David Oyedepo

{{Short description|Nigerian clergyman (born 1954)}}
{{Unbalanced|date=September 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix   = Bishop
| name               = David Oyedepo
| image              = David and Florence Abiola Oyedepo.jpg
| caption            = Oyedepo and his wife
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1954|9|27|df=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[Osogbo]], Southern Region, [[British Nigeria]] (now in [[Osun State]], Nigeria)
| occupation         = Pastor, author, [[televangelist]]
| children           = 4
| website            = 
| birthname          = David Olaniyi Oyedepo
| spouse             = {{marriage|Faith Abiola Oyedepo née Akano|1982}}
}}

'''David Olaniyi Oyedepo''' (born 27 September 1954) is a Nigerian preacher, the founder of the [[Living Faith Church Worldwide]], and presiding Bishop of the [[Faith Tabernacle]] in [[Ado-Odo/Ota|Ota]], [[Ogun State]], Nigeria. The church is also known as [[Living Faith Church Worldwide|Winners' Chapel International.]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 October 2021 |title=PANDORA PAPERS: How Bishop David Oyedepo set up family offshore company in tax haven |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/489110-pandora-papers-how-bishop-david-oyedepo-set-up-family-offshore-company-in-tax-haven.html |access-date=2022-03-01 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The Winners' Chapel International network of churches is located in over 300 cities, in all [[states of Nigeria]] and several cities across forty-five African nations, in [[Dubai]], the United Kingdom, and Europe, in Asia, and in the United States and Canada. 

Oyedepo has been regarded as one of the pioneers of the Christian [[charismatic movement]] in Africa, and has been referred to as one of the most influential preachers to originate out from Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Man |first=The New |title=Biography of Bishop David Oyedepo |url=https://www.thenewman.org.ng/2021/03/biography-of-bishop-david-oyedepo.html |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=The New Man Movement}}</ref> He is the [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of [[Covenant University]] and [[Landmark University]], and was named in 2011 by ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine as being the richest pastor in Nigeria.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blogs.forbes.com/mfonobongnsehe/2011/06/07/the-five-richest-pastors-in-nigeria/ |title=The Five Richest Pastors In Nigeria |author=Mfonobong Nsehe |date=7 June 2011 |work=Forbes |access-date=8 December 2014}}</ref>

==Early life==
On 27 September 1954, David Olaniyi Oyedepo was born in [[Osogbo]], Nigeria, but is a native of [[Omu-Aran]], [[Irepodun, Kwara|Irepodun]] Local Government Area of [[Kwara State]]. He was raised in a mixed-religious family. His father, Ibrahim, was a Muslim healer. His mother, Dorcas, was a member of the [[Holy Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement]] Church (C&S), a branch of the [[Aladura]] movement in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our Bishop – Winners Chapel Chicago|url=https://www.winnerschapelchicago.org/our-bishop/|access-date=2021-05-20|language=en-US|archive-date=20 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520153058/https://www.winnerschapelchicago.org/our-bishop/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was raised by his grandmother in Osogbo, who introduced him to the virtues of Christian life via early morning prayers which she attended with him. She also taught him the importance of tithing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pastor David Olaniyi Oyedepo, Pastor, Prophet, Evangelist, Nigeria Personality Profiles |url=https://www.nigeriagalleria.com/Nigeria/Personality-Profiles/Pastors-Bishops/Pastor-David-Olaniyi-Oyedepo.html |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=www.nigeriagalleria.com}}</ref>

== Education ==
Oyedepo studied architecture at the [[Kwara State Polytechnic]] [Kwara State, North Central, Nigeria].<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 August 2020 |title=Bishop David Oyedepo And These Pastors Studied The Same Courses Before Their Calls Into Ministry {{!}} |url=https://nobelie.com/bishop-david-oyedepo-and-these-pastors-studied-the-same-courses-before-their-calls-into-ministry/ |access-date=2023-01-28 |language=en-US}}</ref> He also received a PhD in Human Development from [[Honolulu University]], Hawaii, US.

== Career ==
Oyedepo worked briefly with the Federal Ministry of Housing, in [[Ilorin]] before resigning to concentrate on missionary work.

