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Chris Oyakhilome | |
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Born | Christian Oyakhilome 7 December 1963 Edo State, Nigeria |
Occupation(s) | Pastor, faith healing minister, television host, author, philanthropist |
Known for | Global Evangelical Outreach |
Notable work | Founder, Loveworld Inc |
Spouse | Anita Ebhodaghe (m. 1991;div. 2016) |
Children | 2 |
Website | www |
Christian Oyakhilome (born 7 December 1963), known as Pastor Chris, is a Christian faith leader, preacher, author, philanthropist, [1] televangelist and president of Loveworld Incorporated. He is recognized as the founding pastor of the megachurch Christ Embassy and author of the daily devotional Rhapsody of Realities . [2] [3]
Oyakhilome also organises mass rallies and His "healing school" is held periodically every year in Nigeria and South Africa. [4]
Chris Oyakhilome was born on 7 December 1963 to Tim and Angelina Oyakhilome in Edo State, Nigeria. [5] He is the third child of 7 children and the first of two sons. He has five sisters and all of his siblings play active roles in Loveworld and Christ Embassy. [5] They are Beayeta Akhuemokhan (née Oyakhilome), Mercy Oyakhilome, Kenneth Oyakhilome, Linda Okocha (née Oyakhilome), Kathy Woghiren (née Oyakhilome) and Lovelina Osazuwa (née Oyakhilome). [6]
He attended Edo College, and on scholarship, gained admission into Bendel State University, which was later renamed Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma where he studied and obtained a first degree in Architecture. [7]
Oyakhilome's ministry began while he was a student on campus at Ambrose Alli University. As an undergraduate, he founded a youth ministry called Youth For Christ, which became the largest fellowship at Bendel State University. In one of his services, Oyakhilome gave an account of how the Vice Chancellor at the time attended his service once on Campus. [8]
Upon graduation in 1987, he started a church in Benin City and relocated to Lagos in 1989, where he established Christ Embassy. [7] [ failed verification ]As of February 2023 [update] , there were BLW Campus Fellowships and Christ Embassy Churches in higher institutions and major cities around the world; [9] [10] Oyakhilome's ministry has spread to the United Kingdom, the United States, Ghana and South Africa, [11] and has "healing school" sessions in South Africa, Lagos, and Canada. [4]
Oyakhilome also founded a Christian-based television network, which broadcasts worldwide from Africa. He also held the largest single-night event in Nigeria in 2006 with claimed 3.5 million people in attendance "Good Friday Miracle Night". [12] [ dubious – discuss ] Oyakhilome also hosts Higher Life conferences in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, the UK, the US, and Canada, [13] and organized the Night of Bliss South Africa event at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. [14] Oyakhilome also operates an International School of Ministry, [15] which held one of its Ministers' Network Conferences in 2016 with 5,000 ministers in attendance from 145 countries, in Johannesburg, South Africa. [16]
He runs an online prayer network using social media to send messages to Christians in several countries. He also operates a smartphone messenger called KingsChat. [17] In 2015, Oyakhilome was given an honorary doctorate from Ambrose Alli University [18] and Benson Idahosa University. [19] In 2017, Oyakhilome, in partnership with Benny Hinn, created the Christian cable channel LoveWorld USA. [20]
Oyakhilome has hosted several online programs including five editions of the Global Day of Prayer, with Benny Hinn, the first edition on 27 March 2020. Today, his ministry has a digital currency called Espee that members can use to make different transactions. [21] [ non-primary source needed ]
Chris Oyakhilome married Anita Ebhodaghe on 2 February 1991. They met as students at the university. Anita was also a pastor in Christ Embassy and was widely known as Pastor Anita. They later had two daughters, Sharon and Charlene. [22]
The couple filed for divorce on 9 April 2014. In an official release made by Pastor Anita's legal team, Attwaters Jameson Hill, the divorce was confirmed completed on 8 February 2016, and they stated, "Anita Oyakhilome would like to confirm that she is no longer involved in or part of Christ Embassy AKA Believers loveworld Inc." [23]
On 6 October 2018, Pastor Benny Hinn officiated the wedding ceremony of Pastor Chris' first daughter, Sharon, to Phillip Frimpong; a Ghanaian, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo as chairman of the occasion. [24] [25]
In 2011, Forbes estimated Oyakhilome's wealth as between $30 million and $50 million. [26]
Oyakhilome operates the Inner City Mission Project, which works to assist orphaned and indigent children in inner cities in several countries. [27] The organisation is under the auspices of the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International, which works to help the poor and those in the inner cities. The organisation sends relief materials to countries when disasters strike and works with government parastatals to improve social well-being.[ citation needed ]
The Chris Oyakhilome Foundation is one of the major sponsors of the inner city orphanage homes [28] in Africa managed by pushaboo, [29] an organisation spearheading the care of mothers and babies around the world.
