Christ Embassy

{{Short description|Church and Mission Group based in Lagos, Nigeria}}

{{Infobox Christian denomination
|name = Christ Embassy
|image = 
|imagewidth =
|caption =
|main_classification = [[Evangelicalism]]
|theology = [[Neo-charismatic movement]]
|founder = [[Chris Oyakhilome]]
|headquarters = [[Lagos]], [[Lagos State]], Nigeria
|founded_date = 1987
|area = World 
|website = {{URL|http://www.christembassy.org/}}
|footnotes =
}}

'''Christ Embassy''' (also known as '''LoveWorld Incorporated''' or '''Believers' Loveworld''') is a [[megachurch]] and [[Christian denomination]] founded in 1987 by [[Chris Oyakhilome]] who hails from Edo State, Nigeria. 

The Church, with its headquarters in [[Lagos]], [[Nigeria]], has since become a global network of churches, with congregations in many countries. By 2019 the church had 145 branches on five continents. The Church has ministries in [[Canada]], [[Nigeria]], [[South Africa]], the [[United States]], and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name=ts-20140812/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://punchng.com/the-family-of-pastor-chris-oyakhilome-revealed/|title=The Family of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Revealed|website=Punch Newspapers|date=31 October 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-06}}</ref>

== 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>

== LoveWorld television stations==
Christ Embassy runs seven TV channels, including LoveWorld TV, LoveWorld SAT, LoveWorld Plus, LoveWorld UK, LoveWorld Nigeria, LoveWorld India, and LoveWorld USA.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kalu |first1=Ogbu |title=African Pentecostalism: An Introduction |date=31 March 2008 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-971293-9 |language=en}}</ref>{{rp|118}} LoveWorld USA is run in partnership with Pastor [[Benny Hinn]], who appears in many programs on the channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loveworldusa.org/about/|title=About LoveWorld USA|website=Loveworld USA|access-date=October 25, 2022}}</ref>

===LoveWorld UK===
His UK TV channel was sanctioned twice in the UK for sharing misinformation about COVID-19, including suggesting that Covid was planned and vaccines included manipulative nanochips.<ref>{{cite web |title=‘We declare that lockdowns are over’: Sydney pastor’s COVID sermon before police raid |url=https://www.7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/christ-embassy-leader-shares-conspiracies-c-3756414 |website=7NEWS |access-date=26 October 2023 |language=en |date=23 August 2021}}</ref>

===LoveWorld USA===
LoveWorld USA was an American Christian [[cable television]] network launched by [[Chris Oyakhilome]] and [[Benny Hinn]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pastorchrisliveusa.org/loveworld-usa-launches-new-christian-tv-network/|title=LoveWorld USA launches new Christian TV Network!|last=Christ3mbassy|date=June 5, 2017|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loveworldusa.org/about/|title=About|first=Jae|last=French|website=LoveWorld USA}}</ref> It was available on [[Charter Spectrum]] and [[DirecTV]] as well as other small cable operators in the U.S. Currently, LoveWorld USA has stopped cable broadcasting and is no longer available on DirectTV or Charter Spectrum, but is still available for streaming on its website.

== Loveworld Publications ==
Oyakhilome's publishing house, Loveworld Publications,publishes his books, including ‘Rhapsody of Realities,’ a monthly Christian devotional that sells 2 million copies every month.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nsehe |first1=Mfonobong |title=The Five Richest Pastors In Nigeria |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2011/06/07/the-five-richest-pastors-in-nigeria/?sh=119fa19e6031 |website=Forbes |access-date=26 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

Christ Embassy also has a book publishing firm called LoveWorld Publishing Ministry, and is a dedicated [[Christian Book Distributors|Christian Book Publishing]] firm reaching out to the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ with God's Word through books authored by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

== See also ==
*[[Loveworld Records]]
*[[Rozey]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

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

[[Category:Ogun State]]
[[Category:Christian denominations in Nigeria]]
[[Category:Charismatic denominations]]
[[Category:Evangelical megachurches in Nigeria]]