They shook nations
and changed history.They touched lives and built great churches. Their
influence for Christ are felt among us. And they are doing it all with words —
words from God, words anointed by the Holy Spirit.
Others started their congregations from scratch. And a few
have broken the glass ceiling in their respective denominations. Whatever their
accomplishments, these 60 Christian ministers are at the top of their field.
Divinely gifted in many ways, they are Nigeria’s best and most sought-after
preachers in the task of saving souls and fighting demonic forces. These are in
no particular order.
In Nigeria today, there are more than 60 of such powerful
pastors in whose areas of specialty are miracles, prophecy, healing, teaching,
preaching, marriage counselling and are attracting people with such problems.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of The Redeemed
Christian Church of God. Humble, the mathematician-turned preacher has impacted
on the lives of millions of Nigerians with his monthly Holy Ghost Night
programme.
On every first Friday of the month, all roads virtually lead
to the “Redeem Camp” at Kilometre 46, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, venue of the
crusade. The programme attracts thousands of miracle seekers every month. And
they come from as far as Kaduna , Benue , Ilorin , Ibadan , Lagos and Port
Harcourt .
The RCCG is one of the fastest growing churches in Nigeria
with branches all over the 36 states of the federation and across Africa,
Europe, Middle east and the United States. In Lagos alone, nearly every street
has a branch or fellowship centre of the church. It has been said that this is
in line with Adeboye’s vision to spread the gospel.
Bishop David Oyedepo, general overseer of Living Faith
Ministries aka Winners Chapel has grown to become an oak tree in Christendom.
His 50,000 capacity worship centre known as Cannanland in Otta, Ogun State ,
has attracted Christian worshippers from within and outside the country.
Oyedepo’s motivational, faith-building teachings have also
endeared him to many. Living faith International has gone beyond a Christian
ministry, the Canaan land in Otta Ogun state has been expanded over the years
and now contains a primary school – Kingdom heritage model school, the faith
academy secondary school, and fully equipped university that has over 7,000
students enrolled in all its courses.
Today, the church is said to exist in every state of Nigeria
and in other African countries. Oyedepo has more than 200 books published by
his Dominion Publishing House to complement his soul- winning efforts.
Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo has been the Senior Pastor of KICC
since 1992. He has a dynamic gifting to combine his calling as a Pastor and
teacher, with the roles of mentor, businessman and spiritual father.
During more than 30 years in the ministry, Pastor Matthew
has given countless people the spiritual and practical foundation on which to
successfully build their lives. An inspiring visionary, Pastor Matthew launched
the UK’s first church-owned television channel, KICC TV, and his television and
radio ministry Winning Ways is a source of inspiration and deliverance for the
millions it reaches across the globe.
As an award-winning and prolific author, Pastor Matthew has
published more than 90 books, including “The Power of Positive Prayer Bible”
and the pioneering ‘What’s Wrong with Being Black?’ – a book hailed for
‘reaching the parts community campaigners cannot reach’. Pastor Matthew
constantly challenges believers to become the best they can be.
Honoured several times as the most influential black person
in the public sector/religion category in the Power List, Pastor Matthew’s
influence on church growth and evangelism has been noted by local and
international news media. A successful businessman, he is recognized as one of
the most exciting and inspiring Christian voices on the world scene today.
His influence on church growth and evangelism has guaranteed
countless requests for his comments by a variety of mainstream media including
BBC TV and Radio, Sky News, The Times and Guardian broadsheet newspapers, as
well as a broad spectrum of Christian and faith-based publications.
As a respected leader, Pastor Matthew sits on the Board of
Reference for God TV and is considered a Christian thought leader, Biblical
scholar and media commentator on a variety of issues that have left indelible
marks on modern society.
Pastor Chris Okotie, founder of Household of God, Oregun,
Lagos , is another firebrand preacher that often sends his audience into
ecstasies. He is also known for televangelism but with a bias for preaching the
end times which he titles The Apocalypses. In his messages, Okotie reveals a
knowledge of the book of revelations beyond the ordinary.
Fondly called “Grace teacher” by the multitude of his
followers, Okotie’s teaching tend to evoke reactions more than edifying his
listeners.
Pastor Tunde Bakare, pastor of Latter Rain Assembly, Ogba,
Lagos is in a class of his own when it comes to political predictions. In the
course of such predictions, Bakare in the past has on one or two occasions
invited the wrath of the government. In particular, the prophecy on “Hundred
Days and Hundred Ways ” rattled the government so much that he was arrested and
interrogated by the State Security Service in 2002.
Beyond his predictions on national issues, Bakare is one
preacher who has inspired and motivated so many. He features regularly on radio
and television to share his knowledge of the scriptures.
Every church has its own history.
Pastor Paul Adefarasin‘s House on the Rock deserves a
mention. Born with a silver spoon, Adefarasin squandered his life away on drugs
in the United States until he saw the light in 1994.
From the living room of his mother in Lagos, he set up a
church that blossomed over the last seven years to 7,000 worshippers at its
present headquarters. This is in addition to over 40 other branches both within
and outside the country. His convened annual Gospel music concert is now a
revered event with Gospel music heavyweights annually making it a date.
Eloquent and charismatic, Aderafasin is one of the favourite
televangelists. Through his “Something Is About to Happen” television
programme, he has been able to touch the lives of many weary souls in many
ways. Many find his turn-around from his previous drug addicted lifestyle as a
great challenge in their own lives. He hosts the weekly television religious
program, Something Is About to Happen!, which is broadcast throughout Africa
and Europe. Adefarasin is also the head of the House on the Rock churches
headquartered in Lagos and the host of The Experience Lagos music and worship
concert.
But long before the emergence of the likes of
Adefarasin,
Rev Gabriel Oduyemi, founder of Bethel Ministries made waves
with his “Miracle Night” television programme in the mid-90s.
The midnight programme which caught the attention of
millions of Nigerians then featured worshippers waving handkerchiefs above
their heads on instruction to realise their miracles of becoming millionaires.
For millions of Nigerians who are constantly looking for miracles, signs and
wonders, Oduyemi was God-sent then.
A firm believer in financial prosperity, Oduyemi encouraged
most of the miracle seekers to donate generously to his church because “God
loves a cheerful giver.” Today, Oduyemi, who is now less visible has changed
the name of the church to Bethel Worship Incorporated.
William Kumuyi, general overseer of Deeper Life Christian
Ministry has also changed the lives of many by teaching members to live a
Christ-like life and praying ceaselessly. The church is also strong in-house
fellowship programmes as a way of encouraging spiritual growth. It views
television programmes as too worldly and as tools of distraction. The thrust of
the church is an emphasis on righteousness and holiness.
Bishop Francis Wale Oke, founder of Christ Life Church is
another powerful preacher. He had carried his crusade to even states that are
sharia-based. He said he had taken his missionary exploits to 49 countries
including the Soviet Union where Christianity was intolerable. Oke is the
bishop and founder of Christ Life Church, aka Sword of Spirit Ministries
Founder of the World of Life Bible Church at Warri,
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor is another protege of the late Benson
Idahosa. Described as flamboyant and a forceful preacher, former president of
Christian Association of Nigeria, Oritsejafor is gifted with teaching the word.
His fearless style of preaching has earned him several invitations to several
countries including Germany , Great Britain , America and France , among
others.
In confirmation to his winning souls for Christ, the church
today boasts of thousands members.
Mountain of Fire and Miracles is another big ministry in
Nigeria. Founded by
Daniel Kayode
Olukoya, the church had gone a step further to establish a “Prayer City ” along
the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Olukoya has been able to pull a large crowd of worshipers
because of his power ineffective prayers and spiritual warfare. He has
inculcated in the minds of the worshippers that there is a demon or two to
fight in every human problem on earth. To this end, he has de-emphasised the
dependence on pastors by worshippers in preference for a “do-it-yourself-prayer
sessions.”
The name Chris Oyakhilome also known as Pastor Chris,
founding president of Believers’ Loveworld Incorporated, also known as Christ
Embassy, a Bible-based Christian ministry headquartered in Lagos., is almost
synonymous with miracles. He is widely known for his Atmosphere for Miracles, a
television serial which advertises the numerous miracles performed by him. The
programme is a hit on many state and private television stations all over the
country. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, is known for his philanthropic works, which
include aiding the poor, the sick, and the dispossessed, both materially and
spiritually. Over a ministry career spanning more than 30 years, he has raised
men and women from poverty, healed the sick, and provided a message of hope
which has been broadcast to every nation in the world.Pastor Chris’s Inner City
Mission Project declares that “every child is your child”; this project saves
and assists orphaned and indigent children in inner cities across the globe
Future Africa Leaders Award is a initiative of Pastor
ChrisOyakhilome PhD, DSc, DD to explore, educate, mentor, highlight and empower
intelligent and genuine Leadership Potentials deposite in the lives of young
Africans.
Another man of God who has continued to hold sway in the
miracle arena is Temitope Balogun Joshua commonly referred to as TB Joshua, a
televangelist and philanthropist. He is the leader and founder of The
Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a Christian organisation that runs
the Emmanuel TV, television station from Lagos.
Joshua is known for his popularity across Africa and his
online presence with 2,500,000 fans on Facebook and nearly 500,000 YouTube
subscribers. Described as the “Oprah of evangelism” and “YouTube’s most popular
Pastor”,Emmanuel TV is Africa’s largest Christian television network and the
most subscribed Christian ministry channel on YouTube with videos amassing more
than 300 million views.
He has been awarded various accolades, notably receiving the
Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the Nigerian government
in 2008 and being voted the Yoruba man of the decade by Pan-Yoruba media outlet
Irohin-Odua. He has been called one of Africa’s 50 most influential people by
Pan-African magazines The Africa Report and New African Magazine.
Samuel Abiara, founder, Agbala Itura World-Wide, a faction
of Christ Apostolic Church is known for his healing services, evangelism and
prophecies. Abiara told Newswatch that he is not a miracle worker but said God
has used him to perform miracles. “The blind see, barren women conceive and
bear healthy children, among others that God has used us to perform in the name
of Jesus, “he said. The church headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State , is capable
of seating 5,000 worshippers at each service . Abiara enjoys the perks of his
ministry. “Our God is God of prosperity and wealth. Nobody that does the will
of God would lack anything,” he said.
In the last 30 years, Tunde Joda, pastor of Christ Chapel,
Lagos has consistently engaged members of his congregation every December in
fasting. An astute preacher who always sermonizes the need for exemplary
political leadership among lawless leaders in the country believes that it is
the only way to create sanity in the country. “I want to effect a change. It
must begin with the leaders. Lawlessness is a spirit. It started from the top.
When leaders are lawless, it affects everybody,” Joda said.It has been the
centre of his sermons and he therefore, concentrates more on fasting and
prayers. He is a medical doctor-turned preacher.
Several pastors from different denominations have invited
Ukpai to be part of their programmes but he could only honour a few. Others
have used Ukpai’s photograph in their handbills to sell their programmes and it
has worked miraculously.
He is also known for his trendy dressing. Osagie preaches
holiness to fight against social injustice. He is also a gifted teacher in
scriptural matters. He is so miffed by the political situation in the country
that he has suggested the church should lead a revolution that would usher in a
better society.
Rev. O. Ezekiel, the general overseer of Christian
Pentecostal Mission, CPM, Ajao Estate, Lagos , one of the fastest growing
churches in Nigeria is a powerful man of God. With branches all over Nigeria ,
CPM lays much emphasis on prayer and personal consecration. Rev Ezekiel has
preached the gospel of Christ for about 30 years with record of miracles, signs
and wonders following his ministry. He is a man of integrity and is loved by
the people because of his honesty. He is one of the founding fathers of
Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and has written several books among
which are: mountain top experiences, rubbish, business reflections, causes of
closed heaven, cloud of latter rain.
In the same category is Felix Omobude, the founder of New
Covenant Ministry based in Benin . A protege of the late prosperity preacher,
Benson Idahosa, Omobude stands out as one of the present day popular
pentecostal pastors and a strong advocate of exemplary leadership even among
the men of God.
A pastor to the core, Bishop Adejumo is noted for his
peculiar love in encouraging people to be their best in life; he believes
nothing is impossible. His soft spoken nature has endeared many to him and the
wisdom he portrays in his teachings and conversations has made him a man of
known repute. Papa, as he is fondly called, has a great burden for leadership
and fires from all cylinders when talking to leaders and about leadership.
Prince David Zilly-Aggrey, pastor of the Royal House of
Grace, Port Harcourt has become a household name in the south-south zone of the
country because of his popular television programme known as the Prophetic
Watch.
His teachings have won a lot of souls to Christendom. The
Bayelsa-born pastor believes that “you need superior information to cause a
change in somebody.” The strength of his church is more than 5,000 and members
of his church believe that although he does not advertise miracles, God is
using him to bring prosperity to many people in this period of hardship.
For Margaret Idahosa, the presiding bishop of Church of God
Mission International , her strength could be best appreciated in her
effectively managing more than 3,000 branches of the church worldwide. Added to
this was the extra burden of overseeing the numerous investments on the
education of her late husband, Archbishop Benson Idahosa.
Over the years, Margaret had worked tirelessly to perpetuate
the legacies left behind by her husband. “His greatest desire is for us to
continue where he left off… we must not allow the work to die,” she told
Newswatch.
Another powerful miracle worker, Samson Ayorinde, a prophet
of the World Evangelism Bible Church , Ogudu, is said to have a special
anointing on the problem of barrenness. He is known as “barrenness bulldozer.”
Ayorinde has drawn wide membership within a short period of his ministry.
