa]],<ref>News report from Channel 7: https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/christ-embassy-leader-shares-conspiracies-c-3756414. Accessed 24 August 2021.</ref> and has "healing school" sessions in South Africa, [[Lagos]], and Canada.<ref name=":1" /> He pioneered a Christian-based television network from Africa to the rest of the world. He also held the largest single-night event in Nigeria in 2006 with 3.5 million people in attendance "Good Friday Miracle Night".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://loveworldnews.com/posts/5524f5396c6f761cf0640100 |title=Pastor Chris' Ministrations at IEYC 2015 (Session II) |publisher=Loveworldnews.com |access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref> Oyakhilome also hosts Higher Life conferences in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, the UK, the US, and Canada,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nigeriagalleria.com/Nigeria/Personality-Profiles/Pastors-Bishops/Pastor-Chris-Oyakhilome.html |title=Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Pastor, Prophet, Evangelist, Nigeria Personality Profiles |website=nigeriagalleria.com |access-date=3 May 2017}}</ref> and organized the ''Night of Bliss'' South Africa event at the [[FNB Stadium]] in [[Johannesburg]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.drum.co.za/articles/News/We-attend-Pastor-Chris-Night-of-Bliss |title=We attend Pastor Chris' Night of Bliss |date=16 March 2011 |publisher=DRUM |access-date=11 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502041103/http://www.drum.co.za/articles/News/We-attend-Pastor-Chris-Night-of-Bliss |archive-date=2 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Oyakhilome also operates an International School of Ministry,<ref name="naijanewshub.com.ng">{{Cite web |url=http://naijanewshub.com.ng/pastor-chris-oyakhilome-biography-ministry-divorce-news%20/ |title=Naija News Hub - News, Entertainment, Information & Tips |website=Naija News Hub |access-date=3 May 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> which held one of its Ministers' Network Conferences in 2016 with 5,000 ministers in attendance from 145 countries, in Johannesburg, South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://loveworldnews.com/posts/in-todays-news-welcome-luncheon-at-ism-ministers-network-conference |title=Welcome Luncheon at ISM Ministers' Network Conference |date=12 April 2016 |publisher=Loveworldnews.com |access-date=1 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="naijanewshub.com.ng" />

He runs an online prayer network using social media to send messages to Christians in several countries. He also operates a smartphone messenger called KingsChat.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joinkingschat.android&hl=en |title=KingsChat on Google Play |access-date=29 August 2016}}</ref> In 2015, Oyakhilome was given an honorary doctorate from Ambrose Alli University<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2015 |title=AAU to honour Oyakhilome, others |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/aau-to-honour-oyakhilome-others/ |access-date=6 April 2022 |website=The Nation Newspaper |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[Benson Idahosa University]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Pastor-Chris-Oyakhilome-pledges-N1billion-to-Nigeria-University-389657 |title=Pastor Chris Oyakhilome pledges N1billion to Nigeria University |publisher=Ghanaweb.com |access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref> In 2017, Oyakhilome, in partnership with [[Benny Hinn]], created the Christian cable channel [[LoveWorld USA]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

Oyakhilome has hosted several online programs including five editions of the Global Day of Prayer, with Benny Hinn, the first edition on 27 March 2020. Today, his ministry has a digital currency called Espee that members can use to make different transactions.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

==Personal life==
Chris Oyakhilome married Anita Ebhodaghe on 2 February 1991. They met as students at University. Anita was also a Pastor in Christ Embassy and she was known widely as Pastor Anita. They later had two daughters, Sharon and Charlene.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://guardian.ng/news/all-about-pastor-chris-oyakhilomes-marriage-wife-and-children/ |title=All about Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s marriage, wife and children |work=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]] |access-date=17 January 2024}}</ref>

