Africans view the wealth of men of God from different perspectives. While some think there’s nothing bad living a good life filled with abundant wealth, others believe men of God are just supposed have enough, and that their calling doesn't require luxury spending.

Here are the five pastors Forbes think are the richest in Africa.

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1. Bishop David Oyedepo

Affiliation: Living Faith World Outreach Ministry, aka Winners Chapel

Estimated net worth: [size=18pt]$150 million[/size]

David Oyedepo is Nigeria’s wealthiest preacher. Ever since he founded the Living Faith World Outreach Ministry in 1981, it has grown to become one of Africa’s largest congregations. The Faith Tabernacle, where he hosts three services every Sunday, is Africa’s largest worship center, with a seating capacity of 50,000. Oyedepo owns four private jets and homes in London and the United States. He also owns Dominion Publishing House, a thriving publishing company that publishes all his books (which are often centered on prosperity). He founded and owns Covenant University, one of Nigeria’s leading tertiary institutions, and Faith Academy, an elite high school.

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2. Chris Oyakhilome

Church: Believers’ Loveworld Ministries, a.k.a Christ Embassy

Estimated net worth: [size=18pt]$30 million – $50 million[/size]

Last year, the charismatic preacher was at the center of a $35 million money laundering case in which he was accused of siphoning funds from his church to foreign banks. Pastor Chris pleaded no wrongdoing and the case was eventually dismissed. His church, Christ Embassy, boasts more than 40,000 members, several of whom are successful business executives and politicians. Oyakhilome’s diversified interests include newspapers, magazines, a local television station, a record label, satellite TV, hotels and extensive real estate. His Loveworld TV Network is the first Christian network to broadcast from Africa to the rest of the world on a 24 hour basis.

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3. Temitope Joshua

Church: Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN)

Estimated net worth: [size=18pt]$10 million – $15 million[/size]

Nigeria’s most controversial clergyman is also one of its richest and most philanthropic. T.B Joshua heads the Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN), a congregation he founded in 1987, which accommodates over 15,000 worshippers on Sundays. The Pastor has remained controversial for several years for his inexplicable powers to heal all sorts of incurable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, cancer and paralysis. For miracle-craving worshippers, it’s the perfect seduction. The church currently has branches in Ghana, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Greece. In the past three years, he has given over $20 million to causes in education, healthcare and rehabilitation programs for former Niger Delta militants. He owns Emmanuel TV, a Christian television network, and is close friends with Ghanaian President Atta Mills.

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4. Matthew Ashimolowo

Church: Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC)

Estimated net worth: [size=18pt]$6 million – $10 million[/size]

In 1992, Foursquare Gospel Church, a Nigerian church, sent Ashimolowo to open a satellite branch in London. But Pastor Matthew had other ideas and decided to set up his own church instead. Today, his Kingsway International Christian Center is reportedly the largest Pentecostal church in the United Kingdom. In 2009, the church posted profits of close to $10 million and assets worth $40 million. Ashimolowo earns an annual salary of $200,000, but his real wealth comes from varied business interests including his media company, Matthew Ashimolowo media, which churns out Christian literature and documentaries. Ashimolowo’s representatives did not respond to a request confirming his net worth and ownership of all these assets.

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5. Chris Okotie

Church: Household of God Church

Net worth: [size=18pt]$3 million -$10 million[/size]

Pastor Okotie made his first success as a popular pop musician in the 80s. He found the light, embraced the bible and set up the Household of God Church, one of Nigeria’s most flamboyant congregations. His 5,000 member church consists predominantly of Nollywood celebrities, musicians, and society people. He contested and lost Nigerian presidential elections for the third time this year under the Fresh Party, a political party he founded and funds. An automobile lover, he owns a Mercedes S600, Hummer and Porsche among several others.

[size=20pt] Let somebody shout halleluya [/size]

[size=18pt]Is this something we should be proud of? [/size]

Time to establish my own church..

Dap07: Time to establish my own church..

LoL

@Logicboy03: You tell me

Shollypopz:
LoL

@Logicboy03: You tell me

No. I dont think we should be proud of this.

Mega-rich pastors are not celebrated in the West for a reason- they are all seen to be fraudulent. Jesus was never mega rich.

America is the only exception but now, such pastors are facing a backlash

And some people will say Goverment should not tax these merchants of gospel
**waiting anxiously for my soaked Garri to rise***

Ganys: And some people will say Goverment should not tax these merchants of gospel
**waiting anxiously for my soaked Garri to rise***

A church is a non-profit organization. Why would it be taxed??

Shollypopz:
A church is a non-profit organization. Why would it be taxed??

Describe non-profit.

advocate666:
Describe non-profit.