From testimonies and through telephone calls in his Samson
Ayorinde Live TV programme, some have testified that they have received
miracles from Ayorinde by just placing a glass of water in front of the TV set
as instructed.
As a miracle worker in high demand, Ayorinde has moved to
the Lagos State Television premises where he now conducts night vigils. Women
in search of the fruits of the womb have continued to flock his miracle
programmes. So are the unemployed, students and a host of miracle seekers.
In July 1997, the church relocated to a larger plot of land
on Birabi Street in G.R.A. Phase 1, Port Harcourt. As of 2017, Salvation
Ministries averages about 50,000 attendees every Sunday at its headquarters.
The church also has numerous branches all over Nigeria and the U.S.
Sam Amaga, founder of the Foundation Faith Chapel
Incorporated preaches prosperity like many of his peers. That is not unexpected
from a man ordained as bishop by late Benson Idahosa. Amaga commands large
followership from his miracle exploits. He has healed and delivered many from
endless problems that confront the man. Amaga is also popular with his
televangelism programmes. His book, How to Be an Achiever, is a Christian best
seller.
Samuel Adeyemi is the Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian
Centre, a fast growing, life changing church committed to “raising role models”
based in Lagos. He is also the President of Success Power International, an NGO
that among others things specializes in organizing financial, leadership and
motivational seminars and is President of Daystar Leadership Academy, a
leadership school for business owners and ministers of the Gospel.
He is a dynamic Pastor, Teacher and Motivational speaker and
host of the popular programme – SUCCESS POWER – which airs on radio and
television stations within and outside Nigeria.
He has authored several books including the best selling –
Parable Of Dollars and Success Is Who You Are. Others include Ideas Rule the
World, Start With What You Have, Second Revolution, Multiply Your Success: LEAD
and his latest additions, Nigeria Of My Dreams, Generation Z+ and We Are The Government.
Rev George Olawale Adegboye is an Apostle of the New
Testament, with a commission to “Take the Word to the nations of the World,
emphasizing its integrity.
He is the President of the Ever Increasing Word Ministries,
also known as Rhema Chapel International Churches, with many branches
worldwide. He is also the President of the Word of Victory Bible Training
Institute and the Young Ministers Teaching School, which are the training arm
of the ministry. He teaches the word extensively with a simplistic practical
prophetic insight. He is in great demand all over the world across
denominations and independent churches for conventions, seminars and
outreaches.
He has being instrumental in helping to birth, father,
mentor, train, adjust, repair, place, encourage, motivate and send forth
several fit and capable ministers into the harvest fields of the earth. He has
been used to impart and transform many young men and women into flaming fire
brand ministers of the Gospel in several nations of the world. His ministry
resource materials are always in great demand.
Revival Assembly is a very big church with a capacity of
more than 3,000 worshippers at a time. Its worshippers show taste, class and
style. The church attracts large membership from the upper class of the
society, which explains the fleet of posh cars parked on the church premises on
worship days.
Apostle Suleman Johnson is the President and General
Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, a church with headquarters in
Auchi, Nigeria. Everything about The president about Johnson Suleman is very
strange and different from the normal. His birth is nothing like you have ever
seen before. His kind are very few and rear , the way he performs miracle will
shock you to your bones and it will look like a comedy show to you perhaps you
might even make a joke out of it .
Dr. Abel Damina is the Senior Pastor of Power City
International, a multifaceted, multicultural, and multinational Gospel Centre
where thousands meet weekly to worship God. He is also President of
International Covenant Ministers Association (ICMA), a body that provides
covering and ministerial resources for Ministers of the Gospel globally.
Dr. Abel Damina hosts the TV program Righteous Invasion of
Truth (R.I.O.T.) on KLN (Africa) and KICC TV (Europe) through which millions
are being transformed across the world. He travels around the globe preaching
the Gospel of Jesus Christ with demonstration of power.
He is a prolific writer and author of several books which
includes: The Priesthood of Jesus, The Gospel-Reign of Life and Immortality,
Grace the Struggle-free Zone, God in a Man, Higher Life-Redeemed to Reign in
Life, The God Class among others.
Pastor Poju Oyemade is the Senior Pastor of Covenant
Christian Centre, Lagos. Like David Ibiyeomie, he was ordained into ministry by
Bishop David Oyedepo, the presiding bishop of Living Faith Ministries Worldwide
(a.k.a Winner’s Chapel).
Pastor ‘Poju is a teacher of the Word of faith with insight
into how believers can apply biblical principles in a pragmatic and practical
way in their daily lives.
This dynamic pastor hosts regular Faith Seminars, Singles’
Summits,Annual Conference “WAFBEC”, Financial and Business Seminars where
believers are taught the undiluted Word and how it can be applied directly in
their situations to produce results, God’s way.
The Platform Nigeria – Worker’s Fair and National
Development Fair are also outreaches of his ministry where prominent business
men and women (that are believers) share how they thrive in their industries
using and applying principles founded in the Bible.
He is also the host of the regular television programme
‘Insights for Living’ that airs on;
The founder of Zion Heritage and Miracle Ministries, Bishop
Okwudili Eze is a seasoned Prophet with an unusual accuracy in the prophetic.
Having followed him over the years in the prophetic and his yearly prophecies
to the nations, I must say and attest He is one of the genuine voices in the
Nations which we must look out for and listen to. He is incredibly anointed in
the prophetic and is the President of ISOSPAL – An International School of
Seers, Pastors and Leaders where he is raising Fresh Apostolic and Prophetic
voices with unusual anointing and gifts for signs and wonders.
His ministry has continued to grow from strength to strength
because of people’s belief in his spiritual power to unlock the mountain of
achievements which are latent and imprisoned in their individual systems.
Rev. Dr. Joshua Talena, founder of Shepherd’s House Assembly
International aka Agape House Assembly who is a dynamic leader with a unique
call from God to reach this generation with God’s transforming power with the
vision to reach the unreached and build the reached. His ministry is
accompanied with miracles, signs, wonders and prophecies. He has written
several books, and is the host of a household television program called “The
Shepherd’s Touch”. He is a regular speaker at Christian Conferences, Seminars
and Crusades within and outside the country. His preaching and messages
communicate life, deliverance, total restoration, prosperity, healing and
manifestation of the miraculous.
Nicholas Eze, the founder and general overseer of Christ for
the World Mission Incorporated with headquarters in Calabar, is another
pragmatic preacher. Eze founded the church in the late 1970s with the main
objective of reaching the younger generation with the gospel. Over the years,
the Abasi Obori, Calabar headquarters of the church is being besieged by
miracle seekers and people who seek deliverance from powers of darkness. Christ
for the World Mission has now spread to many villages and cities in eastern
Nigeria. Eze is basically a holiness preacher and Bible teacher.
Idem Ikon, the founder of Revival Valley Ministries with
headquarters in Calabar, was an undergraduate of the University of Ife before
he quit school to start preaching. He has been very popular among university
students and young people who have been largely reached by his work. Ikon is a
respected guest speaker and has featured in many international conferences
across Africa
Alexander Ekewuba, the founder of Overcomers Christian
Mission, Owerri, is another powerful man of God in Nigeria. Ekewuba is known
for his miracles and demolition of demon-infested institutions in and around
Owerri.
The most prominent were the notorious Owerre Ebeiri
traditional institution that thrives on the killing of human beings at the
event of the death of the Eze and the installation of a new one. It was Ekewuba
and his pastors that demystified the barbaric culture at the invitation of
Chidi Uzomah, a lecturer at the Imo State University, Owerri and the
heir-apparent. He, in fact, liberated the community from the demonic bondage
which had existed for years.
Pastor Patrick Anwuzia of Zoe Ministries is noted for his
no-holds-barred prosperity preaching. He heads the Zoe ministry spread across
Nigerian cities and some other foreign countries. He describes himself as a
strategic preacher of practical Christianity.
Evangelist Helen Ukpabio, the founder of Liberty Gospel
Church, is another female minister of the gospel. She has carved a niche for
herself at evangelising through filmmaking than in physically preaching the
word. As an actress, it was easy for her to use her acting to send out
inspirational messages to her growing audience. – Films such as From Grass to
Grace, The Price, Power to Bind and Wasted Years, are a soap box for believers.
Originally a member of the Olumba Olumba fraternity, Ukpabio has published two
books against the sect: “The Seat of Satan Exposed” and Unveiling the Mysteries
of Witchcraft. Barely four years old in her new-found ministry, has Ukpabio
established 18 other branches in the country.
Apostle Agboli is a speaker that often goes to preach in the
different parts of the world. He is very charismatic and is full of energy
which passes on to the people listening to his sermons. He has many years of
experience of preaching given that he is teaching many people coming from
different background
With over 15 years in ministry, Joseph Agboli is a leading
voice in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ that God wants us to lead and
succeed in every area of living across the globe through his resources such as
television, radio broadcast, publications , seminar and books. A highly sought
after conference speaker, Agboli has impacted millions of people around the
world.
Bishop Tom Samson is the general overseer of Christ Royal
Family Churches (an 100 acres city) with international headquarters Royal City,
Ota and branches in Lagos (Egbeda, Ikeja, Festac, Ojokoro, Ikorodu) Abuja, Port
Harcourt, London (U.K). The church which began as a fellowship in the year 1986
by Bishop Dr. Tom Samson as a year one student in the then Bendel State
University, Ekpoma, Edo State. It later transformed into a Church in December,
1991, with five members and in a rented apartment.
Pastor Ituah Ighodalo is the founder of Trinity House, a
non-denominational, free flow worship center powered with a vision to build
leaders, professionals, and leaders to be.
The church has its vision “Changing Lives, Fulfilling
Destines, and Transforming Nations”, and its mission is “To build a people of
change, influence, and impact; For people to take their various leadership
roles and fulfill their purpose on earth; To make the world a better place
where everyone can fit in; And to bring the impact of Christianity beyond
Christians and the church into the larger society”.
Pastor Ituah gave his life to Christ in 1993 and was
ordained pastor in 1995 by The Redeemed Christian Church of God. He has worked
as Associate Pastor of Freedom Hall, (later renamed Hope Hall) as well as the
City of David Parishes of R.C.C.G. and has been involved in international
missions, helping to pioneer several Redeemed Christian Church of God parishes
abroad. He was the Parish Pastor of RCCG Christ Church for 10years before
moving out to start the Trinity house church.
Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters International Christian
Centre, a Pentecostal church founded in December 2003, has proving that with
faith, determination, focus and the right team, anything is possible, what
started with just a roomful of people has grown to be the most desirable place
of worship in Lagos, with worship centres on the mainland and island, drawing
in thousands of people at 5 amazing services.
Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin Burutu is the founder and head
Prophet of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry (CMDM), Warri, Delta State,
Nigeria. He founded the church on 3 April 2010.
Before setting up his church, he was a member with Mountain
of Fire and Miracles Ministries. His church, Christ Mercyland Deliverance
Ministry, which began as a morning devotional worship centre in 2010, has over
fifteen thousand members and is still growing
Chris Okafor, popularly referred to as The Oracle, is a
Christian minister, televangelist and faith healer with particular emphasis on
dealing with supposed foundations and altars. He is leader and founder of
Mountain Of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, also known as Liberation City.
When it comes to impacting human lives, besides his primary
spiritual assignment, Okafor is a giver, providing succor and empowering the
underprivileged with skills acquisition, scholarship via The Chris Okafor
Humanity Foundation. He has received numerous recognitions, notably The Most
accurate Seer of the Year.
Okafor is widely travelled and known across Africa and
beyond by the vehicle of his mandate, Chris Okafor World Outreach Ministry
(COWOM), which has taken the message of liberation to countless homes in
crusades and via the Liberation TV.
Prophet Emmanuel Omale is the General overseer of Divine
Hand of God Prophetic Ministries worldwide with headquarters in Garki Area 1,
Abuja. Obeying the Divine call, Prophet Emmanuel Omale started a ministry that
he prophetically called “Hand of God Ministry”. The ministry which started very
small with few members has today grown beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Joshua Iginla is the leader and founder of Champions Royal
Assembly. A Christian organisation located in Kubwa-Abuja. A televangelist and
philanthropist, known for given out fleet of cars to actors and celebrities,
credited with accurately predicting the defeat of Governor Kayode Fayemi of
Ekiti state and the victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state
Taiwo Odukoya is a Nigerian Pentecostal pastor, public
speaker and author. He is the senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church,
Ilupeju, Lagos, Nigeria, a Church with a membership strength of over 8,000 people
Prior to his call to the ministry in 1994, Odukoya worked for 12 years as a
petroleum engineer with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
In 2006, Taiwo Odukoya was voted one of the 12 most
inspiring leaders in Nigeria in a survey conducted by Leadership &
Lifestyle (a London-based magazine).
Odukoya proclaims a firm belief in the role of the church in
the community and expresses it through several outreach projects including a
hospital, an orphanage, a school for destitute children, a farm, a water
project which provides boreholes at strategic locations for people who have no
access to clean and portable water and a skill acquisition and entrepreneurial
institute for the less privileged On April 19, 1997, Taiwo Odukoya set up
Discovery for Men and Discovery for Women, non-denominational outreaches to men
and women designed to help them maximize their God-given potentials. These
outreaches reach out to hundreds of thousands of men and women annually through
quarterly rallies, mentorship programs] and a vocational center to equip them
with technical and practical life skills.
In March 2014 he was named by Evan Carmichael as one of the
Top 100 Leadership Experts to Follow on Twitter.
Godman Akinlabi is the lead pastor of The Elevation Church,
Nigeria.
