TheNewsGuru

Tag: Living Faith Church

  • Bishop Abioye begins his own ministry after retiring from Winners Chapel

    Bishop Abioye begins his own ministry after retiring from Winners Chapel

    Bishop David Abioye, a former Vice President of the Living Faith Church, has taken to social media to announce the commencement of Sunday morning services in his own ministry.

    TheNewGuru reports that the clergyman announced his new ministry on Sunday, April 27, 2025, six months after he stepped down from the Living Faith Church.

    Reports indicated that the former right hand man of Bishop David Oyedepo has been holding a non-denominational fellowship ministry every Sunday evening since leaving his former ministry.

    However, during the fellowship on Sunday, he announced that the fellowship would commence Sunday morning worship as well.

    Specifically, Bishop Abioye disclosed that the morning services would commence by May 4, 2025.

    Speaking at the end of an evening fellowship on April 27, Abioye said: “Very important information. From next Sunday by the grace of God, our service is migrating to morning. Hallelujah. And the time is 8am. God bless you mightily in Jesus’ name.”

    He added that his ministry was birthed out of a divine mandate and not personal ambition.

  • Oyedepo shares how he got his first private jet, says not from church offerings

    Oyedepo shares how he got his first private jet, says not from church offerings

    The founder of the Living Faith Church, aka Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo has disclosed how he was able to purchase the church’s aircraft.

    The cleric stated that, contrary to speculations that the aircraft was bought from funds obtained from church offerings, God had miraculously provided the aircraft without any prior planning or prayer.

    Oyedepo while speaking during a recent sermon stressed that the aircraft has been instrumental in facilitating the church’s mission to spread the Gospel throughout Africa.

    He said: “He bought the first aircraft without any prayer, without any idea that the aircraft was coming. He said it, he delivered it nobody had any pressure on his life. There was no pressure on the offering

    “The offering didn’t buy it oo! God bought it. There was person contacted under heaven. No! God said it and I believe it and that settles it.

    “It wasn’t an ambition, it was a unveiled divine agenda. If God asked me David when do you want that aircraft to be bought j would have said “God take it easy, take it easy, we are not near ready. Aircraft?”

    “Okay, let me find out first how much they sell it, he didn’t give us the room to find out. Not the aircraft that would go from here to Ilorin or Ogbomosho, we travel the whole of Africa with the aircraft.”

  • Two prominent pastors quit Oyedepo’s Winners Chapel

    Two prominent pastors quit Oyedepo’s Winners Chapel

    Two prominent Vice Presidents of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishops David Olatunji Abioye and Thomas Aremu, will take their exit from service this October 2024.

    Their retirement is in line with the operational guidelines of the Liberation Commission, also known as the Mandate, which serves as the church’s constitution.

    Bishop Thomas Aremu’s valedictory service will be held at the Living Faith Church, Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Meanwhile, Bishop David Abioye’s farewell ceremony will take place in Durumi, Abuja on Friday, October 18, 2024.

    Bishop David Abioye, who first encountered Bishop David Oyedepo in 1979, has been an integral part of the ministry since its early days.

    He was among the pioneering pastors of the ministry, taking charge of one of the first five branches established in 1987. Abioye’s consecration in 1993 at the Garden of Faith, Barnawa, Kaduna, made him the youngest bishop in the history of a full-fledged church at the age of 32.

    Similarly, Bishop Thomas Aremu, who transitioned from a career in accounting to full-time ministry, has also played an important role in the church’s development.

    Among the seven bishops consecrated in November 1999 at the Garden of Faith, Aremu is the only one who remains in service.

    His faithful service over the years has earned him deep respect within the church.

    This occasion is particularly important, as it represents the first time that Living Faith Church will publicly celebrate the retirement of its pastors.

    According to the revised Mandate, the retirement age, previously set at 60, has now been adjusted to 58.

