News
Bishop David Oyedepo Faces Scrutiny from Charities Commission (UK) Over Church’s Finances
Packed into a disused school in Dartford, Kent, a thousand worshippers threw their arms in the air at the prospect of hearing the gospel according to Nigeria’s richest preacher.
The congregation at the Winners’ Chapel International, one of the fastest growing Pentecostal churches in Britain, roared and sang as a warm-up act hollered “shout Allelujah!” through an echoing amplifier.
Thousands hear sermons by Nigerian bishop David Oyedepo as UK Winners’ branch receives £16m in tithes from followers
Backstage Bishop David Oyedepo, a 58-year old man in a crisp light cream suit with a beaming smile and a personal fortune estimated by Forbes at over £90m, approached the main hall encircled by his entourage to give his first sermon of a marathon of services dubbed the 2013 European Winners’ Convention, which ends on Saturday.
More than 5,000 pentecostalists are expected to absorb Oyedepo’s prosperity gospel and it is a congregation that is proving ever more generous towards the Lagos-based preacher. Oyedepo’s UK branch has received more than £16m in tithes between 2008 and 2011. Over £1m of that money has been returned to his Nigerian operation.
As the worshippers arrived – mostly Nigerians and west Africans living in Britain – they were given credit card forms to make donations, inscribed with a verse from Corinthians: “God loveth a cheerful giver.”
But the booming British operation of Oyedepo, who flies on private jets and runs a 50,000-seat mega church in Lagos, is being looked at by the Charity Commission. The regulator is examining an allegation that charitable funds have been misapplied and concerns about the reputational management of the charity and conflicts of interest.
The inquiries “regarding the charity’s management and policies” are ongoing, a spokeswoman for the regulator said. “We have considered documents and information shared by the trustees and our case is continuing.”
It is not clear which aspect of the church’s management the regulator is looking into. The charity behind the church, World Mission Agency, has £8.5m in assets and large sums are paid back to Nigeria. In 2011, £663,532 was “donated by the congregation … for onward transmission to the world headquarters in Nigeria”, accounts show. The previous year the payment to the Living Faith Church amounted to £324,683. In 2009 £149,000 was sent “for charitable activities in Africa”.
Other payments from the cash donated each week by churchgoers include £192,000 in 2009 and 2010 as “welfare assistance” for unspecified “certain members of the church”.
Named charitable donations are smaller and include £10,500 to Great Ormond Street Children’s hospital, £9,000 to Christian Aid for the Haiti earthquake appeal and £2,500 to charities in Lewisham.
Meanwhile, Oyedepo’s movement thrives in line with a trend of booming Pentecostalism in the capital driven in part by immigration from Africa.
Around 450 new Pentecostal churches have opened in London in the past eight years and close to a quarter of a million people attend regularly – up 50% since 2005, according to research by church consultant Peter Brierley.
Ahead of the appearance of the Nigerian bishop – affectionately known as “Papa” – the main worship hall resounded to praise for the Lord, women shook tambourines, while in side chapels smart-suited men spoke in tongues. Worshippers are bussed in to the 8am and 6pm services from 15 different locations across Essex, Kent, and London.
Max Blaise, 36, an unemployed man living near Heathrow, said he was taking inspiration from God to help him start a business.
“Abraham had a company,” he said. “Even Adam, because God created the garden of Eden and told him to manage it. So in a sense it was a business for him to manage.”
Daniel Onyekhchi, a 35-year-old businessman from Abuja in Nigeria, cautioned against seeing the Winners’ Chapel as a uniquely Nigerian phenomenon. “It is a church for everyone,” he said.
Joel Edwards, a senior figure in the British evangelical movement and director of the Micah Challenge which is running Exposed, a global anti-corruption campaign directed at churches, business and government, applauded the generosity of congregations such as that of the Winners’ Chapel. But he challenged all church leaders to be more transparent.
“All of us have a growing concern about any kind of mercenary response that puts cash at the centre of Christian faith,” he said.
“I challenge any movement, including Winners, to be open and account for its money wherever it goes because it comes originally from hard-working faithful people.”
Winners’ Chapel declined to comment.