Godman Akinlabi started his pastoral ministry at Daystar
Christian Centre, where he served in different capacities over a period of
twelve (12) years. At Daystar Christian Centre, he held various pastoral
positions, which included ushering pastor, teacher, preacher and Director of
Pastoral Care. He serves on the faculty of Daystar Leadership Academy (DLA),
where he facilitates Leadership Development courses.
On 28th December, 2010, the Senior Pastor of Daystar
Christian Church, Sam Adeyemi, commissioned The Elevation Church, of which
Godman Akinlabi has since been its lead pastor.Apart from his desire for
winning souls, Akinlabi is passionate about the role of the Church in the
positive transformation of Nigeria, and Africa in general. His mandate has
always been to ‘Make Greatness Common’.
He is the convener of Vantage Forum, an entrepreneurial
advancement initiative held annually, which is “focused on empowering
individuals to achieve the highest levels of distinction in their businesses
and careers through empowerment platforms such as business seminars, workshops
and mentorship programmes.”
Godman holds a special Twitter event every Friday with
hashtag #MrMrsBetterHalf, a conversation which is focused on sharing practical
tips on building godly relationships. The hashtag has featured on ‘The top 100
British “trending topics” on Twitter.
In July 2016, he facilitated and launched
‘BelieversConnect’, an application developed with a view to connecting
single-status Christians “with similar desires for a successful marriage.
Based on the appeal of his sermons to a demographic
population largely dominated by youths, he was featured as one of the five most
influential pastors in Nigeria.
Lawrence Onochie is the lead pastor of The Kings Heritage
Church, Nigeria
He became born again in 1987 through the ministry of Bishop
Mike Okonkwo at The Redeemed Evangelical Mission church after a delinquent
lifestyle. In 1988, he pastored a fellowship called ‘The Royal Priesthood
Family’ and further went on to become a pastor of ‘Youths Aflame Christian
Outreach’ (YACO), a revolutionary youth ministry which was an amalgamation of
three different youth ministries between 1989-1991. Between 1991-1993 he also
served as the Pastor of ‘El-shaddai Club’, a campus fellowship in Anambra State
University of Science and Technology.
In 1994, Lawrence Onochie served in the birthing process of
House On The Rock Church, where he served in different capacities over a period
of seven (7) years. At House On The Rock Church, he held various pastoral
positions, which included Pastor in charge of the Music Ministry, Coordinator
PETRA Coalition, Director of Counseling and Director of Missions.
On 11th November, 2001, the General Overseer of The Redeem
Evangelical Church, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, commissioned The The Kings Heritage
Church, of which Lawrence Onochie has since been its Senior pastor. Apart from
his desire for winning souls, Lawrence is passionate about the role of youths
in the positive transformation of Nigeria, and Africa in general. His mandate
has always been to ‘bring people from the back side to the front side’.
He is the convener of Discovery for Youths, a youths
Empowerment initiative held annually, which is “focused on raising a new breed
of dynamic young leaders in Nigeria.
No doubt, Ibadan- based Mount Zion Faith Ministries is
Nigeria’s foremost and biggest drama ministry.
They have a very inspiring success story as they both grew
the group from the scratch with barely little money to finance their project.
Evangelist Mike Bamiloye actually started the ministry when he was 25 years
old, and since them, he has not had any course to look back.
Apostle Arome Osayi is the Founder of Remnant Christian
Network (RCN), a non-profit Christian organisation with network of Apostolic
centres, Churches and Mission outreaches in Nigeria and Europe.
Remant Christian Network is a non denominational ministry based
in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
Apostle Arome Osayi believes his core mandate is to strive
for the rebirth of apostolic christianity in our generation. He is passionate
about the preservation of biblical doctrine and living out the truth of God’s word
as it is in the Holy Scripture.
A skillful and sound teacher of God’s word with strange
apostolic and prophetic manifestations. He teaches and leads the body of Christ
in strategic prayer and intercession for our land and the people. The prayer
anointing upon his life is contagious. mere listening to his sermons and
sitting under his ministrations propel people to the life of prayer and
intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
His vision is to equip ministers of the gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ in Africa and Europe to become effective in the work of the
ministry.
In the same category is Felix Omobude, the founder of New
Covenant Ministry based in Benin . A protege of the late prosperity preacher,
Benson Idahosa, Omobude stands out as one of the present day popular
pentecostal pastors and a strong advocate of exemplary leadership even among
the men of God.
They shook nations
and changed history.They touched lives and built great churches. Their
influence for Christ are felt among us. And they are doing it all with words —
words from God, words anointed by the Holy Spirit.
Others started their congregations from scratch. And a few
have broken the glass ceiling in their respective denominations. Whatever their
accomplishments, these 60 Christian ministers are at the top of their field.
Divinely gifted in many ways, they are Nigeria’s best and most sought-after
preachers in the task of saving souls and fighting demonic forces. These are in
no particular order.
In Nigeria today, there are more than 60 of such powerful
pastors in whose areas of specialty are miracles, prophecy, healing, teaching,
preaching, marriage counselling and are attracting people with such problems.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of The Redeemed
Christian Church of God. Humble, the mathematician-turned preacher has impacted
on the lives of millions of Nigerians with his monthly Holy Ghost Night
programme.
On every first Friday of the month, all roads virtually lead
to the “Redeem Camp” at Kilometre 46, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, venue of the
crusade. The programme attracts thousands of miracle seekers every month. And
they come from as far as Kaduna , Benue , Ilorin , Ibadan , Lagos and Port
Harcourt .
The RCCG is one of the fastest growing churches in Nigeria
with branches all over the 36 states of the federation and across Africa,
Europe, Middle east and the United States. In Lagos alone, nearly every street
has a branch or fellowship centre of the church. It has been said that this is
in line with Adeboye’s vision to spread the gospel.
Bishop David Oyedepo, general overseer of Living Faith
Ministries aka Winners Chapel has grown to become an oak tree in Christendom.
His 50,000 capacity worship centre known as Cannanland in Otta, Ogun State ,
has attracted Christian worshippers from within and outside the country.
Oyedepo’s motivational, faith-building teachings have also
endeared him to many. Living faith International has gone beyond a Christian
ministry, the Canaan land in Otta Ogun state has been expanded over the years
and now contains a primary school – Kingdom heritage model school, the faith
academy secondary school, and fully equipped university that has over 7,000
students enrolled in all its courses.
Today, the church is said to exist in every state of Nigeria
and in other African countries. Oyedepo has more than 200 books published by
his Dominion Publishing House to complement his soul- winning efforts.
Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo has been the Senior Pastor of KICC
since 1992. He has a dynamic gifting to combine his calling as a Pastor and
teacher, with the roles of mentor, businessman and spiritual father.
During more than 30 years in the ministry, Pastor Matthew
has given countless people the spiritual and practical foundation on which to
successfully build their lives. An inspiring visionary, Pastor Matthew launched
the UK’s first church-owned television channel, KICC TV, and his television and
radio ministry Winning Ways is a source of inspiration and deliverance for the
millions it reaches across the globe.
As an award-winning and prolific author, Pastor Matthew has
published more than 90 books, including “The Power of Positive Prayer Bible”
and the pioneering ‘What’s Wrong with Being Black?’ – a book hailed for
‘reaching the parts community campaigners cannot reach’. Pastor Matthew
constantly challenges believers to become the best they can be.
Honoured several times as the most influential black person
in the public sector/religion category in the Power List, Pastor Matthew’s
influence on church growth and evangelism has been noted by local and international
news media. A successful businessman, he is recognized as one of the most
exciting and inspiring Christian voices on the world scene today.
His influence on church growth and evangelism has guaranteed
countless requests for his comments by a variety of mainstream media including
BBC TV and Radio, Sky News, The Times and Guardian broadsheet newspapers, as
well as a broad spectrum of Christian and faith-based publications.
As a respected leader, Pastor Matthew sits on the Board of
Reference for God TV and is considered a Christian thought leader, Biblical
scholar and media commentator on a variety of issues that have left indelible
marks on modern society.
Pastor Chris Okotie
Pastor Chris Okotie, founder of Household of God, Oregun,
Lagos , is another firebrand preacher that often sends his audience into
ecstasies. He is also known for televangelism but with a bias for preaching the
end times which he titles The Apocalypses. In his messages, Okotie reveals a
knowledge of the book of revelations beyond the ordinary.
Fondly called “Grace teacher” by the multitude of his
followers, Okotie’s teaching tend to evoke reactions more than edifying his
listeners.
Pastor Tunde Bakare, pastor of Latter Rain Assembly, Ogba,
Lagos is in a class of his own when it comes to political predictions. In the
course of such predictions, Bakare in the past has on one or two occasions
invited the wrath of the government. In particular, the prophecy on “Hundred
Days and Hundred Ways ” rattled the government so much that he was arrested and
interrogated by the State Security Service in 2002.
Beyond his predictions on national issues, Bakare is one
preacher who has inspired and motivated so many. He features regularly on radio
and television to share his knowledge of the scriptures.
Every church has its own history.
Pastor Paul Adefarasin‘s House on the Rock deserves a
mention. Born with a silver spoon, Adefarasin squandered his life away on drugs
in the United States until he saw the light in 1994.
From the living room of his mother in Lagos, he set up a
church that blossomed over the last seven years to 7,000 worshippers at its
present headquarters. This is in addition to over 40 other branches both within
and outside the country. His convened annual Gospel music concert is now a
revered event with Gospel music heavyweights annually making it a date.
Eloquent and charismatic, Aderafasin is one of the favourite
televangelists. Through his “Something Is About to Happen” television
programme, he has been able to touch the lives of many weary souls in many
ways. Many find his turn-around from his previous drug addicted lifestyle as a
great challenge in their own lives. He hosts the weekly television religious
program, Something Is About to Happen!, which is broadcast throughout Africa
and Europe. Adefarasin is also the head of the House on the Rock churches
headquartered in Lagos and the host of The Experience Lagos music and worship
concert.
But long before the emergence of the likes of
Adefarasin,
Rev Gabriel Oduyemi, founder of Bethel Ministries made waves
with his “Miracle Night” television programme in the mid-90s.
The midnight programme which caught the attention of
millions of Nigerians then featured worshippers waving handkerchiefs above
their heads on instruction to realise their miracles of becoming millionaires.
For millions of Nigerians who are constantly looking for miracles, signs and
wonders, Oduyemi was God-sent then.
A firm believer in financial prosperity, Oduyemi encouraged
most of the miracle seekers to donate generously to his church because “God
loves a cheerful giver.” Today, Oduyemi, who is now less visible has changed
the name of the church to Bethel Worship Incorporated.
William Kumuyi, general overseer of Deeper Life Christian
Ministry has also changed the lives of many by teaching members to live a
Christ-like life and praying ceaselessly. The church is also strong in-house
fellowship programmes as a way of encouraging spiritual growth. It views
television programmes as too worldly and as tools of distraction. The thrust of
the church is an emphasis on righteousness and holiness.
Bishop Francis Wale Oke, founder of Christ Life Church is
another powerful preacher. He had carried his crusade to even states that are
sharia-based. He said he had taken his missionary exploits to 49 countries
including the Soviet Union where Christianity was intolerable. Oke is the
bishop and founder of Christ Life Church, aka Sword of Spirit Ministries
Founder of the World of Life Bible Church at Warri,
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor is another protege of the late Benson
Idahosa. Described as flamboyant and a forceful preacher, former president of
Christian Association of Nigeria, Oritsejafor is gifted with teaching the word.
His fearless style of preaching has earned him several invitations to several
countries including Germany , Great Britain , America and France , among
others.
In confirmation to his winning souls for Christ, the church
today boasts of thousands members.
Mountain of Fire and Miracles is another big ministry in
Nigeria. Founded by
Daniel Kayode
Olukoya, the church had gone a step further to establish a “Prayer City ” along
the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Olukoya has been able to pull a large crowd of worshipers
because of his power ineffective prayers and spiritual warfare. He has
inculcated in the minds of the worshippers that there is a demon or two to
fight in every human problem on earth. To this end, he has de-emphasised the
dependence on pastors by worshippers in preference for a “do-it-yourself-prayer
sessions.”
The name Chris Oyakhilome also known as Pastor Chris,
founding president of Believers’ Loveworld Incorporated, also known as Christ
Embassy, a Bible-based Christian ministry headquartered in Lagos., is almost
synonymous with miracles. He is widely known for his Atmosphere for Miracles, a
television serial which advertises the numerous miracles performed by him. The
programme is a hit on many state and private television stations all over the
country. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, is known for his philanthropic works, which
include aiding the poor, the sick, and the dispossessed, both materially and
spiritually. Over a ministry career spanning more than 30 years, he has raised
men and women from poverty, healed the sick, and provided a message of hope
which has been broadcast to every nation in the world.Pastor Chris’s Inner City
Mission Project declares that “every child is your child”; this project saves
and assists orphaned and indigent children in inner cities across the globe
Future Africa Leaders Award is a initiative of Pastor
ChrisOyakhilome PhD, DSc, DD to explore, educate, mentor, highlight and empower
intelligent and genuine Leadership Potentials deposite in the lives of young
Africans.
Another man of God who has continued to hold sway in the
miracle arena is Temitope Balogun Joshua commonly referred to as TB Joshua, a
televangelist and philanthropist. He is the leader and founder of The
Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a Christian organisation that runs
the Emmanuel TV, television station from Lagos.
