Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners Chapel International), Dr David Oyedepo, today turns 69 years old.
President Bola Tinubu, in his felicitations message, issued by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, acknowledged the strides of Oyedepo in pursuing personal, intellectual and spiritual development for humanity, while encouraging many to grow through teaching of the Word of Faith with results in expansion of the ministry.
Tinubu affirmed that the words and works of wisdom demonstrated by the visionary gospel leader continue to resonate within and beyond Nigeria, impacting greatly on the economy in the world.
President Tinubu said the lifestyle of the Bishop, reflecting in his teachings on love, peace, prosperity, faith and wisdom, remain exemplary, even as his dedication to building lasting institutions and a God-fearing generation speaks of his unequivocal commitment to God.
Tinubu also applauded the Bishop’s dedication to building lasting institutions and a God-fearing generation speaks of his unequivocal commitment to God.
The President prays that the Almighty God will continue to fortify and multiply His grace on Bishop Oyedepo and his family.
Bishop David Oyedepo’s Profile
David Olaniyi Oyedepo was born on September 27th, 1954 in Osogbo, Osun state. He is an author, architect, preacher, and the founder and presiding bishop of the megachurch Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, and Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel.
Oyedepo became born again on February 19, 1969, when he was only 15 years old, through the influence of his missionary teacher, one Ms. Betty Lasher, who took a special interest in him during his secondary school days. He first shared the gospel in March 1970 and he has not looked back since then. Having rejected a charm his father gave him, he developed whitlow on a finger on his right hand. As a secondary school student, he once challenged God to heal him of tuberculosis after his mates shifted their beds away from him, and he was healed.
Oyedepo began his ministry in 1981 after an 18-hour vision in May 1981 where, according to him, God gave him the mandate to preach the word of faith and liberate the world from the oppression of the devil. This led to the founding and inauguration of the Living Faith Church World Wide (LFCW), first called Liberation Faith Hour Ministries, in 1981.
In 1983, he was ordained, alongside his wife, to become pastors by Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) who also commissioned the new church. In 1986, Oyedepo was ordained as Bishop.
Popularly known as Winners Chapel, the church started in in Kaduna but moved to Lagos in July 1989.
Bishop Oyedepo has written hundred Christian, inspirational and motivational books owing to the fact that the church also operates its own publishing house, called Dominion Publishing House (DPH), commissioned on December 5, 1992,which has also published mini books, magazines, and other resources. DPH has over 4 million prints in circulation to date. He is the Chairman/Publisher of Dominion Publishing House (DPH). Some of his bestselling books include; Pillars of Faith, Born to Win, Possessing your Possession, amongst others. His programme, Shiloh, which is nicknamed the “gathering of millions” because of the crowd always in attendance, is hosted by this beautiful auditorium every year.
Oyedepo’s foundation, The David Oyedepo Foundation, is a Christian non-profit organization that is committed to reaching out on the less privileged across Africa so as to bring about change to the economy of Africa as a continent and the rest of the world. The foundation offers a scholarship program to individuals who are willing to acquire a first degree at the prestigious Covenant University and Landmark University in Nigeria. It covers the full academic fees for a 5-year duration of the study and in some categories, travels and living expenses for the duration of the course of study.
Bishop David Oyedepo is married to Pastor Faith Abiola Oyedepo, formerly Florence Abiola Akano who he met when he was 22 at a motor park. They were married in 1982 and have four children; two boys and two girls; David Jnr., Isaac, Love and Joyce. His sons were ordained as pastors by Kenneth Copeland in May 2007.
Oyedepo is the wealthiest preacher in Nigeria, according to Forbes magazine. Having a net worth of over $150 million, the Bishop is also mentioned as the richest pastor in the world. His ministry owns four private jets and several buildings around the world, including London and the United States. His hobbies include reading, reasoning, planning, and writing. He is a strong critic of corruption in Africa as a whole and poor leadership in government.
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