Waysteam — In a world where ministry is no longer limited by geography or walls, technology has opened up new ways to preach, teach, and reach hearts across the globe. Waystream, a Nigerian-founded spiritual content live-streaming platform, is designed specifically for churches, ministries, and Christian broadcasters.
Waystream provides a simple yet powerful platform to stream sermons online, host live prayer sessions, deliver Bible studies, and share faith-based audio messages to a local and global audience — all without the high costs or tech-heavy demands of video streaming.
With Waystream, any ministry can start audio broadcasting immediately with a laptop or mobile phone. Currently serving over 40,000 users broadcasting to millions of listeners across the globe, Waystream provides features that meet the needs of the modern church, offering the ability to:
Launch a custom audio channel for your church or fellowship
Receive donations directly through your stream page
Store sermons for midweek listening or small group sharing
Schedule future services and weekly teachings
Allow real-time listener interaction for prayer requests or encouragement
Most importantly, Waystream supports local payment audio platforms, so churches can subscribe using Nigerian Naira with no international card stress. The platform also offers embedded links for easy sharing on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and email.
Waystream has flexible plans suitable for all ministry sizes:
Talk Free: Great for new or small fellowships
Talk Lite: Unlimited daily streaming for budget-conscious ministries
Talk Pro: Scheduling, donations, and archiving included
Talk 24/7: Best for ministries running daily radio or devotional broadcasts
More than a platform, Waystream is a religious broadcasting platform that puts the Gospel within earshot of those who need it. Whether you’re in Lagos or Lome, Aba or Atlanta, you can now reach souls with clarity, simplicity, and faith.
Visit www.waystream.io to start your 14-day free trial. Because ministry doesn’t need a building — just a willing voice and the right tools to send it forth.
Pastor Emmanuel Iren of Celebration Church International is set to release his debut movie “What About Us?”, out in cinemas on July 12, and we’re loving it!
Full episode of the show on #ThePraiseworldPodcast available everywhere you listen to your podcasts.
https://youtu.be/x5gRe6PI3vg
Annatoria who has been buzzing about being on the Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin “Kingdom Tour” for the last couple of weeks has suddenly pulled out for personal reasons.
Why exactly did she pull out of the tour?
Listen to full episode of the show on #ThePraiseworldPodcast available everywhere you listen to your podcasts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa4LGOKFOGc
A Modern Reimagining of Timeless Biblical Narratives: “DISTORIA: Bible Stories” by Tola Omoniyi
Tola Omoniyi, media entrepreneur and founder of Praiseworld Radio, proudly announces the release of his debut book, “DISTORIA: Bible Stories.” This innovative collection reimagines 30 classic Biblical stories, breathing new life into them with contemporary context to captivate today’s readers.
Many are familiar with Bible stories, but how many truly grasp their meaning? Often, these stories seem distant and unrelatable due to their ancient language and context. Tola Omoniyi’s acclaimed podcast, “Telling Bible Stories with TOLA,” launched five years ago and spanning over five seasons, has successfully bridged this gap by presenting these timeless tales in a modern, engaging manner.
Inspired by the podcast’s success, Tola decided to extend his reach to book lovers. “Seeing the impact of the podcast and how it inspired my listeners, I wanted to spread these stories to a wider audience, those who would rather read a book than listen to a podcast,” he explains.
“DISTORIA: Bible Stories” is far from a simple retelling. Tola’s vibrant prose and compelling storytelling bring a fresh perspective to these ancient narratives, making them feel immediate and relevant. He skillfully bridges the past and present, exploring the depths of Biblical values in a way that speaks directly to the soul and resonates with today’s world. Each story is followed by practical lessons and the original scriptural reference.
“Whether you’re a seasoned believer or a curious seeker, ‘DISTORIA’ promises to captivate, inspire, entertain, and challenge you in unexpected ways,” says Tola Omoniyi. “Dive in and relive ancient experiences that speak to our contemporary world like never before.”