Joshua is known for his popularity across Africa and his
online presence with 2,500,000 fans on Facebook and nearly 500,000 YouTube
subscribers. Described as the “Oprah of evangelism” and “YouTube’s most popular
Pastor”,Emmanuel TV is Africa’s largest Christian television network and the
most subscribed Christian ministry channel on YouTube with videos amassing more
than 300 million views.
He has been awarded various accolades, notably receiving the
Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the Nigerian government
in 2008 and being voted the Yoruba man of the decade by Pan-Yoruba media outlet
Irohin-Odua. He has been called one of Africa’s 50 most influential people by
Pan-African magazines The Africa Report and New African Magazine.
Samuel Abiara, founder, Agbala Itura World-Wide, a faction
of Christ Apostolic Church is known for his healing services, evangelism and
prophecies. Abiara told Newswatch that he is not a miracle worker but said God
has used him to perform miracles. “The blind see, barren women conceive and
bear healthy children, among others that God has used us to perform in the name
of Jesus, “he said. The church headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State , is capable
of seating 5,000 worshippers at each service . Abiara enjoys the perks of his
ministry. “Our God is God of prosperity and wealth. Nobody that does the will
of God would lack anything,” he said.
In the last 30 years, Tunde Joda, pastor of Christ Chapel,
Lagos has consistently engaged members of his congregation every December in
fasting. An astute preacher who always sermonizes the need for exemplary
political leadership among lawless leaders in the country believes that it is
the only way to create sanity in the country. “I want to effect a change. It
must begin with the leaders. Lawlessness is a spirit. It started from the top.
When leaders are lawless, it affects everybody,” Joda said.It has been the
centre of his sermons and he therefore, concentrates more on fasting and
prayers. He is a medical doctor-turned preacher.
Uma Ukpai, a well-travelled Nigerian evangelist is the
founder of Uma Evangelistic Association, Uyo. A profound and charismatic
miracle worker, he has traversed a number of churches, delivering powerful
sermons and offering prayers backed with a miracle.
Several pastors from different denominations have invited
Ukpai to be part of their programmes but he could only honour a few. Others
have used Ukpai’s photograph in their handbills to sell their programmes and it
has worked miraculously.
Dr. Paul Enenche is the founder and senior pastor of Dunamis
International Gospel Center, a church he founded in 1996. A native of the Idoma
ethnic group in Benue State, Nigeria. Paul Enenche formerly a practicing
Medical doctor before he got called into establishing the ministry. The first
Sunday service of the church was held at Abuja Centre for Arts and Culture Area
10. Church Services were held for two weeks before the church moved to Abuja
Sheraton Hotel & Towers, where services took place for six months. The
church moved to its present site (Area 1, Garki Abuja) in June 1997. The church
runs six services every Sunday and two every Wednesday.
Lawrence Osagie, the founder of Powerline Bible Church is
known for his umbrage against the government, public institutions and religious
bodies.
He is also known for his trendy dressing. Osagie preaches
holiness to fight against social injustice. He is also a gifted teacher in
scriptural matters. He is so miffed by the political situation in the country
that he has suggested the church should lead a revolution that would usher in a
better society.
Bishop Mike Okonkwo
Bishop Mike Okonkwo, bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical
Mission, TREM, is another leader no Christian would forget in a hurry when it
comes to preaching prosperity and prayers for deliverance. A versatile man of
God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord. He passionately
preaches Power in the Word to a multicultural and diverse audience with over
180 branches in Nigeria and ten countries across the globe. He is an Apostle to
this generation, whose life has impacted millions around the world. A father to
many, and a pastor of many pastors across the globe, Dr Mike Okonkwo is also a
dynamic conference speaker, crusade evangelist, author, television and radio
host, a strong and respected voice in Nigeria, and an advocate of balanced
Christianity.
Rev. O. Ezekiel, the general overseer of Christian
Pentecostal Mission, CPM, Ajao Estate, Lagos , one of the fastest growing
churches in Nigeria is a powerful man of God. With branches all over Nigeria ,
CPM lays much emphasis on prayer and personal consecration. Rev Ezekiel has
preached the gospel of Christ for about 30 years with record of miracles, signs
and wonders following his ministry. He is a man of integrity and is loved by
the people because of his honesty. He is one of the founding fathers of
Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and has written several books among
which are: mountain top experiences, rubbish, business reflections, causes of
closed heaven, cloud of latter rain.
In the same category is Felix Omobude, the founder of New
Covenant Ministry based in Benin . A protege of the late prosperity preacher,
Benson Idahosa, Omobude stands out as one of the present day popular
pentecostal pastors and a strong advocate of exemplary leadership even among
the men of God.
Bishop Felix Adejumo is the Founder and Senior Pastor of The
Agape Christian Ministries Worldwide. An anointed preacher of the gospel, he is
in demand at conferences and seminars worldwide.
A pastor to the core, Bishop Adejumo is noted for his
peculiar love in encouraging people to be their best in life; he believes
nothing is impossible. His soft spoken nature has endeared many to him and the
wisdom he portrays in his teachings and conversations has made him a man of
known repute. Papa, as he is fondly called, has a great burden for leadership
and fires from all cylinders when talking to leaders and about leadership.
Prince David Zilly-Aggrey, pastor of the Royal House of
Grace, Port Harcourt has become a household name in the south-south zone of the
country because of his popular television programme known as the Prophetic
Watch.
His teachings have won a lot of souls to Christendom. The
Bayelsa-born pastor believes that “you need superior information to cause a
change in somebody.” The strength of his church is more than 5,000 and members
of his church believe that although he does not advertise miracles, God is
using him to bring prosperity to many people in this period of hardship.
For Margaret Idahosa, the presiding bishop of Church of God
Mission International , her strength could be best appreciated in her
effectively managing more than 3,000 branches of the church worldwide. Added to
this was the extra burden of overseeing the numerous investments on the
education of her late husband, Archbishop Benson Idahosa.
Over the years, Margaret had worked tirelessly to perpetuate
the legacies left behind by her husband. “His greatest desire is for us to
continue where he left off… we must not allow the work to die,” she told
Newswatch.
Another powerful miracle worker, Samson Ayorinde, a prophet
of the World Evangelism Bible Church , Ogudu, is said to have a special
anointing on the problem of barrenness. He is known as “barrenness bulldozer.”
Ayorinde has drawn wide membership within a short period of his ministry.
From testimonies and through telephone calls in his Samson
Ayorinde Live TV programme, some have testified that they have received
miracles from Ayorinde by just placing a glass of water in front of the TV set
as instructed.
As a miracle worker in high demand, Ayorinde has moved to
the Lagos State Television premises where he now conducts night vigils. Women
in search of the fruits of the womb have continued to flock his miracle
programmes. So are the unemployed, students and a host of miracle seekers.
Pastor Sarah Omakwu
Pastor Sarah and her late husband Pastor Ina Omakwu returned
to Nigeria in 1993 and founded Family Worship Centre in April same year. The
church, which started with only 47 members, has grown phenomenally to over
8,000 regular worshippers and currently supports over 100 missionaries and
mission agencies in Nigeria. Pastor Sarah OmakwuIn addition to her Pastoral
responsibilities, she also served as the Chief Operation Officer of Christian
Broadcasting Network (CBN) Int’l, Anglophone West Africa Headquarters, and
National Director of Counseling – World Reach Nigeria, the ministry arm of CBN
Int’l. She became the President of Family Ministries International and Senior
Pastor Family Worship Centre after the home calling of her husband in 2003,
being anointed by Dr. Creflo A. Dollar.
Pastor David Ibiyeomie is a Nigerian pastor, televangelist,
author, and educationist. He is the founder and senior pastor of Salvation
Ministries, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. After completing his Bible School
training at Bishop David Oyedepo’s Word of Faith Bible Institute (WOFBI),
Ibiyeomie started a house fellowship with his family in Victoria Island, Lagos,
Nigeria. He later relocated to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he started
Salvation Ministries (Glorious Chapel) on April 13, 1997, with a little over
twenty members in attendance.
In July 1997, the church relocated to a larger plot of land
on Birabi Street in G.R.A. Phase 1, Port Harcourt. As of 2017, Salvation
Ministries averages about 50,000 attendees every Sunday at its headquarters.
The church also has numerous branches all over Nigeria and the U.S.
Sam Amaga, founder of the Foundation Faith Chapel
Incorporated preaches prosperity like many of his peers. That is not unexpected
from a man ordained as bishop by late Benson Idahosa. Amaga commands large
followership from his miracle exploits. He has healed and delivered many from
endless problems that confront the man. Amaga is also popular with his
televangelism programmes. His book, How to Be an Achiever, is a Christian best
seller.
Apostle G.D. Numbere, pastor of Greater Evangelism World
Crusade is a chip off the old block. A one-time chairman of the Rivers State
chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Numbere lays much emphasis on
prayers and evangelism. He commands a lot of respect among fellow pastors in
the South-South zone because of his miracle exploits and spiritual powers.
Samuel Adeyemi is the Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian
Centre, a fast growing, life changing church committed to “raising role models”
based in Lagos. He is also the President of Success Power International, an NGO
that among others things specializes in organizing financial, leadership and
motivational seminars and is President of Daystar Leadership Academy, a
leadership school for business owners and ministers of the Gospel.
He is a dynamic Pastor, Teacher and Motivational speaker and
host of the popular programme – SUCCESS POWER – which airs on radio and
television stations within and outside Nigeria.
He has authored several books including the best selling –
Parable Of Dollars and Success Is Who You Are. Others include Ideas Rule the
World, Start With What You Have, Second Revolution, Multiply Your Success: LEAD
and his latest additions, Nigeria Of My Dreams, Generation Z+ and We Are The Government.
Rev George Olawale Adegboye is an Apostle of the New
Testament, with a commission to “Take the Word to the nations of the World,
emphasizing its integrity.
He is the President of the Ever Increasing Word Ministries,
also known as Rhema Chapel International Churches, with many branches
worldwide. He is also the President of the Word of Victory Bible Training
Institute and the Young Ministers Teaching School, which are the training arm
of the ministry. He teaches the word extensively with a simplistic practical
prophetic insight. He is in great demand all over the world across
denominations and independent churches for conventions, seminars and
outreaches.
He has being instrumental in helping to birth, father,
mentor, train, adjust, repair, place, encourage, motivate and send forth
several fit and capable ministers into the harvest fields of the earth. He has
been used to impart and transform many young men and women into flaming fire
brand ministers of the Gospel in several nations of the world. His ministry
resource materials are always in great demand.
Apostle Anselm Madubuko, general overseer of Revival
Assembly, Ikeja, travels all over the world. Though he has no branch elsewhere,
he has an apostolic ministry all over the world where he preaches. “What God
has done for me is to give me a stable base,” he said.
Revival Assembly is a very big church with a capacity of
more than 3,000 worshippers at a time. Its worshippers show taste, class and
style. The church attracts large membership from the upper class of the
society, which explains the fleet of posh cars parked on the church premises on
worship days.
Apostle Suleman Johnson is the President and General
Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, a church with headquarters in
Auchi, Nigeria. Everything about The president about Johnson Suleman is very
strange and different from the normal. His birth is nothing like you have ever
seen before. His kind are very few and rear , the way he performs miracle will
shock you to your bones and it will look like a comedy show to you perhaps you
might even make a joke out of it .
Dr. Abel Damina is the Senior Pastor of Power City
International, a multifaceted, multicultural, and multinational Gospel Centre
where thousands meet weekly to worship God. He is also President of
International Covenant Ministers Association (ICMA), a body that provides
covering and ministerial resources for Ministers of the Gospel globally.
Dr. Abel Damina hosts the TV program Righteous Invasion of
Truth (R.I.O.T.) on KLN (Africa) and KICC TV (Europe) through which millions
are being transformed across the world. He travels around the globe preaching
the Gospel of Jesus Christ with demonstration of power.
He is a prolific writer and author of several books which
includes: The Priesthood of Jesus, The Gospel-Reign of Life and Immortality,
Grace the Struggle-free Zone, God in a Man, Higher Life-Redeemed to Reign in
Life, The God Class among others.
Pastor Poju Oyemade is the Senior Pastor of Covenant
Christian Centre, Lagos. Like David Ibiyeomie, he was ordained into ministry by
Bishop David Oyedepo, the presiding bishop of Living Faith Ministries Worldwide
(a.k.a Winner’s Chapel).
Pastor ‘Poju is a teacher of the Word of faith with insight
into how believers can apply biblical principles in a pragmatic and practical
way in their daily lives.
This dynamic pastor hosts regular Faith Seminars, Singles’
Summits,Annual Conference “WAFBEC”, Financial and Business Seminars where
believers are taught the undiluted Word and how it can be applied directly in
their situations to produce results, God’s way.
The Platform Nigeria – Worker’s Fair and National
Development Fair are also outreaches of his ministry where prominent business
men and women (that are believers) share how they thrive in their industries
using and applying principles founded in the Bible.
He is also the host of the regular television programme
‘Insights for Living’ that airs on;
The founder of Zion Heritage and Miracle Ministries, Bishop
Okwudili Eze is a seasoned Prophet with an unusual accuracy in the prophetic.
Having followed him over the years in the prophetic and his yearly prophecies
to the nations, I must say and attest He is one of the genuine voices in the
Nations which we must look out for and listen to. He is incredibly anointed in
the prophetic and is the President of ISOSPAL – An International School of
Seers, Pastors and Leaders where he is raising Fresh Apostolic and Prophetic
voices with unusual anointing and gifts for signs and wonders.
So also is Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, of the Common Wealth of
Zion Assembly (COZA) Abuja. He is a flamboyant man of God who is using the gift
of oratory to do great exploits for the Almighty. He is also a prosperity
preacher and believes firmly that Christians who serve the Lord in truth
deserve to be rich.