==Ministry==
Oyedepo became "[[born again]]" in 1969, through the influence of his teacher Betty Lasher (18 June 1930 – 26 August 2022), who took an interest in him during his high school days. According to him, he received a mandate from God through an 18-hour vision in May 1981, to liberate the world from all oppressions of the devil through the preaching of the word of faith.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mandate|url=http://faithtabernacle.org.ng/aboutus/|access-date=2019-04-18|archive-date=20 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420141806/http://faithtabernacle.org.ng/aboutus/|url-status=dead}}</ref> This is the inaugural vision that led to the founding of the Living Faith Church World Wide (LFCWW), first called Liberation [[Faith]] Hour Ministries, in 1981. Two years later, on 17 September 1983, Pastor [[Enoch Adeboye]], General Overseer of the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]], ordained David and his wife, Florence Abiola Akano (known as Faith Abiola Oyedepo<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 September 2021|title=Pastor Faith Oyedepo Biography, Family, Net Worth & Lessons From Her...|url=https://christiandiet.com.ng/pastor-faith-oyedepo-biography-family-net-worth-lessons-from-her-life/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Christian Gospel songs – Christian ebooks {{!}} Christian diet|language=en-US}}</ref>) to become pastors and officially commissioned the new church. Five years later, Oyedepo was ordained as Bishop by his life mentor, the late Archbishop [[Benson Idahosa]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 September 2017|title=40 REMARKABLE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN BENSON IDAHOSA AND BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO|url=https://www.gospelnaija.com/relationships-2/5295-40-remarkable-similarities-between-benson-idahosa-and-bishop-david-oyedepo|access-date=2022-02-15|website=www.gospelnaija.com|language=en-gb}}</ref>

Living Faith Church (AKA Winners Chapel International) started in [[Kaduna]] but moved to [[Lagos]], the former capital of Nigeria in July 1989, to start a new branch of the church after Oyedepo claimed to have received instructions from God to reach out to the people of Lagos.

According to ''[[Forbes]]'', Oyedepo is the wealthiest preacher in the world with a net worth of over US$150&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 January 2021|title=10 Richest Pastors In The World & Net Worth 2022 [Forbes Ranking]|url=https://richupdates.com/richest-pastors-in-the-world/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=RichUpdates|language=en-US}}</ref> The church owns four private jets and several buildings, including in London and the US. Oyedepo is an author and publisher who has written over 70 titles apart from periodicals. He is the chairman or publisher of Dominion Publishing House (DPH), a publishing arm of the ministry. DPH has over 4 million prints in circulation to date. Through Oyedepo; Covenant University, [[Faith Academy Secondary School|Faith Academy]], and Kingdom Heritage Model Schools have been established to equip the youth for global impact. The construction of a third university named Crown University is already underway, located in [[Calabar]], [[Cross River State|Cross River]], Nigeria.<ref name=Forbes>{{cite news |url=https://blogs.forbes.com/mfonobongnsehe/2011/06/07/the-five-richest-pastors-in-nigeria/ |title=The Five Richest Pastors In Nigeria |first=Mfonobong |last=Nsehe |work=[[Forbes]] |access-date=12 June 2011 |date=7 June 2011}}</ref>

In 1998, Oyedepo claimed he was instructed by God to build a new base for the commission to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers. This resulted in Oyedepo's church's acquisition of the initial {{convert|530|acre|km2|adj=on}} facility, known as [[Canaanland]], which serves as the headquarters. It is the home of the 50,000-seat capacity auditorium, the 'Faith Tabernacle'.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/542154.stm|access-date=2008-06-08 |work=BBC News |title=Church of the 50,000 faithful |date=30 November 1999}}</ref> This was a feat also recorded by the Guinness Book of Records.<ref>{{cite web |author=Category: Headlines |url=http://www.inprofiledaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=880:bishop-oyedepo-arrives-today-as-empowerment-summit-2009-kicks-off&catid=1:headlines&Itemid=56|title=In Profile Daily |publisher=In Profile Daily |access-date=2014-08-25}}</ref>

Construction was completed within 12 months. Reports also claimed that this building was built debt-free.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200604210188.html |title=Nigeria: Living Faith Church @ 25: Oyedepo Recounts Achievements |access-date=2015-02-05 |date=21 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ofmonline.ning.com/forum/topics/2040680:Topic:6313?commentId=2040680:Comment:35105 |title=Reply Deleted |publisher=Ofmonline.ning.com |access-date=2014-08-25 |archive-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427013248/http://ofmonline.ning.com/forum/topics/2040680:Topic:6313?commentId=2040680:Comment:35105 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
This 50,000-seat edifice was dedicated on 18 September 1999, under the administration of former President [[Olusegun Obasanjo]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Adelegan |first=Femi |date=2013 |title=Nigeria's Leading Lights of the Gospel |publisher=WestBow Press |page=145 |url={{Google books |3hodxvQCAv0C |plainurl=yes}} |isbn=978-1-4497-6953-6 |access-date=2015-02-04}}</ref>