    While the Founder, Bishop David Oyedepo, retains the privilege of lifelong service, future leaders of the church will be limited to one or two seven-year terms, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.

     

  • Bishop Oyedepo speaks on cornering church funds for personal use

    Bishop Oyedepo speaks on cornering church funds for personal use

    Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel Worldwide, has said that he has never misappropriated church funds.

    The clergyman during his sermon, titled “The Bible: A Most Reliable Guide to Life,” on Sunday highlighted the importance of relying on God’s words to solve life’s problems.

    The Winners chapel leader emphasized how believers can ensure sufficient supplies and receive answers to their needs through faith.

    Oyedepo who disclosed that God is the source of his wealth, stated that his family has never prayed for food supplies.

    He said, “Every sincere question has an answer with Jesus.

    “Who pays me? Suddenly the word came—after these things, He appointed seventy others also, and the laborer is worthy of his wages. So He said to me, ‘You are in my employment; I am responsible. Just stay on duty, the light of life.’ Since then, I have not looked for who pays me until tomorrow and until I go to heaven.”

    He referred to Luke 10:7, displayed on the church’s monitoring screen: “Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.”

    “I have never prayed for what to eat in my family. The light of life, the five loaves, and two fishes were more than enough. I have never cornered church money of one naira to my side, the light of life,” he said.

  • Pastor Oyedepo resigns from Living Faith Church

    Pastor Oyedepo resigns from Living Faith Church

    Isaac, who was recently appointed as the Global Youth Pastor of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, resigned to start up his own ministry.

    He said, “My God-given mandate is to reclaim a generation and to ensure that this generation sees the fire of God-revival in our generation.”

    He and his elder brother, David Jr., were ordained as pastors in May 2007 by Kenneth Copeland.

    He is a graduate of Oral Roberts University and has served as the resident pastor of the Living Faith Church International, Maryland, USA, since October 2018.

    Isaac is married to Ayomitide Oyedepo and their union is blessed with four children.

  • Fact Check: A decade of miscarriage of justice?

    Fact Check: A decade of miscarriage of justice?

    “I lost my wife and mother during my incarceration”

    A recent testimony shared by a Nigerian man, who identified himself as Martins Eze John, has stirred concerns about a possible miscarriage of justice.

    In his account, he narrated a harrowing experience of being wrongfully arrested in 2013, while returning from watching a football match at a viewing center.

    John claimed he was apprehended by the police without clarifying his alleged offense, denying him an audience to explain himself, or allowing him to contact his family.

    He further stated that an officer he identified as ASP Diko took him to court without proper investigation or due process.

    In court, John alleged he was wrongly associated with another individual’s name and accused of being an accomplice to murder and armed robbery.

    Many individuals on social media platforms have commented on John’s claim, highlighting some of the challenges faced in Nigeria where dreams and aspirations can sometimes be stifled by various circumstances. The hashtag ASP Diko has also been trending since Thursday morning.

    How True is this claim?

    Addressing a gathering of Christians at a Living Faith Church in Ologuneru, Ibadan, John shared his experience at the Agodi correctional centre and expressed how he felt compelled to share the gospel with fellow inmates after encountering a pamphlet with a similar life-changing testimony.

    In a fortunate turn of events in 2023, some persons from the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) Ibadan, reexamined the evidence, and eventually demonstrated his innocence, resulting in his release from prison after 10 years.

    Tragically, he recalled: “I lost my wife and mother during my incarceration”.

    However, the Living Faith Church, where John shared his testimony, has released a disclaimer saying that the testimony has been found to be inaccurate and untrue.

    The disclaimer also mentions that John has purportedly shared different testimonies in various churches.

    These allegations of inconsistency in John’s testimony prompted a deeper investigation to assess the credibility of his claims regarding wrongful arrest and imprisonment.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) made efforts to contact the church to seek clarification on the matter and inquire if they were contemplating any legal action against John in light of its findings, but as of the time of reporting, the church had not provided a response.