His ministry has continued to grow from strength to strength
because of people’s belief in his spiritual power to unlock the mountain of
achievements which are latent and imprisoned in their individual systems.
Rev. Dr. Joshua Talena
Rev. Dr. Joshua Talena, founder of Shepherd’s House Assembly
International aka Agape House Assembly who is a dynamic leader with a unique
call from God to reach this generation with God’s transforming power with the
vision to reach the unreached and build the reached. His ministry is
accompanied with miracles, signs, wonders and prophecies. He has written
several books, and is the host of a household television program called “The
Shepherd’s Touch”. He is a regular speaker at Christian Conferences, Seminars
and Crusades within and outside the country. His preaching and messages
communicate life, deliverance, total restoration, prosperity, healing and
manifestation of the miraculous.
Nicholas Eze, the founder and general overseer of Christ for
the World Mission Incorporated with headquarters in Calabar, is another
pragmatic preacher. Eze founded the church in the late 1970s with the main
objective of reaching the younger generation with the gospel. Over the years,
the Abasi Obori, Calabar headquarters of the church is being besieged by
miracle seekers and people who seek deliverance from powers of darkness. Christ
for the World Mission has now spread to many villages and cities in eastern
Nigeria. Eze is basically a holiness preacher and Bible teacher.
Idem Ikon, the founder of Revival Valley Ministries with
headquarters in Calabar, was an undergraduate of the University of Ife before
he quit school to start preaching. He has been very popular among university
students and young people who have been largely reached by his work. Ikon is a
respected guest speaker and has featured in many international conferences
across Africa
Alexander Ekewuba, the founder of Overcomers Christian
Mission, Owerri, is another powerful man of God in Nigeria. Ekewuba is known
for his miracles and demolition of demon-infested institutions in and around
Owerri.
The most prominent were the notorious Owerre Ebeiri traditional
institution that thrives on the killing of human beings at the event of the
death of the Eze and the installation of a new one. It was Ekewuba and his
pastors that demystified the barbaric culture at the invitation of Chidi
Uzomah, a lecturer at the Imo State University, Owerri and the heir-apparent.
He, in fact, liberated the community from the demonic bondage which had existed
for years.
Pastor Patrick Anwuzia of Zoe Ministries is noted for his
no-holds-barred prosperity preaching. He heads the Zoe ministry spread across
Nigerian cities and some other foreign countries. He describes himself as a
strategic preacher of practical Christianity.
Evangelist Helen Ukpabio, the founder of Liberty Gospel
Church, is another female minister of the gospel. She has carved a niche for
herself at evangelising through filmmaking than in physically preaching the
word. As an actress, it was easy for her to use her acting to send out
inspirational messages to her growing audience. – Films such as From Grass to
Grace, The Price, Power to Bind and Wasted Years, are a soap box for believers.
Originally a member of the Olumba Olumba fraternity, Ukpabio has published two
books against the sect: “The Seat of Satan Exposed” and Unveiling the Mysteries
of Witchcraft. Barely four years old in her new-found ministry, has Ukpabio
established 18 other branches in the country.
Lazarus Muoka is a Nigerian pastor, minister and author. He
is the founder and General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival
Movement. Lazarus Muoka was born into a Catholic family in Mgbidi in Imo State
where he went on to finish his primary and secondary school education. In 1975,
he moved into Lagos and worked for some time under a company before starting up
his own business which he did until he gave his life to Christ as a full
Christian.Lazaraus Muoka claimed to have had many dreams from God in 1994
prompting him to pull out from the church he was serving as a pastor and set up
his own church. Shortly after pulling out, he set up The Lord’s Chosen
Charismatic Revival Movement with the aim of “preaching the undiluted word of
God”. The church which started with a few pioneer members has gone on to become
one of the most popular churches in Nigeria.
Apostle Joseph Agboli, is the General Overseer of
rapidly-growing Pentecostal church, the Victorious Army Ministries
International (VAM), Lagos.
Apostle Agboli is a speaker that often goes to preach in the
different parts of the world. He is very charismatic and is full of energy
which passes on to the people listening to his sermons. He has many years of
experience of preaching given that he is teaching many people coming from different
background
With over 15 years in ministry, Joseph Agboli is a leading
voice in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ that God wants us to lead and
succeed in every area of living across the globe through his resources such as
television, radio broadcast, publications , seminar and books. A highly sought
after conference speaker, Agboli has impacted millions of people around the
world.
Bishop Tom Samson is the general overseer of Christ Royal
Family Churches (an 100 acres city) with international headquarters Royal City,
Ota and branches in Lagos (Egbeda, Ikeja, Festac, Ojokoro, Ikorodu) Abuja, Port
Harcourt, London (U.K). The church which began as a fellowship in the year 1986
by Bishop Dr. Tom Samson as a year one student in the then Bendel State
University, Ekpoma, Edo State. It later transformed into a Church in December,
1991, with five members and in a rented apartment.
Pastor Ituah Ighodalo is the founder of Trinity House, a
non-denominational, free flow worship center powered with a vision to build
leaders, professionals, and leaders to be.
The church has its vision “Changing Lives, Fulfilling
Destines, and Transforming Nations”, and its mission is “To build a people of
change, influence, and impact; For people to take their various leadership
roles and fulfill their purpose on earth; To make the world a better place
where everyone can fit in; And to bring the impact of Christianity beyond
Christians and the church into the larger society”.
Pastor Ituah gave his life to Christ in 1993 and was
ordained pastor in 1995 by The Redeemed Christian Church of God. He has worked
as Associate Pastor of Freedom Hall, (later renamed Hope Hall) as well as the
City of David Parishes of R.C.C.G. and has been involved in international
missions, helping to pioneer several Redeemed Christian Church of God parishes
abroad. He was the Parish Pastor of RCCG Christ Church for 10years before moving
out to start the Trinity house church.
Prophet Olanrewaju Bankole Moses is the general oversee of
Christ Word Gospel Ministry, prophetic ministry located in Pipe line area of
Idimu Lagos. He is one of the most sort after preachers in the world today and
has traveled to over 10 nation’s preaching the gospel and healing the sick,
setting the captives free, helping the poor through Gods word prosperous
,restoration, salvation and unimaginable testimonies to thousands around the
world.
Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters International Christian
Centre, a Pentecostal church founded in December 2003, has proving that with
faith, determination, focus and the right team, anything is possible, what
started with just a roomful of people has grown to be the most desirable place
of worship in Lagos, with worship centres on the mainland and island, drawing
in thousands of people at 5 amazing services.
Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin Burutu is the founder and head
Prophet of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry (CMDM), Warri, Delta State,
Nigeria. He founded the church on 3 April 2010.
Before setting up his church, he was a member with Mountain
of Fire and Miracles Ministries. His church, Christ Mercyland Deliverance
Ministry, which began as a morning devotional worship centre in 2010, has over
fifteen thousand members and is still growing
Chris Okafor, popularly referred to as The Oracle, is a
Christian minister, televangelist and faith healer with particular emphasis on
dealing with supposed foundations and altars. He is leader and founder of
Mountain Of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, also known as Liberation City.
When it comes to impacting human lives, besides his primary
spiritual assignment, Okafor is a giver, providing succor and empowering the
underprivileged with skills acquisition, scholarship via The Chris Okafor
Humanity Foundation. He has received numerous recognitions, notably The Most
accurate Seer of the Year.
Okafor is widely travelled and known across Africa and
beyond by the vehicle of his mandate, Chris Okafor World Outreach Ministry
(COWOM), which has taken the message of liberation to countless homes in
crusades and via the Liberation TV.
Prophet Emmanuel Omale is the General overseer of Divine
Hand of God Prophetic Ministries worldwide with headquarters in Garki Area 1,
Abuja. Obeying the Divine call, Prophet Emmanuel Omale started a ministry that
he prophetically called “Hand of God Ministry”. The ministry which started very
small with few members has today grown beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Primate Theophilus Olabayo, founder of the Evangelical
Church of Yahweh Worldwide has equally been named in such fashion for his
predictions. He started on a sound footing about the same time with the likes
of such famous prophets of God as Professor Godspower Oyewole; Dr. Gabriel
Okunzua, a notable parapsychologist; Prophet Samuel Adewole of the Celestial
Church of Christ, and Primate Theophilus Olabayo of the Evangelical Church of
Yahweh. And like Olabayo did in those days when prophetic outbursts were such
that conveyed a vent of colour, wild excitement and admiration, defining the
beauty of the seasons, Ayodele proudly still carries the torch of spiritual
evangelism proclaiming the glory of God to the benefit of mankind. He also
enjoys the rare uniqueness of a regular critic of CAN, the umbrella body of
Christians in Nigeria which to him still falls short of leading by example.
Ayodele’s reputation is such that spreads across the world and his prophetic
accuracy remains ever intact in its unique integrity.
Joshua Iginla is the leader and founder of Champions Royal
Assembly. A Christian organisation located in Kubwa-Abuja. A televangelist and
philanthropist, known for given out fleet of cars to actors and celebrities,
credited with accurately predicting the defeat of Governor Kayode Fayemi of
Ekiti state and the victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state
Taiwo Odukoya is a Nigerian Pentecostal pastor, public
speaker and author. He is the senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church,
Ilupeju, Lagos, Nigeria, a Church with a membership strength of over 8,000
people Prior to his call to the ministry in 1994, Odukoya worked for 12 years
as a petroleum engineer with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC).
In 2006, Taiwo Odukoya was voted one of the 12 most
inspiring leaders in Nigeria in a survey conducted by Leadership &
Lifestyle (a London-based magazine).
Odukoya proclaims a firm belief in the role of the church in
the community and expresses it through several outreach projects including a
hospital, an orphanage, a school for destitute children, a farm, a water
project which provides boreholes at strategic locations for people who have no
access to clean and portable water and a skill acquisition and entrepreneurial
institute for the less privileged On April 19, 1997, Taiwo Odukoya set up
Discovery for Men and Discovery for Women, non-denominational outreaches to men
and women designed to help them maximize their God-given potentials. These
outreaches reach out to hundreds of thousands of men and women annually through
quarterly rallies, mentorship programs] and a vocational center to equip them
with technical and practical life skills.
In March 2014 he was named by Evan Carmichael as one of the
Top 100 Leadership Experts to Follow on Twitter.
Godman Akinlabi is the lead pastor of The Elevation Church,
Nigeria.
Godman Akinlabi started his pastoral ministry at Daystar
Christian Centre, where he served in different capacities over a period of
twelve (12) years. At Daystar Christian Centre, he held various pastoral
positions, which included ushering pastor, teacher, preacher and Director of
Pastoral Care. He serves on the faculty of Daystar Leadership Academy (DLA),
where he facilitates Leadership Development courses.
On 28th December, 2010, the Senior Pastor of Daystar
Christian Church, Sam Adeyemi, commissioned The Elevation Church, of which
Godman Akinlabi has since been its lead pastor.Apart from his desire for
winning souls, Akinlabi is passionate about the role of the Church in the
positive transformation of Nigeria, and Africa in general. His mandate has
always been to ‘Make Greatness Common’.
He is the convener of Vantage Forum, an entrepreneurial
advancement initiative held annually, which is “focused on empowering
individuals to achieve the highest levels of distinction in their businesses
and careers through empowerment platforms such as business seminars, workshops
and mentorship programmes.”
Godman holds a special Twitter event every Friday with
hashtag #MrMrsBetterHalf, a conversation which is focused on sharing practical
tips on building godly relationships. The hashtag has featured on ‘The top 100
British “trending topics” on Twitter.
In July 2016, he facilitated and launched
‘BelieversConnect’, an application developed with a view to connecting
single-status Christians “with similar desires for a successful marriage.
Based on the appeal of his sermons to a demographic
population largely dominated by youths, he was featured as one of the five most
influential pastors in Nigeria.
Lawrence Onochie is the lead pastor of The Kings Heritage
Church, Nigeria
He became born again in 1987 through the ministry of Bishop
Mike Okonkwo at The Redeemed Evangelical Mission church after a delinquent
lifestyle. In 1988, he pastored a fellowship called ‘The Royal Priesthood
Family’ and further went on to become a pastor of ‘Youths Aflame Christian
Outreach’ (YACO), a revolutionary youth ministry which was an amalgamation of
three different youth ministries between 1989-1991. Between 1991-1993 he also
served as the Pastor of ‘El-shaddai Club’, a campus fellowship in Anambra State
University of Science and Technology.
In 1994, Lawrence Onochie served in the birthing process of
House On The Rock Church, where he served in different capacities over a period
of seven (7) years. At House On The Rock Church, he held various pastoral
positions, which included Pastor in charge of the Music Ministry, Coordinator
PETRA Coalition, Director of Counseling and Director of Missions.
On 11th November, 2001, the General Overseer of The Redeem
Evangelical Church, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, commissioned The The Kings Heritage
Church, of which Lawrence Onochie has since been its Senior pastor. Apart from
his desire for winning souls, Lawrence is passionate about the role of youths
in the positive transformation of Nigeria, and Africa in general. His mandate
has always been to ‘bring people from the back side to the front side’.
He is the convener of Discovery for Youths, a youths
Empowerment initiative held annually, which is “focused on raising a new breed
of dynamic young leaders in Nigeria.