[[Canaanland]] is in Ota, Ogun state, and is the {{convert|5000|acre|km2|adj=on}} estate and campus, that houses The 50,000-seat auditorium, the church secretariat, the church's youth chapel, a primary school called Kingdom heritage model school, a full boarding mission secondary school called Faith Academy, with over 1,500 students and the Covenant University facilities -<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.covenantuniversity.edu.ng |title=Covenant University |access-date=2014-08-02}}</ref> which accommodates over 7,000 students, fully resident in ultra-modern hostel facilities – with fully equipped faculty buildings and numerous staff housing facilities. Canaanland campus also has for-profit establishments operated by the church such as a bakery, a bottled water processing plant, a petrol station, various restaurants and shopping stores, and several residential houses that provide for the over 2,000 church employees and guesthouses. Four banks are also present on this Estate, three of which are branches of external commercial banks and one which is a community and [[micro-finance]] Bank operated by the Church. The whole of Canaanland which includes a proposed 15,000 housing estate known as Canaan City had increased to 17,000 acres as of 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cenbank.org/Supervision/fi.asp?name=Covenant%20University%20Microfinance%20Bank%20Limited&institutetype=MicroFinance%20Bank |title=Central Bank of Nigeria &#124; All Financial Institutions &#124; Covenant University Microfinance Bank Limited |publisher=Cenbank.org |date=17 August 2009 |access-date=2014-08-25}}</ref>

The Ministry's biggest annual meeting Shiloh, is held every December in the same Faith Tabernacle and often welcomes thousands of congregants across the world. The ministry is currently building a 100,000-seater auditorium called the "Ark", which is reputed to be the building with the largest span in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|last=JOE|first=IBEH C.|date=5 July 2021|title=Winners' Chapel Ark Is The Building With The Largest Span On Earth – Bishop Oyedepo|url=https://thepreachersportal.org/winners-chapel-ark-is-the-building-with-the-largest-span-on-earth-bishop-oyedepo/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=The Preachers' Portal}}</ref>

==Christian ministry==
The teachings of Oyedepo have put him in the category of what is commonly called the [[Word of Faith]] Movement.<ref>[[Kenneth Copeland#2008 controversy|Believers Stand United]], {{cite web |url=http://www.believersstandunited.com/word_of_faith_movement.html |title=Word of Faith Movement has deep roots in American History |access-date=2010-02-02 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423221128/http://www.believersstandunited.com/word_of_faith_movement.html |archive-date=23 April 2012 }}.</ref>
He has referred to principal exponents of the Faith Movement such as [[Kenneth Copeland]], [[Gloria Copeland]], the late [[Kenneth Hagin]], [[E. W. Kenyon]], [[T. L. Osborn]], [[Smith Wigglesworth]] as well as renowned Nigerian preachers; [[Enoch Adeboye]] and the late [[Benson Idahosa]] as mentors.<ref>Selome Igbekele Kuponu, S 2005. "Processes of Deliverance Ritual among Nigerian Pentecostals: The Case of the Living Faith
Church", paper presented at the Postgraduate Colloquium, Department of History of Religions, University of Bayreuth/Germany, 24 November.</ref><ref>Selome Igbekele Kuponu, S 2006. "Success and Empowerment in Living Faith Church Worldwide, Nigeria", paper presented at the Postgraduate Colloquium, Department of History of Religions, University of Bayreuth/Germany, 2 February.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://livingfaithmedia.blogspot.co.at/2014/09/celebrating-papa-60-one-on-one-with.html?showComment=1411914198447&m=1 |title=Celebrating Papa @ 60! … Bishop David Oyedepo Talks About Life @ 60 |quote=[M]y spiritual life was boosted largely through faith teachings of Kenneth E. Hagin and E. W. Kenyon. T. L. Osborn taught me how to hear from God without which, perhaps, I will not have been in ministry today. Kenneth Copeland taught me how to access divine supplies both for my life and the work of the ministry. |access-date=2014-01-12}}</ref> As with many of his influences, Oyedepo has been described as a preacher of the [[Prosperity theology|prosperity gospel]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Gospel glamour: how Nigeria's pastors wield political power|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/13/gospel-glamour-how-nigerias-pastors-wield-political-power|author=Ruth Maclean and Eromo Egbejule|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=13 February 2019|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=The prosperity theology's impact on the contemporary Nigerian Church and society|url=https://www.academia.edu/37126031|date=29 September 2017|access-date=29 December 2019|author=Goka Muele Mpigi|journal=Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, Akwa Ibom State University|publisher=Academia.edu}}</ref>

Winners' Chapel International operates a Bible training program known as the Word of Faith Bible Institute for members and non-members alike to develop knowledge of Christian principles as well as to develop leaders and future pastors. The institute is run in major branches of the Church.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://davidoyedepo.com/1979-1987/wofbi--mandate|title=The Word of Faith Bible Institute|access-date=2014-01-11|archive-date=18 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418141630/http://davidoyedepo.com/1979-1987/wofbi--mandate|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Oyedepo is the president of David Oyedepo Ministries International (DOMI).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://davidoyedepo.com/|title=David Oyedepo Ministries International|access-date=2014-01-11}}</ref> DOMI is the umbrella organisation comprising Living Faith Church World Wide (a global network of churches), World Mission
Agency (WMA); the global missionary arm of the church's operations, Dominion Publishing House; the publishing arm of the church, Covenant University, and the Social Development Missions projects – made up of hospitals, maternity homes, schools, etc.