    Upon further investigation, this newspaper discovered that in April, JDPC Ibadan successfully secured the release of a male ex-inmate who had been accused of armed robbery and had been detained without trial for 7 years.

    When our reporter reached out to the director of JDPC Ibadan Jerome Toname Ajakaiye, he revealed that out of the approximately 1000 inmates in the Agodi correctional centre, 900 were awaiting trial.

    As a result, the Commission considered it their duty to provide representation to individuals who lacked access to legal representation, adding that John’s claims were within the scope of their work.

    However, Ajakaiye also stated, “The church in question reached out to us about a month ago. I have tried to investigate among my team of lawyers if this person was represented in court in recent times, but from our records and the name that he has provided, we don’t have such records of someone we represented in court.”

    When further questioned about whether John’s photograph matched that of any individual they had assisted in securing release for in recent times, Ajakaiye clarified, “We usually don’t take photographs of those we represent, as it’s a way of maintaining confidentiality.”

    Verdict:

    Missing context. While this newspaper acknowledges the challenges faced by inmates in Nigerian correctional facilities, including extended pretrial detentions lack of access to legal representation, it cannot conclusively determine the veracity of John’s claims as there is a lack of concrete evidence to substantiate his allegations.

  • Lawyer charged to court for allegedly defrauding Landmark University

    Lawyer charged to court for allegedly defrauding Landmark University

    Temidayo Eseyin a pastor with the  Living Faith Church also known as Winners Chapel has been arraigned by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Wednesday for allegedly defrauding Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, to the tune of N19.3 million.

    Eseyin, a lawyer and former member of the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch, was docked on a four-count bordering on dishonest misappropriation of funds belonging to the University before Justice Funsho Lawal of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.

    It was gathered that Eseyin during his time as the counsel/attorney to Landmark University was granted access to the institution’s properties, title documents and funds.

    However, it was discovered that Eseyin was allegedly  “cheating, defrauding, misappropriating and shortchanging his client to her utmost dismay”.

    Specifically in one of his alleged atrocities, the defendant, between 2014 and 2022 managed a property known as “Old Midland Building” belonging to Landmark University, situated along Emir’s/Obbo Road, Ilorin, which rents Eseyin collected for 8 years and could not produce when asked.

    The petitioner also alleged that Eseyin attempted to sell the property without instructions from the university, hence, the petition to the EFCC.

    Count three of the charge reads, “That you, Temidayo Eseyin sometime in the year 2021, in Ilorin Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court dishonestly misappropriated the sum of Six Million, Sixty Four Thousand Naira Only (6, 064,000) representing payment of rent on property known as Old Midland Building belonging to Landmark University and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Law and Punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.”