Bishop Chris Kwakpovwe is a dynamic man of God with strong
prophetic, healing, preaching and teaching ministries. He is a qualified
pharmacist (1983) from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University)
in Nigeria. By the grace of God, he is the founder of the various Manna Prayer
Mountain (MPM) worldwide. A man with a unique heart of compassion and a strong
vision born out of the deep furnace of affliction, he believes that toil (hard
work), stubborn determination, daily solitude and prayers are the engine rooms
of every true-life success story! This is Bishop Dr. Chris, the author and
publisher of the daily faith lifter, the daily terrorist of Satan/his cohorts
and the amazing daily dream lifter – Our Daily Manna!
No doubt, Ibadan- based Mount Zion Faith Ministries is
Nigeria’s foremost and biggest drama ministry.
Evangelist Mike
Bamiloye. The drama ministry actually brought a revolution to the gospel movie
sector in Nigeria. Evangelist Bamiloye’s talents and creativity are outstanding
as he writes the scripts of all his movies and drama series, which has earned
him so much respect. The popular movie evangelist is however achieving this
feat with the joint effort of his wife, Gloria, with whom he has been able to
build a brand which has not only gained recognition in Nigeria but also on the
global scene.
They have a very inspiring success story as they both grew
the group from the scratch with barely little money to finance their project.
Evangelist Mike Bamiloye actually started the ministry when he was 25 years
old, and since them, he has not had any course to look back.
Apostle Arome Osayi is the Founder of Remnant Christian
Network (RCN), a non-profit Christian organisation with network of Apostolic
centres, Churches and Mission outreaches in Nigeria and Europe.
Remant Christian Network is a non denominational ministry
based in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
Apostle Arome Osayi believes his core mandate is to strive
for the rebirth of apostolic christianity in our generation. He is passionate
about the preservation of biblical doctrine and living out the truth of God’s
word as it is in the Holy Scripture.
A skillful and sound teacher of God’s word with strange
apostolic and prophetic manifestations. He teaches and leads the body of Christ
in strategic prayer and intercession for our land and the people. The prayer
anointing upon his life is contagious. mere listening to his sermons and
sitting under his ministrations propel people to the life of prayer and
intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
His vision is to equip ministers of the gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ in Africa and Europe to become effective in the work of the
ministry.
In the same category is Felix Omobude, the founder of New
Covenant Ministry based in Benin . A protege of the late prosperity preacher,
Benson Idahosa, Omobude stands out as one of the present day popular
pentecostal pastors and a strong advocate of exemplary leadership even among
the men of God.
They shook nations
and changed history.They touched lives and built great churches. Their
influence for Christ are felt among us. And they are doing it all with words —
words from God, words anointed by the Holy Spirit.
Others started their congregations from scratch. And a few
have broken the glass ceiling in their respective denominations. Whatever their
accomplishments, these 60 Christian ministers are at the top of their field.
Divinely gifted in many ways, they are Nigeria’s best and most sought-after
preachers in the task of saving souls and fighting demonic forces. These are in
no particular order.
In Nigeria today, there are more than 60 of such powerful
pastors in whose areas of specialty are miracles, prophecy, healing, teaching,
preaching, marriage counselling and are attracting people with such problems.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of The Redeemed
Christian Church of God. Humble, the mathematician-turned preacher has impacted
on the lives of millions of Nigerians with his monthly Holy Ghost Night
programme.
On every first Friday of the month, all roads virtually lead
to the “Redeem Camp” at Kilometre 46, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, venue of the
crusade. The programme attracts thousands of miracle seekers every month. And
they come from as far as Kaduna , Benue , Ilorin , Ibadan , Lagos and Port
Harcourt .
The RCCG is one of the fastest growing churches in Nigeria
with branches all over the 36 states of the federation and across Africa,
Europe, Middle east and the United States. In Lagos alone, nearly every street
has a branch or fellowship centre of the church. It has been said that this is
in line with Adeboye’s vision to spread the gospel.
Bishop David Oyedepo, general overseer of Living Faith
Ministries aka Winners Chapel has grown to become an oak tree in Christendom.
His 50,000 capacity worship centre known as Cannanland in Otta, Ogun State ,
has attracted Christian worshippers from within and outside the country.
Oyedepo’s motivational, faith-building teachings have also
endeared him to many. Living faith International has gone beyond a Christian
ministry, the Canaan land in Otta Ogun state has been expanded over the years
and now contains a primary school – Kingdom heritage model school, the faith
academy secondary school, and fully equipped university that has over 7,000
students enrolled in all its courses.
Today, the church is said to exist in every state of Nigeria
and in other African countries. Oyedepo has more than 200 books published by
his Dominion Publishing House to complement his soul- winning efforts.
Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo has been the Senior Pastor of KICC
since 1992. He has a dynamic gifting to combine his calling as a Pastor and
teacher, with the roles of mentor, businessman and spiritual father.
During more than 30 years in the ministry, Pastor Matthew
has given countless people the spiritual and practical foundation on which to
successfully build their lives. An inspiring visionary, Pastor Matthew launched
the UK’s first church-owned television channel, KICC TV, and his television and
radio ministry Winning Ways is a source of inspiration and deliverance for the
millions it reaches across the globe.
As an award-winning and prolific author, Pastor Matthew has
published more than 90 books, including “The Power of Positive Prayer Bible”
and the pioneering ‘What’s Wrong with Being Black?’ – a book hailed for
‘reaching the parts community campaigners cannot reach’. Pastor Matthew
constantly challenges believers to become the best they can be.
Honoured several times as the most influential black person
in the public sector/religion category in the Power List, Pastor Matthew’s
influence on church growth and evangelism has been noted by local and international
news media. A successful businessman, he is recognized as one of the most
exciting and inspiring Christian voices on the world scene today.
His influence on church growth and evangelism has guaranteed
countless requests for his comments by a variety of mainstream media including
BBC TV and Radio, Sky News, The Times and Guardian broadsheet newspapers, as
well as a broad spectrum of Christian and faith-based publications.
As a respected leader, Pastor Matthew sits on the Board of
Reference for God TV and is considered a Christian thought leader, Biblical
scholar and media commentator on a variety of issues that have left indelible
marks on modern society.
Pastor Chris Okotie
Pastor Chris Okotie, founder of Household of God, Oregun,
Lagos , is another firebrand preacher that often sends his audience into
ecstasies. He is also known for televangelism but with a bias for preaching the
end times which he titles The Apocalypses. In his messages, Okotie reveals a
knowledge of the book of revelations beyond the ordinary.
Fondly called “Grace teacher” by the multitude of his
followers, Okotie’s teaching tend to evoke reactions more than edifying his
listeners.
Pastor Tunde Bakare, pastor of Latter Rain Assembly, Ogba,
Lagos is in a class of his own when it comes to political predictions. In the
course of such predictions, Bakare in the past has on one or two occasions
invited the wrath of the government. In particular, the prophecy on “Hundred
Days and Hundred Ways ” rattled the government so much that he was arrested and
interrogated by the State Security Service in 2002.
Beyond his predictions on national issues, Bakare is one
preacher who has inspired and motivated so many. He features regularly on radio
and television to share his knowledge of the scriptures.
Every church has its own history.
Pastor Paul Adefarasin‘s House on the Rock deserves a
mention. Born with a silver spoon, Adefarasin squandered his life away on drugs
in the United States until he saw the light in 1994.
From the living room of his mother in Lagos, he set up a
church that blossomed over the last seven years to 7,000 worshippers at its
present headquarters. This is in addition to over 40 other branches both within
and outside the country. His convened annual Gospel music concert is now a
revered event with Gospel music heavyweights annually making it a date.
Eloquent and charismatic, Aderafasin is one of the favourite
televangelists. Through his “Something Is About to Happen” television
programme, he has been able to touch the lives of many weary souls in many
ways. Many find his turn-around from his previous drug addicted lifestyle as a
great challenge in their own lives. He hosts the weekly television religious
program, Something Is About to Happen!, which is broadcast throughout Africa
and Europe. Adefarasin is also the head of the House on the Rock churches
headquartered in Lagos and the host of The Experience Lagos music and worship
concert.
But long before the emergence of the likes of
Adefarasin,
Rev Gabriel Oduyemi, founder of Bethel Ministries made waves
with his “Miracle Night” television programme in the mid-90s.
The midnight programme which caught the attention of
millions of Nigerians then featured worshippers waving handkerchiefs above
their heads on instruction to realise their miracles of becoming millionaires.
For millions of Nigerians who are constantly looking for miracles, signs and
wonders, Oduyemi was God-sent then.
A firm believer in financial prosperity, Oduyemi encouraged
most of the miracle seekers to donate generously to his church because “God
loves a cheerful giver.” Today, Oduyemi, who is now less visible has changed
the name of the church to Bethel Worship Incorporated.
William Kumuyi, general overseer of Deeper Life Christian
Ministry has also changed the lives of many by teaching members to live a
Christ-like life and praying ceaselessly. The church is also strong in-house
fellowship programmes as a way of encouraging spiritual growth. It views
television programmes as too worldly and as tools of distraction. The thrust of
the church is an emphasis on righteousness and holiness.
Bishop Francis Wale Oke, founder of Christ Life Church is
another powerful preacher. He had carried his crusade to even states that are
sharia-based. He said he had taken his missionary exploits to 49 countries
including the Soviet Union where Christianity was intolerable. Oke is the
bishop and founder of Christ Life Church, aka Sword of Spirit Ministries
Founder of the World of Life Bible Church at Warri,
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor is another protege of the late Benson
Idahosa. Described as flamboyant and a forceful preacher, former president of
Christian Association of Nigeria, Oritsejafor is gifted with teaching the word.
His fearless style of preaching has earned him several invitations to several
countries including Germany , Great Britain , America and France , among
others.
In confirmation to his winning souls for Christ, the church
today boasts of thousands members.
Mountain of Fire and Miracles is another big ministry in
Nigeria. Founded by
Daniel Kayode
Olukoya, the church had gone a step further to establish a “Prayer City ” along
the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Olukoya has been able to pull a large crowd of worshipers
because of his power ineffective prayers and spiritual warfare. He has
inculcated in the minds of the worshippers that there is a demon or two to
fight in every human problem on earth. To this end, he has de-emphasised the
dependence on pastors by worshippers in preference for a “do-it-yourself-prayer
sessions.”
The name Chris Oyakhilome also known as Pastor Chris,
founding president of Believers’ Loveworld Incorporated, also known as Christ
Embassy, a Bible-based Christian ministry headquartered in Lagos., is almost
synonymous with miracles. He is widely known for his Atmosphere for Miracles, a
television serial which advertises the numerous miracles performed by him. The
programme is a hit on many state and private television stations all over the
country. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, is known for his philanthropic works, which
include aiding the poor, the sick, and the dispossessed, both materially and
spiritually. Over a ministry career spanning more than 30 years, he has raised
men and women from poverty, healed the sick, and provided a message of hope
which has been broadcast to every nation in the world.Pastor Chris’s Inner City
Mission Project declares that “every child is your child”; this project saves
and assists orphaned and indigent children in inner cities across the globe
Future Africa Leaders Award is a initiative of Pastor
ChrisOyakhilome PhD, DSc, DD to explore, educate, mentor, highlight and empower
intelligent and genuine Leadership Potentials deposite in the lives of young
Africans.
Another man of God who has continued to hold sway in the
miracle arena is Temitope Balogun Joshua commonly referred to as TB Joshua, a
televangelist and philanthropist. He is the leader and founder of The
Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a Christian organisation that runs
the Emmanuel TV, television station from Lagos.
Joshua is known for his popularity across Africa and his
online presence with 2,500,000 fans on Facebook and nearly 500,000 YouTube
subscribers. Described as the “Oprah of evangelism” and “YouTube’s most popular
Pastor”,Emmanuel TV is Africa’s largest Christian television network and the
most subscribed Christian ministry channel on YouTube with videos amassing more
than 300 million views.
He has been awarded various accolades, notably receiving the
Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the Nigerian government
in 2008 and being voted the Yoruba man of the decade by Pan-Yoruba media outlet
Irohin-Odua. He has been called one of Africa’s 50 most influential people by
Pan-African magazines The Africa Report and New African Magazine.
Samuel Abiara, founder, Agbala Itura World-Wide, a faction
of Christ Apostolic Church is known for his healing services, evangelism and
prophecies. Abiara told Newswatch that he is not a miracle worker but said God
has used him to perform miracles. “The blind see, barren women conceive and
bear healthy children, among others that God has used us to perform in the name
of Jesus, “he said. The church headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State , is capable
of seating 5,000 worshippers at each service . Abiara enjoys the perks of his
ministry. “Our God is God of prosperity and wealth. Nobody that does the will
of God would lack anything,” he said.
In the last 30 years, Tunde Joda, pastor of Christ Chapel,
Lagos has consistently engaged members of his congregation every December in
fasting. An astute preacher who always sermonizes the need for exemplary
political leadership among lawless leaders in the country believes that it is
the only way to create sanity in the country. “I want to effect a change. It
must begin with the leaders. Lawlessness is a spirit. It started from the top.
When leaders are lawless, it affects everybody,” Joda said.It has been the
centre of his sermons and he therefore, concentrates more on fasting and
prayers. He is a medical doctor-turned preacher.
Uma Ukpai, a well-travelled Nigerian evangelist is the
founder of Uma Evangelistic Association, Uyo. A profound and charismatic
miracle worker, he has traversed a number of churches, delivering powerful
sermons and offering prayers backed with a miracle.
Several pastors from different denominations have invited
Ukpai to be part of their programmes but he could only honour a few. Others
have used Ukpai’s photograph in their handbills to sell their programmes and it
has worked miraculously.
