David Oyedepo is a Nigerian pastor, author, business magnate, architect and philanthropist. He is the founder of the David Oyedepo Ministries International, which birthed the Living Faith Church Worldwide among others.
Also, he is the Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota and Landmark University, Omu Aran. Additionally, he is the President of David Oyedepo Foundation.
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David Oyedepo Early Life
David Olaniyi Oyedepo was born on September 27, 1954 in Osogbo, Osun State. He was born to Ibrahim and Dorcas Oyedepo. David hails from Irepodun LGA, Omu-Aran, Kwara State. He was raised in a family of mixed faith as his father was a muslim while his mother attended the Cherubim and Seraphim church. However, his grandmother taught him christian values early as a child.
David attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin where he studied Architecture. Subsequently, he attended Honolulu University, Hawaii, USA and obtained Ph.D in Human Development.
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Christian Life
At age 15, David gave his life to Christ in 1969, through the influence of his secondary school teacher, Betty Lasher. And in the following year, he shared his first gospel message. Later, in order to concentrate on his missionary work, he resigned from the Federal Ministry of Housing, Ilorin.
David mentioned how he received a mandate from God in an 18-hour vision in May 1981. According to him, the Lord Said “The hour has come to liberate the world from all oppressions of the devil through the preaching of the word of faith, and I am sending you to undertake this task.” That same year, Liberation Faith Hour Ministries now Living Faith Church Worldwide was established.
Later, on September 17, 1983, David Oyedepo was ordained Pastor along with his wife, Faith by Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Also, the church was commissioned on the same day. Five years later, David Oyedepo was ordained a bishop. David’s teachings centers on the Word of Faith
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David Oyedepo Personal Life
David married Florence Abiola now Faith Abiola Oyedepo on 1982. They are blessed with four children; David Jnr, Isaac, Love and Joyce Oyedepo; and grandchildren.
His sons – David and Isaac are pastors ordained by Kenneth Copeland in 2007. And his two daughters are also involved in the ministry.
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Living Faith Church
David founded the Living Faith Church Worldwide also known as Winners’ Chapel International. It has branches in over 300 cities of the world. LFC started in Kaduna before moving to Lagos in July 1989 after an instruction from God.
The headquarters of Faith Tabernacle is a 17,000 acres facility known as Canaanland. It is also home to a 50,000-seater sanctuary recorded to be largest church auditorium in the world as at January 2008 in the Guinness Book of World Record.
Through the missionary arm of the church, World Mission Agency, the church established Dominion Publishing House which we will look at in details.
The church also owns Faith Academy, Covenant University, Kingdom Heritage Model School and Landmark University. It also launched the World of Faith Bible Institute where church leaders are taught christian principles.
The church is in the business of staring up God given potentials embedded in people of all race and nation. Additionally, the mission of the church is also to provide employment to thousands of people. The church currently employs more than 2000 people in Nigeria alone.
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David Oyedepo Foundation
Bishop Oyedepo established a charitable organisation, David Oyedepo Foundation, (DOF). It is a christian not-for-profit organisation committed to showing love to people as God commanded.
The foundation contributes to the development of Africa and believes that citizens of a particular country must take personal responsibility for the changes they wish for in their nation.
Basically, it focuses on education, social welfare, kingdom promotion, youth leadership and health. The foundation offers scholarship program to indigenes and residents of African countries who have been offered admission into Covenant and Landmark University.
David is the president of David Oyedepo Foundation. As at 2014, it is recorded that David and his wife have donated over N1 billion of personal fund to the foundation.
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Dominion Publishing House
Dominion Publishing House, a publishing arm of the ministry was officially commissioned on December 5, 1992 by Pastor Adeboye at National Arts Theatre, Lagos. DPH has millions of prints in circulation. Under the publishing firm, David has published many of his own books. Some of which includes;
- Anointing for Breakthrough, 1992
- Covenant Wealth, 1992
- Excellency of Wisdom, 1992
- Towards Excellence in Life and Ministry, 1992
- Releasing the Supernatural, 1992
- Overcoming Forces of Wickedness, 1994
- Breaking Financial Hardship, 1995
- The Blood Triumph, 1995
- The Healing Balm, 1996
- The Force of Freedom, 1996
- Breaking the Curses of Life, 1997
- Fulfilling Your Days, 1998
- Success In Marriage, 1999
- Towards Mental Exploit, 2000
- Word Encounters, 2003
- Amazing Restoration, 2003
- Mental Excellence: Testimonies of Career and Academic Exploits, 2003
- Success Systems, 2006
- On Eagles’s Wing: My First 30year Adventure in Ministry, 2013
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Awards And Recognition
Bishop David Oyedepo has received numerous awards most especially in recognition of his philanthropic activities across Africa. Some of them include:
- Honorary Doctor of Divinity, Bethel Graduate School of Technology, 1990
- Name Inscribed in the Jerusalem 3000 Scroll #102268, 1990
- Frontline Christian Author of the Year, ECOWAS International Gold Award, 1996
- Enlisted on International Who is Who of Intellectuals, International Biographical Centre, 13th Edition, 1998.
- Man of Dignity, Global Care International
- Recognition of Leadership in Enhancing Academic and Research Excellence in Higher Education, Southern University and A&M College, 2011
- Distinguished Award for Excellence in Education, Administration, and Leadership, Obafemi Awolowo University, 2012
- Business Leadership Award, Gtext Media And Investment Limited, 2018
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David Oyedepo Net Worth
According to Forbes in June 2011, David’s net worth was estimated at $150 million. He is the one of the wealthiest preacher in the world with so many investments within and outside the country.
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David Oyedepo Quotes
“There is no mountain anywhere. A man ignorance in his own mountain.”
“Your belief is what makes you, because you are the product of your thought…what you believe is what you become, no doubt.”
“If you have character, it will enhance capacity development. If you have capacity with character, you are on your way to becoming a great leader.”
“Anything about your life can be turnaround through praise.”
“What you hear determines how you think. How you think determines how you behave. And how you behave determines what you become.”
“You can’t dominate the world until you are dominated by God.”
“What you will become in life must first be seen in your mind.”
“Poverty is not a gift from God but a result of your action.”
“Every star is known to be a thinker and every committed thinker is bound to be a star.”
“Your delivery is the function of your insights.”
“The flow of divine wisdom stops where meekness stops.”
“Every divinely guided investment, will yield maximum reward.”
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Entrepreneurial Lessons From The Life Of David Oyedepo
David Oyedepo is a preacher and also doubles as a businessman. Under his leadership, the church has established many world-class institutions. Oyedepo is known for excellence in all he does.
Entrepreneurs should embrace excellence in their business pursuit. It is important to understand that whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well.
Commitment
David Oyedepo believes that commitment triggers creativity; creativity triggers productivity; and productivity triggers success. The same is true for entrepreneurship; staying committed to your business will bring out your creativity which will eventually spur you to success.
Entrepreneurship is a lonely journey, let us help you get through with it.
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1 thought on “Bishop David Oyedepo – Biography And Ministry Of A Billionaire Clergyman”
I am blessed by his story and am also elited in his life.