The couple filed for divorce on 9 April 2014. In an official release made by Pastor Anita's legal team, Attwaters Jameson Hill, the divorce was confirmed completed on 8 February 2016, and they stated, "''Anita Oyakhilome would like to confirm that she is no longer involved in or part of Christ Embassy AKA Believers loveworld inc''."
<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.attwatersjamesonhill.co.uk/news/anita-oyakhilome |title=Anita Oyakhilome Attwaters Jameson Hill Harlow |work=Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors |access-date=3 May 2017}}</ref>

On 6 October 2018, Pastor Benny Hinn officiated the wedding ceremony of Pastor Chris' first daughter, Sharon, to Phillip Frimpong; a Ghanaian, with former President [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] as chairman of the occasion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nigeria |first=Guardian |date=9 April 2023 |title=The Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Family: His Two Daughters |url=https://guardian.ng/news/the-pastor-chris-oyakhilome-family-his-two-daughters/ |access-date=21 January 2024 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sunkanmi |first=Iyanu |date=6 October 2018 |title=Beautiful white wedding photos of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's daughter |url=https://www.kemifilani.ng/weddings/beautiful-photos-from-pastor-chris-oyakhilomes-daughters-wedding/ |access-date=21 January 2024 |website=Kemi Filani News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2011, ''[[Forbes]]'' estimated Oyakhilome's wealth as between $30 million and $50 million.<ref name="reuters-20141012">{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-megachurches-insight-idUSKCN0I104F20141012 |title=Nigeria's 'megachurches': a hidden pillar of Africa's top economy |last=Cocks |first=Tim |date=12 October 2014 |access-date=22 September 2019 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

==Philanthropic work==
Oyakhilome operates the Inner City Mission Project, which works to assist orphaned and indigent children in inner cities in several countries.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://theinnercitymission.ngo/about/|title=About - InnerCity Mission HQ|work=The InnerCity Mission}}</ref> The organisation is under the auspices of the [[Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International]], which works to help the poor and those in the inner cities. The organisation sends relief materials to countries when disasters strike and work with government parastatals to improve social well-being.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

The Chris Oyakhilome Foundation is one of the major sponsors of the [https://pushaboo.com/donations/ inner city orphanage homes]<ref>{{Cite web |title=DONATIONS · TRUSTED MARKET FOR HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES |url=https://pushaboo.com/donations/ |access-date=6 April 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> in Africa managed by pushaboo,<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Pushaboo|url=https://pushaboo.com/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411143726/https://pushaboo.com/ |archive-date=11 April 2020 |access-date=|website=Pushaboo}}</ref> an organisation spearheading the care of mothers and babies around the world.

Other agencies<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International Takes the Lead in Humanitarian Efforts Across the African Continent|url=https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/279285/the-pastor-chris-oyakhilome-foundation-international-takes-t.html|access-date=15 July 2020|website=Nigerian Voice}}</ref> supported by Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI) are the Volunteer Medical Corps, [[Trauma Care International Foundation]], Inner City Mission for Children, Future Africa Leaders Foundation and the Bible for All Mission.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

== Honors ==
Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from Benson Idahosa University.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://www.biu.edu.ng/pastor-chris-oyakhilome-bags-biu-doctorate-degree-in-divinity/ |title=Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Bags BIU Doctorate Degree in Divinity |website=biu.edu.ng |date=30 October 2015 |publisher=Benson Idahosa University |access-date=3 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.onlineprnews.com/news/653287-1451557375-pastor-chris-honored-with-the-prestigious-doctorate-degree.html |title=Pastor Chris Honored with the Prestigious Doctorate Degree |website=onlineprnews.com |access-date=3 May 2017}}</ref>

Honorary Doctorate Doctor of Science Award, Ambrose Alli University.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.biznesswatch.com/pastor-chris-oyakhilome-awarded-doctor-of-science-by-ambrose-ali-universityekpoma-edo-state/|title=Pastor Chris Oyakhilome- Awarded Doctor of Science by Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State. &#124; Bizness Watch|website=www.biznesswatch.com|access-date=4 June 2019|archive-date=4 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604081648/http://www.biznesswatch.com/pastor-chris-oyakhilome-awarded-doctor-of-science-by-ambrose-ali-universityekpoma-edo-state/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In December 2023, he was named the Chancellor – Head of Government and Chairman Plenipotentiary of Weldios University. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Content |first=Branded |date=7 December 2023 |title=Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is the new Chancellor of the prestigious Weldios University |url=https://punchng.com/pastor-chris-oyakhilome-is-the-new-chancellor-of-the-prestigious-weldios-university/ |access-date=9 December 2023 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Controversies==