Dr. Paul Enenche is the founder and senior pastor of Dunamis
International Gospel Center, a church he founded in 1996. A native of the Idoma
ethnic group in Benue State, Nigeria. Paul Enenche formerly a practicing
Medical doctor before he got called into establishing the ministry. The first
Sunday service of the church was held at Abuja Centre for Arts and Culture Area
10. Church Services were held for two weeks before the church moved to Abuja
Sheraton Hotel & Towers, where services took place for six months. The
church moved to its present site (Area 1, Garki Abuja) in June 1997. The church
runs six services every Sunday and two every Wednesday.
Lawrence Osagie, the founder of Powerline Bible Church is
known for his umbrage against the government, public institutions and religious
bodies.
He is also known for his trendy dressing. Osagie preaches
holiness to fight against social injustice. He is also a gifted teacher in
scriptural matters. He is so miffed by the political situation in the country
that he has suggested the church should lead a revolution that would usher in a
better society.
Bishop Mike Okonkwo
Bishop Mike Okonkwo, bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical
Mission, TREM, is another leader no Christian would forget in a hurry when it
comes to preaching prosperity and prayers for deliverance. A versatile man of
God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord. He passionately
preaches Power in the Word to a multicultural and diverse audience with over
180 branches in Nigeria and ten countries across the globe. He is an Apostle to
this generation, whose life has impacted millions around the world. A father to
many, and a pastor of many pastors across the globe, Dr Mike Okonkwo is also a
dynamic conference speaker, crusade evangelist, author, television and radio
host, a strong and respected voice in Nigeria, and an advocate of balanced
Christianity.
Rev. O. Ezekiel, the general overseer of Christian
Pentecostal Mission, CPM, Ajao Estate, Lagos , one of the fastest growing
churches in Nigeria is a powerful man of God. With branches all over Nigeria ,
CPM lays much emphasis on prayer and personal consecration. Rev Ezekiel has
preached the gospel of Christ for about 30 years with record of miracles, signs
and wonders following his ministry. He is a man of integrity and is loved by
the people because of his honesty. He is one of the founding fathers of
Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and has written several books among
which are: mountain top experiences, rubbish, business reflections, causes of
closed heaven, cloud of latter rain.
In the same category is Felix Omobude, the founder of New
Covenant Ministry based in Benin . A protege of the late prosperity preacher,
Benson Idahosa, Omobude stands out as one of the present day popular
pentecostal pastors and a strong advocate of exemplary leadership even among
the men of God.
Bishop Felix Adejumo is the Founder and Senior Pastor of The
Agape Christian Ministries Worldwide. An anointed preacher of the gospel, he is
in demand at conferences and seminars worldwide.
A pastor to the core, Bishop Adejumo is noted for his
peculiar love in encouraging people to be their best in life; he believes
nothing is impossible. His soft spoken nature has endeared many to him and the
wisdom he portrays in his teachings and conversations has made him a man of
known repute. Papa, as he is fondly called, has a great burden for leadership
and fires from all cylinders when talking to leaders and about leadership.
Prince David Zilly-Aggrey, pastor of the Royal House of
Grace, Port Harcourt has become a household name in the south-south zone of the
country because of his popular television programme known as the Prophetic
Watch.
His teachings have won a lot of souls to Christendom. The
Bayelsa-born pastor believes that “you need superior information to cause a
change in somebody.” The strength of his church is more than 5,000 and members
of his church believe that although he does not advertise miracles, God is
using him to bring prosperity to many people in this period of hardship.
For Margaret Idahosa, the presiding bishop of Church of God
Mission International , her strength could be best appreciated in her
effectively managing more than 3,000 branches of the church worldwide. Added to
this was the extra burden of overseeing the numerous investments on the
education of her late husband, Archbishop Benson Idahosa.
Over the years, Margaret had worked tirelessly to perpetuate
the legacies left behind by her husband. “His greatest desire is for us to
continue where he left off… we must not allow the work to die,” she told
Newswatch.
Another powerful miracle worker, Samson Ayorinde, a prophet
of the World Evangelism Bible Church , Ogudu, is said to have a special
anointing on the problem of barrenness. He is known as “barrenness bulldozer.”
Ayorinde has drawn wide membership within a short period of his ministry.
From testimonies and through telephone calls in his Samson
Ayorinde Live TV programme, some have testified that they have received
miracles from Ayorinde by just placing a glass of water in front of the TV set
as instructed.
As a miracle worker in high demand, Ayorinde has moved to
the Lagos State Television premises where he now conducts night vigils. Women
in search of the fruits of the womb have continued to flock his miracle
programmes. So are the unemployed, students and a host of miracle seekers.
Pastor Sarah Omakwu
Pastor Sarah and her late husband Pastor Ina Omakwu returned
to Nigeria in 1993 and founded Family Worship Centre in April same year. The
church, which started with only 47 members, has grown phenomenally to over
8,000 regular worshippers and currently supports over 100 missionaries and
mission agencies in Nigeria. Pastor Sarah OmakwuIn addition to her Pastoral
responsibilities, she also served as the Chief Operation Officer of Christian
Broadcasting Network (CBN) Int’l, Anglophone West Africa Headquarters, and
National Director of Counseling – World Reach Nigeria, the ministry arm of CBN
Int’l. She became the President of Family Ministries International and Senior
Pastor Family Worship Centre after the home calling of her husband in 2003,
being anointed by Dr. Creflo A. Dollar.
Pastor David Ibiyeomie is a Nigerian pastor, televangelist,
author, and educationist. He is the founder and senior pastor of Salvation
Ministries, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. After completing his Bible School
training at Bishop David Oyedepo’s Word of Faith Bible Institute (WOFBI),
Ibiyeomie started a house fellowship with his family in Victoria Island, Lagos,
Nigeria. He later relocated to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he started
Salvation Ministries (Glorious Chapel) on April 13, 1997, with a little over
twenty members in attendance.
In July 1997, the church relocated to a larger plot of land
on Birabi Street in G.R.A. Phase 1, Port Harcourt. As of 2017, Salvation
Ministries averages about 50,000 attendees every Sunday at its headquarters.
The church also has numerous branches all over Nigeria and the U.S.
Sam Amaga, founder of the Foundation Faith Chapel
Incorporated preaches prosperity like many of his peers. That is not unexpected
from a man ordained as bishop by late Benson Idahosa. Amaga commands large
followership from his miracle exploits. He has healed and delivered many from
endless problems that confront the man. Amaga is also popular with his
televangelism programmes. His book, How to Be an Achiever, is a Christian best
seller.
Apostle G.D. Numbere, pastor of Greater Evangelism World
Crusade is a chip off the old block. A one-time chairman of the Rivers State
chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Numbere lays much emphasis on
prayers and evangelism. He commands a lot of respect among fellow pastors in
the South-South zone because of his miracle exploits and spiritual powers.
Samuel Adeyemi is the Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian
Centre, a fast growing, life changing church committed to “raising role models”
based in Lagos. He is also the President of Success Power International, an NGO
that among others things specializes in organizing financial, leadership and
motivational seminars and is President of Daystar Leadership Academy, a
leadership school for business owners and ministers of the Gospel.
He is a dynamic Pastor, Teacher and Motivational speaker and
host of the popular programme – SUCCESS POWER – which airs on radio and
television stations within and outside Nigeria.
He has authored several books including the best selling –
Parable Of Dollars and Success Is Who You Are. Others include Ideas Rule the
World, Start With What You Have, Second Revolution, Multiply Your Success: LEAD
and his latest additions, Nigeria Of My Dreams, Generation Z+ and We Are The Government.
Rev George Olawale Adegboye is an Apostle of the New
Testament, with a commission to “Take the Word to the nations of the World,
emphasizing its integrity.
He is the President of the Ever Increasing Word Ministries,
also known as Rhema Chapel International Churches, with many branches
worldwide. He is also the President of the Word of Victory Bible Training
Institute and the Young Ministers Teaching School, which are the training arm
of the ministry. He teaches the word extensively with a simplistic practical
prophetic insight. He is in great demand all over the world across
denominations and independent churches for conventions, seminars and
outreaches.
He has being instrumental in helping to birth, father,
mentor, train, adjust, repair, place, encourage, motivate and send forth
several fit and capable ministers into the harvest fields of the earth. He has
been used to impart and transform many young men and women into flaming fire
brand ministers of the Gospel in several nations of the world. His ministry
resource materials are always in great demand.
Apostle Anselm Madubuko, general overseer of Revival
Assembly, Ikeja, travels all over the world. Though he has no branch elsewhere,
he has an apostolic ministry all over the world where he preaches. “What God
has done for me is to give me a stable base,” he said.
Revival Assembly is a very big church with a capacity of
more than 3,000 worshippers at a time. Its worshippers show taste, class and
style. The church attracts large membership from the upper class of the
society, which explains the fleet of posh cars parked on the church premises on
worship days.
Apostle Suleman Johnson is the President and General
Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, a church with headquarters in
Auchi, Nigeria. Everything about The president about Johnson Suleman is very
strange and different from the normal. His birth is nothing like you have ever
seen before. His kind are very few and rear , the way he performs miracle will
shock you to your bones and it will look like a comedy show to you perhaps you
might even make a joke out of it .
Dr. Abel Damina is the Senior Pastor of Power City
International, a multifaceted, multicultural, and multinational Gospel Centre
where thousands meet weekly to worship God. He is also President of
International Covenant Ministers Association (ICMA), a body that provides
covering and ministerial resources for Ministers of the Gospel globally.
Dr. Abel Damina hosts the TV program Righteous Invasion of
Truth (R.I.O.T.) on KLN (Africa) and KICC TV (Europe) through which millions
are being transformed across the world. He travels around the globe preaching
the Gospel of Jesus Christ with demonstration of power.
He is a prolific writer and author of several books which
includes: The Priesthood of Jesus, The Gospel-Reign of Life and Immortality,
Grace the Struggle-free Zone, God in a Man, Higher Life-Redeemed to Reign in
Life, The God Class among others.
Pastor Poju Oyemade is the Senior Pastor of Covenant
Christian Centre, Lagos. Like David Ibiyeomie, he was ordained into ministry by
Bishop David Oyedepo, the presiding bishop of Living Faith Ministries Worldwide
(a.k.a Winner’s Chapel).
Pastor ‘Poju is a teacher of the Word of faith with insight
into how believers can apply biblical principles in a pragmatic and practical
way in their daily lives.
This dynamic pastor hosts regular Faith Seminars, Singles’
Summits,Annual Conference “WAFBEC”, Financial and Business Seminars where
believers are taught the undiluted Word and how it can be applied directly in
their situations to produce results, God’s way.
The Platform Nigeria – Worker’s Fair and National
Development Fair are also outreaches of his ministry where prominent business
men and women (that are believers) share how they thrive in their industries
using and applying principles founded in the Bible.
He is also the host of the regular television programme
‘Insights for Living’ that airs on;
The founder of Zion Heritage and Miracle Ministries, Bishop
Okwudili Eze is a seasoned Prophet with an unusual accuracy in the prophetic.
Having followed him over the years in the prophetic and his yearly prophecies
to the nations, I must say and attest He is one of the genuine voices in the
Nations which we must look out for and listen to. He is incredibly anointed in
the prophetic and is the President of ISOSPAL – An International School of
Seers, Pastors and Leaders where he is raising Fresh Apostolic and Prophetic
voices with unusual anointing and gifts for signs and wonders.
So also is Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, of the Common Wealth of
Zion Assembly (COZA) Abuja. He is a flamboyant man of God who is using the gift
of oratory to do great exploits for the Almighty. He is also a prosperity
preacher and believes firmly that Christians who serve the Lord in truth
deserve to be rich.
His ministry has continued to grow from strength to strength
because of people’s belief in his spiritual power to unlock the mountain of
achievements which are latent and imprisoned in their individual systems.
Rev. Dr. Joshua Talena
Rev. Dr. Joshua Talena, founder of Shepherd’s House Assembly
International aka Agape House Assembly who is a dynamic leader with a unique
call from God to reach this generation with God’s transforming power with the
vision to reach the unreached and build the reached. His ministry is
accompanied with miracles, signs, wonders and prophecies. He has written
several books, and is the host of a household television program called “The
Shepherd’s Touch”. He is a regular speaker at Christian Conferences, Seminars
and Crusades within and outside the country. His preaching and messages
communicate life, deliverance, total restoration, prosperity, healing and
manifestation of the miraculous.
Nicholas Eze, the founder and general overseer of Christ for
the World Mission Incorporated with headquarters in Calabar, is another
pragmatic preacher. Eze founded the church in the late 1970s with the main
objective of reaching the younger generation with the gospel. Over the years,
the Abasi Obori, Calabar headquarters of the church is being besieged by
miracle seekers and people who seek deliverance from powers of darkness. Christ
for the World Mission has now spread to many villages and cities in eastern
Nigeria. Eze is basically a holiness preacher and Bible teacher.
Idem Ikon, the founder of Revival Valley Ministries with
headquarters in Calabar, was an undergraduate of the University of Ife before
he quit school to start preaching. He has been very popular among university
students and young people who have been largely reached by his work. Ikon is a
respected guest speaker and has featured in many international conferences
across Africa
Alexander Ekewuba, the founder of Overcomers Christian
Mission, Owerri, is another powerful man of God in Nigeria. Ekewuba is known
for his miracles and demolition of demon-infested institutions in and around
Owerri.
The most prominent were the notorious Owerre Ebeiri traditional
institution that thrives on the killing of human beings at the event of the
death of the Eze and the installation of a new one. It was Ekewuba and his
pastors that demystified the barbaric culture at the invitation of Chidi
Uzomah, a lecturer at the Imo State University, Owerri and the heir-apparent.