  • Oborevwori’s birthday bash and shape of things to come in Delta

    Oborevwori’s birthday bash and shape of things to come in Delta

    The large auditorium hall of the Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel in Asaba was filled to capacity. People from all walks of life came in their droves, decked in colourful attires in their shapes and sizes.
    Ibusa Road from the new roundabout was blocked to traffic with overflow of exotic SUVs, sirens blasting and security operatives doing their jobs to ensure that the event of the day went well without hitches.
    And at exactly 10am on Monday, June 19, the Twin thanksgiving service; successful Inauguration and 60th birthday celebration of governor Oborevwori commenced.
    The only bible reading was taken by the birthday boy, Chief celebrant and His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Delta State, Elder Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, decked in light green silk traditional attire with Okpe flavour, signifying his background as an illustrious son of Urhobo nation.
    The State Pastor of The Living Faith Church, Pastor Triumphant Obamah dwelled on the spiritual benefits of “Thanksgiving” as enshrined in the holy book. He cited several verses in the bible, pointing to show that “thanksgiving” is to appreciate God’s favour which provokes new multifaceted open doors for greatness in life.
    The clergy urged governor Oborevwori to continue to hold on to God, ask Him for wisdom and direction, and govern the state with the fear of God. He assured that Oborevwori’s tenure signified a new dawn and glory for Delta State.
    pastor Obamah urged Deltans to pray and support him as he settles down to implement his electioneering campaigns promises encapsulated in the M.O.R.E agenda; Meaningful Development, Opportunity for all Deltans, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security.
    The immediate past governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, CON, and his jewel of inestimable value, Dame Edith Okowa, as well as the former governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduanghan and his amiable wife, Roli Uduaghan, were in attendance to give the needed support to the Chief celebrant, the Ukodo of Okpe Kingdom.
    Governors of Edo, Bayelsa, Oyo and others were ably represented by either their Deputies or House Speaker. Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme and his wife, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor and his wife, federal lawmakers, the State Chief Judge, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Arthur Akpowowo Esq and his wife, Former House Leader, Hon Ferguson Onwo and Members of the State House of Assembly, State Party Chairman, Okakuro Kingsley Esiso, Secretary to Delta State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, Chief of Staff, Prince Erijo, Senior Political Adviser to the Governor, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Senator Ighoyota Amori, Chsirman of DESOPADEC, Chief John Nani Esq, and several dignitaries were in attendance at the Thanksgiving Service.
    Celebrant Oborevwori and guests danced uncontrollably in appreciation to God Almighty for his 60th birthday anniversary and successful Inauguration as governor on May 29. It was indeed a superlative worship and praise service that brought together the high and the mighty in Delta State politics across board.
    At exactly 2pm, the celebration shifted to the State Event Centre, off Okpanam Road, where guests and aristocratic dignitaries were treated to another round of superlative entertainment, music and dance.
    Ace Comedian, I GO DIE, cracked the ribs of the celebrant and guests. He was on top of his game, what a great display of talent. Indeed, I go die, is the best.
    The governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo was in attendance. Celebrant Oborevwori was now decked in black customized jacket, looking smart and radiant. Delta First Lady, Deaconess Mrs Tobore Oborevwori stole the show in her English dinner wear. It was astonishingly superlative.
    Immediate past governor of Delta State, Senator Okowa, went back into memory lane, traced his first encounter with Oborevwori to two decades ago. He described him as a reliable, dependable and trustworthy individual who is never desperate for and over anything.
    Okowa posited that for the six years Oborevwori held served the State and people as Speaker, he was not founding wanting, led with great vision and foresight, was incorruptible, humble, tactful and responsible. He thanked God for his life and family and assured that with Oborevwori in the saddle Delta is in safe hands.
    Former governor Uduaghan, who was Oborevwori’s employer when he was governor from 2007 to 2015, said the incumbent governor of Delta State is a man of honour, humble and forward looking but never desperate and not overzealous, no matter the circumstances.
    Uduaghan, known to be very blunt and practical, said he was led by God, not man, to support the governorship ambition of the celebrant, even though some political gladiators pressurized him to abandon Oborevwori, but he kept listening to the Holy Spirit, and eventually things went well for governor Oborevwori.
    He urged the incumbent governor to be prayerful, listen to the yearnings and aspirations of the people, and to “take good care of your Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme,” Uduaghan added.
    Governor Soludo, said Delta and Anambra are the closest neighbours, meaning that both states must of a necessity look inward, partner in socioeconomic spheres and benefit from each other economically. He expressed satisfaction over positive comments about governor Oborevwori and declared his intension to sustain mutual relationship in the years ahead.
    Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shuaibu, deliver the goodwill message from Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, while Bayelsa Deputy Governor, delivered the congratulatory message from governor Duaye Diri of Bayless State.
    Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde was ably represented by the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly. They spoke glowingly of celebrant Oborevwori and pray God to grant him wisdom, good health and resources to advance and develop Delta State.
    Oborevwori, while speaking at the Event Centre, assured Deltans that “being governor will not affect my grassroots connections with Deltans”, pointing to show that he would have to maintain his street credibility as an excessive local content Governor.
    He assured that political appointments will soon hit the airwaves as part of his deliberate efforts to constitute the State Executive Council, and assemble his core team for the smooth take off of M.O.RE agenda implementation.
    Governor Oborevwori thanked the immediate past governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa CON, for the enviable roles he played to ensure that power shifted to Delta Central, and his subsequent victory at the polls. Most especially, he gave all the Glory to God, and also thanked former governor Uduaghan, for supporting him all the way through in the midst of multifaceted stiff opposition that was divinely neutralized and nullified by the Right Hand of God, that doeth valiant.
    He thanked all party faithfuls and Deltans irrespective of political affiliation, for attending and celebrating his silver jubilee birthday and successful Inauguration as governor.
    It is hoped that the governor will soon settle down to perform his duties and responsibilities assigned to him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as governor for all Deltans, irrespective of political divide.
    The Thanksgiving Service at The Living Faith Church was anchored by Ace master of Stste Ceremony, Pastor Powell Tos, while his able colleague and Mr Bsritone Voice, Sammie Fejuku took charge of the Grand Reception event.
    Once again, congratulations Your Excellency!
    By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq
  • “How my husband’s statement stopped my ‘miscarriage”- Faith Oyedepo