Oyakhilome has garnered attention for his advocacy of faith healing as a potential solution for [[HIV/AIDS]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Hundreds share testimonies from virtual healing services with Pastor Chris |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/10/15/hundreds-share-testimonies-from-virtual-healing-services-with-pastor-chris/ |access-date=15 February 2024 |work=[[P.M. News]]}}</ref>

Oyakhilome has been accused of preaching the [[prosperity gospel]] and using his followers for money, stating that those who donate to his ministry will be rewarded with wealth, health.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/preachers-of-prosperity-faith-as-business/a-38936708 |title=Preachers of prosperity: faith as business |last=Aarni Kuoppamäki |date=22 May 2017 |work=[[Deutsche Welle|DW]] |access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> However he has responded to criticism by stating that "true prosperity comes from spiritual growth and adherence to God's principles, not mere material accumulation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nigeria |first=Guardian |date=2024-03-16 |title=Pastor Chris on prosperity gospel: "It is about how you live your life" |url=https://guardian.ng/news/pastor-chris-on-prosperity-gospel-it-is-about-how-you-live-your-life/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}</ref>

Oyakhilome also supports YouTube-propagated [[conspiracy theories]], including a video he posted linking the Corona Virus with the 5G mobile network rollout and a conspiracy of the "[[New World Order (conspiracy theory)|New World Order.]]"<ref>{{Cite news|last=Orjinmo|first=Nduka |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52189785|title=Nigeria's mega-churches adjust to empty auditoriums|date=8 April 2020|publisher=BBC News|access-date=14 April 2020|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In March 2021, his television network Loveworld received guidance from British regulators, acknowledging areas for improvement in adhering to broadcasting rules regarding information about coronavirus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Pastor Chris Leverages Tech to Reach a Global Audience - THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/03/05/how-pastor-chris-leverages-tech-to-reach-a-global-audience |access-date=11 March 2024 |website=www.thisdaylive.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Writings ==
Oyakhilome is the author of ''Rhapsody of Realities'', which is distributed monthly in several countries and also shared via social media platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newsday.co.zw/2017/04/17/pastor-chris-maiden-zim-trip/ |title=Pastor Chris in maiden Zim trip |date=17 April 2017 |website=NewsDay Zimbabwe |access-date=3 May 2017}}</ref>  Below are the books written and the year published.
* Recreating Your World in 1998
* Gates of Zion in 1998
* Your Rights In Christ in 1998
* The Oil And The Mantle in 1999
* None of These Diseases in 2000
* How To Receive Your Miracle and Retain It in 2001
* When God Visits You in 2001
* The Power of Tongues in 2001
* Join This Chariot in 2002
* Praying the Right Way in 2004
* Don't Stop Here in 2004
* How To Make Your Faith Work in 2005
* Prophecy in 2005
* Seven Things The Holy Spirit Will Do For You in 2005
* Holy Spirit And You in 2005
* Now That You Are Born Again in 2006
* The Seven Spirits of God in 2006
* Healing From Heaven in 2010
* Rhapsody Of Realities Topical Compendium in 2011
* How To Pray Effectively in 2012
* The Power Of Your Mind: Walk In Divine Excellence in 2016<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Oyakhilome Biography, Education, Ministry, Networth |url=https://naijabiography.com/biography/chris-oyakhilome-biography-education-ministry-networth/ |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=Naijabiography Media |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.pastorchrisonline.org/}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oyakhilome, Chris}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Nigerian television evangelists]]
[[Category:Nigerian Pentecostal pastors]]
[[Category:Faith healers]]
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:Prosperity theologians]]