He, in fact, liberated the community from the demonic bondage which had existed
for years.
Pastor Patrick Anwuzia of Zoe Ministries is noted for his
no-holds-barred prosperity preaching. He heads the Zoe ministry spread across
Nigerian cities and some other foreign countries. He describes himself as a
strategic preacher of practical Christianity.
Evangelist Helen Ukpabio, the founder of Liberty Gospel
Church, is another female minister of the gospel. She has carved a niche for
herself at evangelising through filmmaking than in physically preaching the
word. As an actress, it was easy for her to use her acting to send out
inspirational messages to her growing audience. – Films such as From Grass to
Grace, The Price, Power to Bind and Wasted Years, are a soap box for believers.
Originally a member of the Olumba Olumba fraternity, Ukpabio has published two
books against the sect: “The Seat of Satan Exposed” and Unveiling the Mysteries
of Witchcraft. Barely four years old in her new-found ministry, has Ukpabio
established 18 other branches in the country.
Lazarus Muoka is a Nigerian pastor, minister and author. He
is the founder and General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival
Movement. Lazarus Muoka was born into a Catholic family in Mgbidi in Imo State
where he went on to finish his primary and secondary school education. In 1975,
he moved into Lagos and worked for some time under a company before starting up
his own business which he did until he gave his life to Christ as a full
Christian.Lazaraus Muoka claimed to have had many dreams from God in 1994
prompting him to pull out from the church he was serving as a pastor and set up
his own church. Shortly after pulling out, he set up The Lord’s Chosen
Charismatic Revival Movement with the aim of “preaching the undiluted word of
God”. The church which started with a few pioneer members has gone on to become
one of the most popular churches in Nigeria.
Apostle Joseph Agboli, is the General Overseer of
rapidly-growing Pentecostal church, the Victorious Army Ministries
International (VAM), Lagos.
Apostle Agboli is a speaker that often goes to preach in the
different parts of the world. He is very charismatic and is full of energy
which passes on to the people listening to his sermons. He has many years of
experience of preaching given that he is teaching many people coming from different
background
With over 15 years in ministry, Joseph Agboli is a leading
voice in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ that God wants us to lead and
succeed in every area of living across the globe through his resources such as
television, radio broadcast, publications , seminar and books. A highly sought
after conference speaker, Agboli has impacted millions of people around the
world.
Bishop Tom Samson is the general overseer of Christ Royal
Family Churches (an 100 acres city) with international headquarters Royal City,
Ota and branches in Lagos (Egbeda, Ikeja, Festac, Ojokoro, Ikorodu) Abuja, Port
Harcourt, London (U.K). The church which began as a fellowship in the year 1986
by Bishop Dr. Tom Samson as a year one student in the then Bendel State
University, Ekpoma, Edo State. It later transformed into a Church in December,
1991, with five members and in a rented apartment.
Pastor Ituah Ighodalo is the founder of Trinity House, a
non-denominational, free flow worship center powered with a vision to build
leaders, professionals, and leaders to be.
The church has its vision “Changing Lives, Fulfilling
Destines, and Transforming Nations”, and its mission is “To build a people of
change, influence, and impact; For people to take their various leadership
roles and fulfill their purpose on earth; To make the world a better place
where everyone can fit in; And to bring the impact of Christianity beyond
Christians and the church into the larger society”.
Pastor Ituah gave his life to Christ in 1993 and was
ordained pastor in 1995 by The Redeemed Christian Church of God. He has worked
as Associate Pastor of Freedom Hall, (later renamed Hope Hall) as well as the
City of David Parishes of R.C.C.G. and has been involved in international
missions, helping to pioneer several Redeemed Christian Church of God parishes
abroad. He was the Parish Pastor of RCCG Christ Church for 10years before moving
out to start the Trinity house church.
Prophet Olanrewaju Bankole Moses is the general oversee of
Christ Word Gospel Ministry, prophetic ministry located in Pipe line area of
Idimu Lagos. He is one of the most sort after preachers in the world today and
has traveled to over 10 nation’s preaching the gospel and healing the sick,
setting the captives free, helping the poor through Gods word prosperous
,restoration, salvation and unimaginable testimonies to thousands around the
world.
Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters International Christian
Centre, a Pentecostal church founded in December 2003, has proving that with
faith, determination, focus and the right team, anything is possible, what
started with just a roomful of people has grown to be the most desirable place
of worship in Lagos, with worship centres on the mainland and island, drawing
in thousands of people at 5 amazing services.
Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin Burutu is the founder and head
Prophet of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry (CMDM), Warri, Delta State,
Nigeria. He founded the church on 3 April 2010.
Before setting up his church, he was a member with Mountain
of Fire and Miracles Ministries. His church, Christ Mercyland Deliverance
Ministry, which began as a morning devotional worship centre in 2010, has over
fifteen thousand members and is still growing
Chris Okafor, popularly referred to as The Oracle, is a
Christian minister, televangelist and faith healer with particular emphasis on
dealing with supposed foundations and altars. He is leader and founder of
Mountain Of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, also known as Liberation City.
When it comes to impacting human lives, besides his primary
spiritual assignment, Okafor is a giver, providing succor and empowering the
underprivileged with skills acquisition, scholarship via The Chris Okafor
Humanity Foundation. He has received numerous recognitions, notably The Most
accurate Seer of the Year.
Okafor is widely travelled and known across Africa and
beyond by the vehicle of his mandate, Chris Okafor World Outreach Ministry
(COWOM), which has taken the message of liberation to countless homes in
crusades and via the Liberation TV.
Prophet Emmanuel Omale is the General overseer of Divine
Hand of God Prophetic Ministries worldwide with headquarters in Garki Area 1,
Abuja. Obeying the Divine call, Prophet Emmanuel Omale started a ministry that
he prophetically called “Hand of God Ministry”. The ministry which started very
small with few members has today grown beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Primate Theophilus Olabayo, founder of the Evangelical
Church of Yahweh Worldwide has equally been named in such fashion for his
predictions. He started on a sound footing about the same time with the likes
of such famous prophets of God as Professor Godspower Oyewole; Dr. Gabriel
Okunzua, a notable parapsychologist; Prophet Samuel Adewole of the Celestial
Church of Christ, and Primate Theophilus Olabayo of the Evangelical Church of
Yahweh. And like Olabayo did in those days when prophetic outbursts were such
that conveyed a vent of colour, wild excitement and admiration, defining the
beauty of the seasons, Ayodele proudly still carries the torch of spiritual
evangelism proclaiming the glory of God to the benefit of mankind. He also
enjoys the rare uniqueness of a regular critic of CAN, the umbrella body of
Christians in Nigeria which to him still falls short of leading by example.
Ayodele’s reputation is such that spreads across the world and his prophetic
accuracy remains ever intact in its unique integrity.
Joshua Iginla is the leader and founder of Champions Royal
Assembly. A Christian organisation located in Kubwa-Abuja. A televangelist and
philanthropist, known for given out fleet of cars to actors and celebrities,
credited with accurately predicting the defeat of Governor Kayode Fayemi of
Ekiti state and the victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state
Taiwo Odukoya is a Nigerian Pentecostal pastor, public
speaker and author. He is the senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church,
Ilupeju, Lagos, Nigeria, a Church with a membership strength of over 8,000
people Prior to his call to the ministry in 1994, Odukoya worked for 12 years
as a petroleum engineer with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC).
In 2006, Taiwo Odukoya was voted one of the 12 most
inspiring leaders in Nigeria in a survey conducted by Leadership &
Lifestyle (a London-based magazine).
Odukoya proclaims a firm belief in the role of the church in
the community and expresses it through several outreach projects including a
hospital, an orphanage, a school for destitute children, a farm, a water
project which provides boreholes at strategic locations for people who have no
access to clean and portable water and a skill acquisition and entrepreneurial
institute for the less privileged On April 19, 1997, Taiwo Odukoya set up
Discovery for Men and Discovery for Women, non-denominational outreaches to men
and women designed to help them maximize their God-given potentials. These
outreaches reach out to hundreds of thousands of men and women annually through
quarterly rallies, mentorship programs] and a vocational center to equip them
with technical and practical life skills.
In March 2014 he was named by Evan Carmichael as one of the
Top 100 Leadership Experts to Follow on Twitter.
Godman Akinlabi is the lead pastor of The Elevation Church,
Nigeria.
Godman Akinlabi started his pastoral ministry at Daystar
Christian Centre, where he served in different capacities over a period of
twelve (12) years. At Daystar Christian Centre, he held various pastoral
positions, which included ushering pastor, teacher, preacher and Director of
Pastoral Care. He serves on the faculty of Daystar Leadership Academy (DLA),
where he facilitates Leadership Development courses.
On 28th December, 2010, the Senior Pastor of Daystar
Christian Church, Sam Adeyemi, commissioned The Elevation Church, of which
Godman Akinlabi has since been its lead pastor.Apart from his desire for
winning souls, Akinlabi is passionate about the role of the Church in the
positive transformation of Nigeria, and Africa in general. His mandate has
always been to ‘Make Greatness Common’.
He is the convener of Vantage Forum, an entrepreneurial
advancement initiative held annually, which is “focused on empowering
individuals to achieve the highest levels of distinction in their businesses
and careers through empowerment platforms such as business seminars, workshops
and mentorship programmes.”
Godman holds a special Twitter event every Friday with
hashtag #MrMrsBetterHalf, a conversation which is focused on sharing practical
tips on building godly relationships. The hashtag has featured on ‘The top 100
British “trending topics” on Twitter.
In July 2016, he facilitated and launched
‘BelieversConnect’, an application developed with a view to connecting
single-status Christians “with similar desires for a successful marriage.
Based on the appeal of his sermons to a demographic
population largely dominated by youths, he was featured as one of the five most
influential pastors in Nigeria.
Lawrence Onochie is the lead pastor of The Kings Heritage
Church, Nigeria
He became born again in 1987 through the ministry of Bishop
Mike Okonkwo at The Redeemed Evangelical Mission church after a delinquent
lifestyle. In 1988, he pastored a fellowship called ‘The Royal Priesthood
Family’ and further went on to become a pastor of ‘Youths Aflame Christian
Outreach’ (YACO), a revolutionary youth ministry which was an amalgamation of
three different youth ministries between 1989-1991. Between 1991-1993 he also
served as the Pastor of ‘El-shaddai Club’, a campus fellowship in Anambra State
University of Science and Technology.
In 1994, Lawrence Onochie served in the birthing process of
House On The Rock Church, where he served in different capacities over a period
of seven (7) years. At House On The Rock Church, he held various pastoral
positions, which included Pastor in charge of the Music Ministry, Coordinator
PETRA Coalition, Director of Counseling and Director of Missions.
On 11th November, 2001, the General Overseer of The Redeem
Evangelical Church, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, commissioned The The Kings Heritage
Church, of which Lawrence Onochie has since been its Senior pastor. Apart from
his desire for winning souls, Lawrence is passionate about the role of youths
in the positive transformation of Nigeria, and Africa in general. His mandate
has always been to ‘bring people from the back side to the front side’.
He is the convener of Discovery for Youths, a youths
Empowerment initiative held annually, which is “focused on raising a new breed
of dynamic young leaders in Nigeria.
Bishop Chris Kwakpovwe is a dynamic man of God with strong
prophetic, healing, preaching and teaching ministries. He is a qualified
pharmacist (1983) from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University)
in Nigeria. By the grace of God, he is the founder of the various Manna Prayer
Mountain (MPM) worldwide. A man with a unique heart of compassion and a strong
vision born out of the deep furnace of affliction, he believes that toil (hard
work), stubborn determination, daily solitude and prayers are the engine rooms
of every true-life success story! This is Bishop Dr. Chris, the author and
publisher of the daily faith lifter, the daily terrorist of Satan/his cohorts
and the amazing daily dream lifter – Our Daily Manna!
No doubt, Ibadan- based Mount Zion Faith Ministries is
Nigeria’s foremost and biggest drama ministry.
Evangelist Mike
Bamiloye. The drama ministry actually brought a revolution to the gospel movie
sector in Nigeria. Evangelist Bamiloye’s talents and creativity are outstanding
as he writes the scripts of all his movies and drama series, which has earned
him so much respect. The popular movie evangelist is however achieving this
feat with the joint effort of his wife, Gloria, with whom he has been able to
build a brand which has not only gained recognition in Nigeria but also on the
global scene.
They have a very inspiring success story as they both grew
the group from the scratch with barely little money to finance their project.
Evangelist Mike Bamiloye actually started the ministry when he was 25 years
old, and since them, he has not had any course to look back.
Apostle Arome Osayi is the Founder of Remnant Christian
Network (RCN), a non-profit Christian organisation with network of Apostolic
centres, Churches and Mission outreaches in Nigeria and Europe.
Remant Christian Network is a non denominational ministry
based in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
Apostle Arome Osayi believes his core mandate is to strive
for the rebirth of apostolic christianity in our generation. He is passionate
about the preservation of biblical doctrine and living out the truth of God’s
word as it is in the Holy Scripture.
A skillful and sound teacher of God’s word with strange
apostolic and prophetic manifestations. He teaches and leads the body of Christ
in strategic prayer and intercession for our land and the people. The prayer
anointing upon his life is contagious. mere listening to his sermons and
sitting under his ministrations propel people to the life of prayer and
intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
His vision is to equip ministers of the gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ in Africa and Europe to become effective in the work of the
ministry.
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