    “How my husband’s statement stopped my ‘miscarriage”- Faith Oyedepo

    Faith, the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, has recounted how her pregnancy was sustained by her husband’s “bold faith”.

    In a series of posts on her Twitter page, the wife of the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide recalled how she saw blood flowing from her nearly four decades ago when she was pregnant with their first son.

    Faith said she told her husband that she “had a miscarriage”.

    She said the cleric boldly told her that “you can’t have a miscarriage” before asking to be served his meal.

    Faith said her husband’s statement “activated the spirit of faith and the pregnancy was sustained.”

    She also urged Christians to ensure their faith in God is very strong to enjoy miracles on daily basis.

    “I remember when I was pregnant with our first son, one day I saw blood flowing from me,” she wrote.

    “When my husband returned home, I told him that I had a miscarriage. Boldly, and without any hesitation, he said, “You can’t have a miscarriage!”, and then asked to be served his meal.”

    "How my husband's statement stopped my ‘miscarriage"- Faith Oyedepo

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Faith is currently the Vice President (Education) of the Living Faith Church Worldwide and the Vice Chancellor of Convenant University.

    She has, in her own way, managed to help her husband develop his ministry. Her contributed efforts in the works of God has made her do what seems impossible for a woman.

    Before her marriage in 1982, she was initially known as Miss. Florence Abiola Akano.

    She is the Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria. She joined the ministry after her graduation from University.

  • Oyedepo warns Nigerian youths seeking greener pastures abroad

    Oyedepo warns Nigerian youths seeking greener pastures abroad

    Winners Chapel founder, Bishop David Oyedepo has advised Youths in the country to desist from running abroad to seek greener pastures.

    The process of travelling abroad to seek greener pastures is known as Japa Syndrome.

    The cleric made his opinion known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.

    Oyedepo advised the government to massively invest in citizens to restore the lost esteem of the country.

    The chancellor said human capital development remains the most viable and stable stock of any nation.

    Oyedepo advised the Nigerian government to invest in human development, saying it’s the bedrock of sustainable national development.

    Oyedepo pointed out that an enabling environment for youths would reduce the number of those leaving Nigeria.

    Oyedepo warned Nigerian youths to be wary of getting of happenings and not to get stranded in foreign land as it’s now a common thing.

    He added that many persons are stranded abroad but find it difficult to return home.

    “Parents need to reorientate their children. We all need to stay in Nigeria to rebuild.

    “Everyone has a part to play in the recovery of his nation”, the preacher added.

    He however, advised that everyone should put all hands on deck to ensure the country becomes a good place for all and sundry.