Other agencies [30] supported by Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI) are the Volunteer Medical Corps, Trauma Care International Foundation, Inner City Mission for Children, Future Africa Leaders Foundation and the Bible for All Mission. [31]
In an inquiry started in 2013, the UK Charity Commission found there was "serious misconduct and/or mismanagement" in the administration of the "Christ Embassy", a charity associated with Oyakhilome and his church's activities. An interim manager was appointed to review the activities and governance of the charity, leading to a report that “the board of trustees appears to be fragmented” and “appear to have little appreciation of their roles, duties and obligations as Trustees”. The interim manager served until the appointment of a new Board of Trustees in 2016. Following the appointment of the new Board of Trustees, significant progress was made to address the governance and improve oversight and control of the charity. [32]
Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from Benson Idahosa University. [33] [34]
Honorary Doctorate Doctor of Science Award, Ambrose Alli University. [35]
In December 2023, he was named the Chancellor – Head of Government and Chairman Plenipotentiary of Weldios University. [36]
Oyakhilome has garnered attention for his advocacy of faith healing as a potential solution for HIV/AIDS. [37]
Oyakhilome has been accused of preaching the prosperity gospel and using his followers for money, stating that those who donate to his ministry will be rewarded with wealth, health. [38] However he has responded to criticism by stating that "true prosperity comes from spiritual growth and adherence to God's principles, not mere material accumulation. [39]
Oyakhilome also supports YouTube-propagated conspiracy theories, including a video he posted linking the Corona Virus with the 5G mobile network rollout and a conspiracy of the "New World Order." [40] He has preached against vaccines and has been accused of undermining efforts to eradicate serious infectious diseases. [41] He has also spoken against vaccines against malaria. [42]
Oyakhilome and his church have been accused of spreading anti-vaccine misinformation about HPV, polio and malaria vaccination [43] In 2021, the Oyakhilome-associated Loveworld Television Network was convicted of making false claims about the COVID-19 pandemic and for the same infraction, the television network was fined £125,000 by British regulators Ofcom.” [44] [45]
Oyakhilome is the author of Rhapsody of Realities, which is distributed monthly in several countries and also shared via social media platforms. [46] Below are the books written and the year published.
Benin City is the capital and largest city of Edo State, southern Nigeria. It is the fourth-largest city in Nigeria according to the 2006 census, after Lagos, Kano, and Ibadan.
Edo, officially known as Edo State, is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of the federal republic of Nigeria. As of 2022, the state was ranked as the 22nd most populous state (4,777,000) in Nigeria. The estimated state population is around 4,777,000 in 2022. Edo State is the 22nd largest State by landmass in Nigeria. The state's capital and largest city, Benin City, is the fourth largest city in Nigeria, and the centre of the country's rubber industry. Created in 1991 from the former Bendel State, it is also known as the heart beat of the nation. Edo State borders Kogi State to the north for 133 km and across the Niger River for 81 km to the northeast, Anambra State to the east for about four km across the Niger River, Delta State to the southeast and south for 350 km, and Ondo State to the west.
Esan people, or Esans, are an Edoid-speaking ethnic group who share a common culture and the Esan language. The Esan are traditionally known to be agriculturalists, trado-medical practitioners, mercenary warriors and hunters. They cultivate palm trees, Irvingia gabonensis (erhonhiele), Cherry (Otien), bell pepper (akoh) coconut, betel nut, kola nut, black pear, avocado pear, yams, cocoyam, cassava, maize, rice, beans, groundnut, bananas, oranges, plantains, sugar cane, tomato, potato, okra, pineapple, paw paw, and various vegetables.
Ambrose Alli University (AAU) is a state-owned university in Edo State, Nigeria. It was established in 1981 by the governor of Bendel State, Ambrose Folorunsho Alli. Initially known as Bendel State University, subsequently known as Edo State University, and finally changed to its present name in commemoration of Professor Ambrose Folorunsho Alli, AAU is accredited and recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The Ambrose Alli University Library houses the information resources for the institution.
