Founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide and Presiding Bishop of the Faith Tabernacle in Ota Ogun State, Dr David Olaniyi Oyedepo, has clocked a milestone of 70 years as he celebrates his birthday today, 27 September, 2024.
Congratulatory messages and tributes have been pouring in from the high and mighty, young and old all over the world.
The global, David Oyedepo appeals to many individuals in different ways. While some see him as a pastor and shepherd of the church, others see him as the controversial and flamboyant prosperity preacher with an array of automobiles, properties (both domestic and international), and various aircraft. Others consider him a prominent figure in Nigeria's Christian charismatic movement. And for many, Oyedepo is a PhD holder in Human Development from Honolulu University in Hawaii, United States.
Here are things you should know about Bishop David Oyedepo.
The Nigerian preacher was born 27 September 1954 in Oshogbo, Osun State Nigeria, but he is a native of Omu-Aran, Irepodun, Local Government Area of Kwara State. Oyedepo was brought up in a mixed-religious family. While his father, Ibrahim, was a Muslim healer. His mother, Dorcas, was a member of the Holy Order of the Cherubim and Serphim movement Church (C&S). His grandmother trained him in Osogbo and introduced him to the principles of Christian life through early morning prayers, which she attended alongside him. She also taught him the value of tithing.
Education
Oyedepo studied architecture at the Kwara State Polytechnic and also has a PHD in Human Development from Honolulu University, Hawaii, United States.
Family
Oyedepo married Florence Abiola Akano (now known as Faith Oyedepo) in August 1982.. The Union Is blessed with four children; David Jr, Isaac, Love and Joyce. Their Children are all married and excelling in different endeavors. Two of their children are pastors in His church.
Career
Bishop worked briefly with the Federal Ministry of Housing, in Ilorin, Kwara State and later resigned to concentrate fully on missionary work.
Ministry
Oyedepo Said he got born again in 1969, through the influence of his teacher Betty Lasher and later founded the Living Faith Church World Wide (LFCWW) after an 18-hour vision in May 1981. The church was first called Liberation Faith Hour Ministries. Two years later, He was ordained to become pastor including his wife, Faith Abiola Oyedepo by Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
Five years into commissioning, Oyedepo was ordained as Bishop by his life mentor, the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa.
Living Faith started in Kaduna but later moved to Lagos 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
Worth
According to Forbes, Oyedepo is the wealthiest preacher in the world with a net worth of over US$150 million. The church owns four private jets and several buildings, including in London and the US.
Schools/Universities
Bishop Oyedepo has established different schools and colleges including the prestigious Covenant University, Landmark University, Faith Academy and Kingdom Heritage Model Schools, which have been established to equip the youth for global impact.
It is also learnt that the construction of a third university named Crown University is already underway, located in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Canaanland
Bishop In 1998, built a new base for the commission to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers. This resulted in Oyedepo's church's acquisition of the initial 530-acre (2.1 km2) facility, known as Canaanland, which serves as the headquarters. It is the home of the 50,000-seat capacity auditorium, the 'Faith Tabernacle. This was an accomplishment also recorded by the Guinness Book of Records
It was learnt that the Construction was completed within 12 months and that the building was built debt-free.
Publishing
Oyedepo's church has its own publishing business, Dominion Publishing business (DPH), which was established on December 5, 1992.
He is an author and publisher who has written over 70 publications, in addition to periodicals. He serves as chairman or publisher of Dominion Publishing House (DPH), the ministry's publishing arm. DPH currently has over 4 million prints in circulation.
The Ark
The ministry is currently building a 100,000-seater auditorium called the "Ark", which is presumed to be the building with the largest span in the world.