An incorporated organization which exists for educational or charitable reasons, and from which its shareholders or trustees do not benefit financially. Any money earned must be retained by the organization, and used for its own expenses, operations, and programs. Many non-profit organizations also seek tax exempt status, and may also be exempt from local taxes including sales taxes or property taxes.

Source: http://www.investorwords.com/3331/non_profit_organization.html#ixzz2FgxFG7N0

I am so proud of all of em. Many people expect pastors to be poor or average but i tell you, this guys are not just pastors, they are sophisticated investors. God knows i love oyedepo, he is versatile and has a lot of investments in other sectors, that's how to give back to the community. Bottom line is that, i love rich people and going to be one of them soon.

Shollypopz:

An incorporated organization which exists for educational or charitable reasons, and from which its shareholders or trustees do not benefit financially. Any money earned must be retained by the organization, and used for its own expenses, operations, and programs. Many non-profit organizations also seek tax exempt status, and may also be exempt from local taxes including sales taxes or property taxes.

Source: http://www.investorwords.com/3331/non_profit_organization.html#ixzz2FgxFG7N0

point 1. Educational or Charitable? How are any of those churches either of these?

2. Shareholders do not profit. Well Oyedepo is most def profiting from working for God.

Praise the Lord for his blessings upon his labourers

Xtainity is but a chamber of commerce

i'm not feeling the fireworks, until the thread enters frontpage

safarigirl: point 1. Educational or Charitable? How are any of those churches either of these?

2. Shareholders do not profit. Well Oyedepo is most def profiting from working for God.

Praise the Lord for his blessings upon his laborers

Churches are viewed as charity organizations, and yep they do engage in charity work. Look @ that of TB Joshua.

Shollypopz:
Churches are viewed as charity organizations, and yep they do engage in charity work. Look @ that of TB Joshua.

noted, but save for TBJ, who else? I don't want to name names, but Oyedepo sure as hell isn't giving money to orphanages and visiting prisoners on xmas day. He's just extorting money from everyone, his congregation, parents of kids that attend his schools with the exorbitant fees...everyone!

Shollypopz:
You are wrong! The motive of a church is not to make money but to bring people to Christ

by making money from them?

Logicboy03:


by making money from them?

What are u saying?? No one is forced to give money to a church, you obey the words of God in the bible by paying ur tithe, simple!

Logicboy03:


No. I dont think we should be proud of this.

Mega-rich pastors are not celebrated in the West for a reason- they are all seen to be fraudulent. Jesus was never mega rich.

America is the only exception but now, such pastors are facing a backlash

Jesus might not have been mega rich but if ever he needed anything he would get it if he needed money he would get it from the mouths of fishes, poverty comes when one is not able to get what he wants, Jesus truly was not poor cause he got everything he wanted when He wanted it.

Heavenly102:


Jesus might not have been mega rich but if ever he needed anything he would get it if he needed money he would get it from the mouths of fishes, poverty comes when one is not able to get what he wants, Jesus truly was not poor cause he got everything he wanted when He wanted it.

Exactly the point.If Jesus had a need,it was met promptly.He didn't need to store up in a massive warehouse or a bank.Whether from the mouth of a fish or the lunch of a boy,his needs and that of countless others with him were met.The bible said blessed be God almighty who daily loadeth us with benefits.No one said a preacher shouldn't have the good things of life,but struggling to match Dangote naira for naira just for the kicks is not a way to let your life so shine before men that they'll see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven.Dangote is in business to make money and money alone.Are MOG's saying they have the same mandate as Dangote?

Even atheists who we say are Godless know how fleeting and vain riches are.It's sad we children of the kingdom can't see this life beyond our bank balances or the designer suits in our closets.

We really need a reminder of why christ came.

Candour:

Exactly the point.If Jesus had a need,it was met promptly.He didn't need to store up in a massive warehouse or a bank.Whether from the mouth of a fish or the lunch of a boy,his needs and that of countless others with him were met.The bible said blessed be God almighty who daily loadeth us with benefits.No one said a preacher shouldn't have the good things of life,but struggling to match Dangote naira for naira just for the kicks is not a way to let your life so shine before men that they'll see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven.Dangote is in business to make money and money alone.Are MOG's saying they have the same mandate as Dangote?

Even atheists who we say are Godless know how fleeting and vain riches are.It's sad we children of the kingdom can't see this life beyond our bank balances or the designer suits in our closets.

We really need a reminder of why christ came.

I'm an atheist but God bless you.

Logicboy03:


I'm an atheist but God bless you.

Modesty,contentment and reason-ability have no religion so i applaud wherever i find them.

Atheist or not,God bless you too my brother

Adeboye isnt among the top 5?
Wonders.

Solomon was rich, why can't my Pastor be rich also?

Heavenly102: Solomon was rich, why can't my Pastor be rich also?

Solomon has 700 wives, why cant your pastor have the same amount of wives also?


Dumbazz