Benson Idahosa University (BIU) is a private, Christian university in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Previously named Christian Faith University (CFU), it was renamed in honor of Archbishop Benson Idahosa, a Charismatic Pentecostal minister from Benin City, Nigeria, and reflects his evangelical beliefs. He was the first president of the university. The current president of Benson Idahosa University, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Faith Emmanuel Benson Idahosa, son of Benson Idahosa, is the Bishop of CGMi Faith Arena and Co-ordinator, Next Generation Leadership of the Church of God Mission.
Martin PK is a South African singer, songwriter and actor. He is part of the Christ Embassy's LoveWorld Music and Arts Ministry.
Christ Embassy is a megachurch and Christian denomination founded in 1987 by Chris Oyakhilome who hails from Edo State, Nigeria.
Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu, known professionally as Sinach, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and senior worship leader, serving in this capacity for over 30 years. She is the first singer-songwriter to top the Billboard Christian Songwriter chart for 12 weeks in a row. Her song "Way Maker" received three nominations and won the Song of the Year at the 51st GMA Dove Awards, making her the first Nigerian to win the Award. She also won the BMI song of the year, and in 2021 was recognized by the US Congress while on tour in the United States of America.
Osagie Ize-Iyamu is a Nigerian pastor, politician, and a former Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Edo state government. He was the gubernatorial candidate of the Edo state People's Democratic Party for the 2016 Edo state gubernatorial election. He is currently a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ize-Iyamu was the National Vice-Chairman, South-South Zone, of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Ada Ogochukwu Ehi, also simply known by her stage name Ada Ehi, is a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, recording and performing artist. She started her musical career at the age of 10 as a backup singer for child star Tosin Jegede. Since she professionally started her music career under Loveworld Records in 2009, she has increasingly gained local and international popularity through her songs and music videos.
Loveworld Records is an independent record label established by Chris Oyakhilome with the sole aim of discovering and developing gospel artists. Founded in 2009, the record label has gone on to groom and produce notable gospel musicians including Sinach, Frank Edwards, Joe Praize; among others.
Emmanuel Benjamin, known professionally as Eben is a Nigerian gospel singer, vocalist, and songwriter.
Heline Babiene Eweni is a Cameroonian activist and philanthropist helping vulnerable women and children and people with disability. Her philanthropy is noted by her support to people displaced by the Anglophone Crisis. Eweni became an orphan when she loss her both parents at a tender age. Her humanitarian services started by rendering community service through Exceptional Youth Initiative which focuses on free cleaning services in communities. Later, Eweni registered the organisation as a non-profit organisation.
Salau Aliu Olayiwola who is popularly called by his stage name Testimony Jaga was born on 9 March 1987, is a Nigerian Fuji, afro-pop recording and performing gospel artist, who started his gospel musical career from loveworld records under Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. Testimony Jaga gospel career was preceded by the release of the single: "Igara" which won him the "Artist of the Year" awards at The LIMA Awards 2019. His songs are mostly composed in English and Yoruba.
The Future Africa Leaders Award (FALA) is an annual prize awarded to 10 African youths who have contributed significantly in their local communities through innovation, societal education on local and global issues, developing solutions to combat societal issues, advocacy, social education and societal awareness. Each winner is given a grant of 10,000 USD and an outstanding winner among the 10 is given an additional 25,000 USD. Since inception, 110 youths from 28 countries have won this Award out of thousands of entries reviewed each year.
Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI), is a faith based non-profit, non-political, philanthropy and charity Non-Governmental Organisation founded by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome in 2008.
Moses Uyoh Enang, popularly known as Moses Bliss, is a Nigerian gospel singer, worship leader and songwriter. He is the founder of Spotlite Nation, a Nigerian record label. Bliss released his first single in January 2017 titled "E No Dey Fall My Hand" and rose to prominence with the 2019 song "Too Faithful". In 2020, he won the Loveworld International Music and Arts Award by Chris Oyakhilome for his song "You I Live for".
Rhapsody of Realities is a Christian daily devotional publication by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. It was first published January 2001 in English and by August 2022, it was reported to have been published in over 7,000 languages. In 2011, it distributed 2 million copies each month globally. During the celebration of its 20th year in print, the publishers reported the devotional has reached a global coverage of all 242 countries and territories of the world with over 3.6 billion copies circulated in 20 years.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Teaching Hospital formerly known as Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital is a medical facility located in Okada, Edo State, Nigeria. It is affiliated with Igbinedion University and serves as a significant center for medical education, patient care, and research in the region.