Oyedepo has criticised corruption in Africa as a whole and poor leadership in government.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/250632/1/christians-must-champion-fight-against-corruption-.html |title=Ghana HomePage – Breaking News, Business, Sports, Entertainment and Video News |publisher=Modernghana.com |access-date=2014-08-25}}</ref>

He was also a critic of Nigeria's former President [[Muhammadu Buhari]].<ref>{{Cite news| title = Nigerians Have Short Memory, I Knew Buhari Would Be Error — Bishop Oyedepo | url = https://saharareporters.com/2022/04/18/nigerians-have-short-memory-i-knew-buhari-would-be-error-—-bishop-oyedepo | work = Sahara Reporters | date = 18 April 2012}}</ref>

==Book publishing==
oyedepo's church operates its own publishing house, called Dominion Publishing House (DPH), commissioned on 5 December 1992, which has published over 70 Christian, inspirational and motivational books, mini-books, magazines and other resources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://davidoyedepo.com/1979-1987/publishn-mandate|title=Publishing Mandate|access-date=2015-02-05|archive-date=18 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418141614/http://davidoyedepo.com/1979-1987/publishn-mandate|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Family==
In August 1982, Oyedepo married Florence Abiola Akano (now known as Faith Oyedepo). They have four children together (David Jr, Isaac, Love and Joyce).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.myheritage.com/names/joyce_oyedepo|title=Joyce Oyedepo|website=myheritage.com}}{{subscription required}}</ref> David Oyedepo Jr and Isaac Oyedepo were ordained as [[Pastor]]s in May 2007 by [[Kenneth Copeland]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thenationonlineng.net/new/40-things-to-know-about-bishop-david-oyedepo/ |title=40 Things to know about Bishop David Oyedepo |date=27 September 2014 |access-date=2015-02-05}}</ref> David Oyedepo Jr formerly pastored the London Branch of the Church with his wife Kemi, but is now the resident pastor of [[Faith Tabernacle]] in [[Ado-Odo/Ota|Ota]], while Isaac Oyedepo formerly pastored Winners' Chapel International [[Mitchellville, Maryland]], in the United States of America with his wife Ayomitide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/oyedepos-son-isaac-takes-over-winners-churchs-us-operations/ |title=Oyedepo's son, Isaac, takes over Winners Church's US operations |date=20 July 2019 |access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> His first daughter Love is married to Stephen Ogah, who also pastors in Winners' Chapel.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Love Oyedepo-Ogah: Things You Didn't Know about Her|url=https://nigerianfinder.com/love-oyedepo-ogah/|access-date=2021-01-28|website=nigerianfinder.com}}</ref>  Joyce Priscilla is the last child and second daughter; she married Abimbola Abodunrin in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 August 2020|title=Bishop oyedepo's daughter marries on parents 38th wedding anniversary|url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/08/22/bishop-oyedepos-daughter-marries-on-parents-38th-wedding-anniversary/|access-date=2021-01-28|website=P.M. News|language=en-US}}</ref>

== David Oyedepo Day of Service (DODOS) ==
The DODOS is an initiative set up by the Covenant University Alumni Association to promote the contributions and lifestyle of Oyedepo. Starting on 27 September 2012, Oyedepo's birthday, people around the world who connect with this initiative are expected to show an act of contribution to individuals, organizations, or society at large.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/Media/Banner-Assemblies/Homepage/Notifications/David-Oyedepo-Day-of-Service|title=David Oyedepo Day of Service / Notifications / Homepage / Banner Assemblies / Media – Covenant University|website=covenantuniversity.edu.ng|access-date=18 April 2019|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930084810/https://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/Media/Banner-Assemblies/Homepage/Notifications/David-Oyedepo-Day-of-Service|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Evangelical Christianity|}}
* [http://www.davidoyedepo.com/ David Oyedepo ministries]
* [http://faithtabernacle.org.ng Faith Tabernacle]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oyedepo, David}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Nigerian architects]]
[[Category:20th-century Protestant religious leaders]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian architects]]
[[Category:21st-century Protestant religious leaders]]
[[Category:Founders of Nigerian schools and colleges]]
[[Category:Kwara State University alumni]]
[[Category:Nigerian Christian clergy]]
[[Category:Nigerian Christian writers]]
[[Category:Nigerian Pentecostal pastors]]
[[Category:People from Osogbo]]
[[Category:Prosperity theologians]]
[[Category:University and college founders]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Landmark University]]
[[Category:Covenant University people]]