Purchase “DISTORIA: Bible Stories” here: https://linktr.ee/tolaomoniyi
- Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2RD3QGC
- Kobo https://www.kobo.com/pl/en/ebook/distoria-bible-stories
For Nigerian readers
• Roving Heights https://rhbooks.com.ng/product/distoria-bible-stories/ and Roving Heights bookstores (Lagos and Abuja)
About the Author:
Tola Omoniyi is a dynamic media entrepreneur, celebrated for his roles as a Radio/TV and Podcast host, Public Speaker, Event Compere, and Communications Expert. He has significantly influenced the Nigerian church community, earning spots among the 100 Most Influential Nigerians in Church by YNaija! in 2021 and being named one of the Top 100 most influential Nigerian gospel personalities by GospelXperience in 2023.
In 2012, Tola founded Praiseworld Radio, Africa’s leading online gospel radio station, and hosts the award-winning ‘The Praise O’Clock Show.’ His innovative approach has reshaped gospel broadcasting. Tola also hosts several podcasts, including The Praiseworld Podcast, The Afrogospel Podcast, and Telling Bible Stories with TOLA, the latter inspiring this book.
Follow Tola Omoniyi on social media: @tola_omoniyi
Contact Information:
For more information about the book or to request an interview with Tola Omoniyi, please contact:
• Email: praiseworldshow@gmail.com
• Instagram: @tola_omoniyi
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience “DISTORIA: Bible Stories” and embark on a journey that connects ancient wisdom with modern living. Purchase your copy today and share this transformative collection with friends and family.
More than just a concert, seminar or exhibition, Livingspring is a celebration of gospel music. An actual festival. There will be singing and dancing, colour, drama, exhibitions, art and history. You may also get to catch up with some of your favourite artistes. Still, the festival manages to deliver a lot more than that.
Dreams are born at Livingspring. Stars are made at Livingspring. You walk away from the Livingspring experience feeling totally energized. It’s the kind of atmosphere better experienced than retold. It’s why people have made the trip from all over the world for over 40 years.
There’s simply nothing like it!
Register below to be part of Livingspring 2024. Come loud, come colourful! Click here to register: https://livingspringcmf.com/register/
Do you enjoy playing background music while you pray and worship God? Would you like to charge up your atmosphere with songs that provoke you to spend more time in God’s presence?
We’ve carefully curated a Spotify playlist that will help you do just that.
It’s named Pray And Worship with over 4 hours of songs from anointed minstrels. This will be updated every week, so make sure to save this so as not to miss out.
Here is the direct link to the playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4duLZszOESUPHvzhmX7T06?si=9d461b43dd744be3
Feel free to share with your loved ones as an encouragement to pray and worship. We hope this blesses you and further fuels the fire on your prayer and worship altar, and helps you in spending longer time in God’s presence.
Incorporating worship songs into your prayer routine can enhance your spiritual experience and deepen your relationship with God. Whether as a gentle background melody or a soul-stirring anthem, let the power of music accompany you on your journey of faith and transformation.
Remember, we’re committed to keeping the pray and worship playlist fresh and vibrant, updating it weekly with new tracks to keep your spiritual journey dynamic and invigorating. So be sure to save this playlist and stay tuned for the latest additions.
To access the pray and worship playlist, click https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4duLZszOESUPHvzhmX7T06?si=9d461b43dd744be3 .
The pray and worship playlist contains songs by some of your favorite anointed minstrels, including Nathaniel Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Ebuka Songs, Moses Bliss, Sinach, Victoria Orenze, Mercy Chinwo, Greatman Takit, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi, Abbey Ojomu, Yadah, SteveHills, Peterson Okopi, Victor Thompson, Clement Whyt and many more.
This comes as an addition to our “Morning Starter” show on radio where we play similar songs to get your day started.
Follow us @praiseworld_ on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok for more updates. God bless you.
With Love from all of us at Praiseworld Radio
❤
The 2024 Grammy Awards saw Lecrae, Kirk Franklin, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tye Tribbettt, and Blind Boys of Alabama shine bright. See below the full list of winners for the gospel/Christian music categories.
Best Gospel Performance/Song
- Stanley Brown ft. Hezekiah Walker, Kierra Sheard & Karen Clark Sheard – God Is Good
- Erica Campbell – Feel Alright (Blessed)
- Zacardi Cortez – Lord Do It For Me (Live)
- Melvin Crispell III – God Is
- Kirk Franklin – All Things
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
- Blessing Offor – Believe
- Cody Carnes – Firm Foundation (He Won’t) [Live]
- Lauren Daigle – Thank God I Do
- for KING & COUNTRY ft. Jordin Sparks – Love Me Like I Am
- Lecrae & Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Your Power
- Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine – God Problems
Best Gospel Album
- Erica Campbell – I Love You
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Hymns (Live)
- Maverick City Music – The Maverick Way
- Jonathan McReynolds – My Truth
- Tye Tribbett – All Things New: Live In Orlando
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
- Blessing Offor – My Tribe
- Da’ T.R.U.T.H. – Emanuel
- Lauren Daigle – Lauren Daigle
- Lecrae – Church Clothes 4
- Phil Wickham – I Believe
Best Roots Gospel Album
- The Blackwood Brothers Quartet – Tribute to the King
- Blind Boys of Alabama – Echoes of the South
- Becky Isaacs Bowman – Songs That Pulled Me Through the Tough Times
- Brian Free & Assurance – Meet Me at the Cross
- Gaither Vocal Band – Shine: The Darker The Night The Brighter The Light
News
Tope Alabi, Ebuka Songs, Mike Abdul, Gordons to headline the second edition of Alimosho Arise, in Lagos
Alimosho Arise is a concert that seeks to mobilize people within its environment and beyond to the call for a better Nigeria. It is a night of praise, prayer, miracle and salvation. It’s a night of ‘songfare’ and warfare.
With a star-studded line up of performances from top Nigerian artistes including Tope Alabi, Ebukd Songs, Lilian Nneji, Bidemi Olaoba, Mike Abdul, Beejay Sax, Psalmos, and other gifted music ministers, it promises to be a night of high energy praise, worship, and diverse expressions of God with something for everyone. Also, top comedians like Gordons, Forever rfc, Asiri comedy, and Saco are set to crack your ribs with hilarious jokes.
The event will hold live in Alimosho LGA in Lagos State, on Friday, 19th January 2024 from 8pm. Venue is Calvary Bible Church, Church Street, End of Anjorin Street, Calvary Bus stop, Ikotun-Idimu road, Lagos.
The event will also be streaming to thousands of viewers all around the world on YouTube and Facebook on @cbcnigeria, with Dj Horphuray and Dj Mordu grinding the wheels of steels.
Get ready, for something is about to happen!
Be a part of this movement by spreading this message.
In His Steps Movement will be holding the 13th edition of its annual Youth Camp in Lagos, Nigeria from December 26 – 29. The IHS Camp is a flagship event that has traversed various Nigerian cities and has been transforming lives since its inception in 2011.
Known for delivering outstanding gospel projects, the In His Steps Movement has become synonymous with impactful initiatives such as the In His Steps magazine, The Judah Project, and the widely acclaimed Thr3e Podcast, that was previously syndicated across Nigerian and US radio stations, including Praiseworld Radio.
This year’s IHS camp promises to be an unforgettable experience, building on the success of previous editions that featured guest ministers like Pastor Ayo Okeowo, Florocka, Pastor Jimmy Odukoya, Tosin Sanni, Okey Sokay, Tola Omoniyi, among others.
The 2023 edition will continue this tradition of excellence, featuring an esteemed lineup of guest ministers, including Chimamaka Ige, Pastor Yele Adebiyi, Gaise Baba, Funmilola Banjoko, and more. The camp will offer three days of spiritual enrichment, fellowship and fun, providing a unique opportunity for young Christians to connect with fellow believers and be encouraged on their faith journey.
In His Steps camp has earned a reputation as the go-to event for young Christians, offering a transformative experience that goes beyond the ordinary. Participants can expect dynamic worship sessions, impactful teachings, lots of fun and a supportive community that fosters personal and spiritual growth.
You should watch this video for an insight into what to expect at the camp and visit their website: www.ihsmovement.org, for more information
Follow for updates on Instagram @ihs_mag
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