Christ Embassy

Last updated
Christ Embassy
Classification Evangelicalism
Theology Neo-charismatic movement
RegionWorld
Headquarters Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
Founder Chris Oyakhilome
Origin1987
Official website www.christembassy.org

Christ Embassy (also known as LoveWorld Incorporated or Believers' Loveworld) is a megachurch and Christian denomination founded in 1987 by Chris Oyakhilome who hails from Edo State, Nigeria.

Contents

The Church, with its headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, has since become a global network of churches, with congregations in many countries. By 2019 the church had 145 branches on five continents. The Church has ministries in Canada,Ghana,Nigeria, South Africa, the United States, and the United Kingdom. [1] [2]

History

The church started with a prayer group led by Chris Oyakhilome, at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, while he was studying architecture in 1987. [3] [4] The church celebrated its 30th anniversary in November 2017. [5] [6]

Several other ministries around the world participate in its programs and conferences including the International Pastors and Partners Conference (IPPC), which is held every November in Lagos, Nigeria; the International Cell Leaders' Conference (ICLC), which is held in the middle of the year; the International School of Ministry; the Healing School, etc. [7]

United Kingdom

Christ Embassy is a registered charity in the UK, established in 1996. [8] In July 2013, the Charity Commission launched an inquiry regarding the use of charitable funds; however, inspections of records did not resolve concerns about its financial management, and in August 2014, the Charity Commission appointed an interim manager to run the charity until 2016. [9] [1] British tax authorities withheld £2.8 million in Gift Aid tax refunds from the charity as they were concerned not all of the charity's income was being spent for charitable purposes. [10]

Australia

A branch of the Christ Embassy Church in Sydney was ordered to close for seven days in August 2021 after an illegal in-person service was conducted there during a COVID-19 lockdown. [11] The service was attended by 60 people. The pastor of the church had previously discouraged his followers from receiving COVID-19 vaccines. [12]

LoveWorld television stations

Christ Embassy runs seven TV channels, including LoveWorld TV, LoveWorld SAT, LoveWorld Plus, LoveWorld UK, LoveWorld Nigeria, LoveWorld India, and LoveWorld USA. [13] : 118  LoveWorld USA is run in partnership with Pastor Benny Hinn, who appears in many programs on the channel. [14]

LoveWorld UK

His UK TV channel was sanctioned twice in the UK for sharing misinformation about COVID-19, including suggesting that Covid was planned and vaccines included manipulative nanochips. [15]

LoveWorld USA

LoveWorld USA was an American Christian cable television network launched by Chris Oyakhilome and Benny Hinn in 2017. [16] [17] It was available on Charter Spectrum and DirecTV as well as other small cable operators in the U.S. Currently, LoveWorld USA has stopped cable broadcasting and is no longer available on DirectTV or Charter Spectrum, but is still available for streaming on its website.

Loveworld Publications

Oyakhilome's publishing house, Loveworld Publications,publishes his books, including ‘Rhapsody of Realities,’ a monthly Christian devotional that sells 2 million copies every month. [18]

Christ Embassy also has a book publishing firm called LoveWorld Publishing Ministry, and is a dedicated Christian Book Publishing firm reaching out to the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ with God's Word through books authored by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Televangelism</span> Use of radio and television to preach religion

Televangelism and occasionally termed radio evangelism or teleministry, denotes the utilization of media platforms, notably radio and television, for the marketing of religious messages, particularly Christianity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benny Hinn</span> American-Canadian evangelist (born 1952)

Toufik Benedictus "Benny" Hinn is an Israeli-born American-Canadian televangelist, best known for his regular "Miracle Crusades"—revival meeting or faith healing summits that are usually held in stadiums in major cities, which are later broadcast worldwide on his television program, This Is Your Day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Oyakhilome</span> Nigerian pastor (born 1963)

Christian Oyakhilome, known as Pastor Chris, is a Christian faith leader, preacher, author, philanthropist, televangelist and president of Loveworld Incorporated. He is recognized as the founding pastor of the Mega Church Christ Embassy and author of the daily devotional Rhapsody of Realities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries</span> Nigerian religious denomination

The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) is a Pentecostal denomination founded in Yaba, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria in 1989, now with churches in several countries. It was founded by Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya ("DKO"). Many publications on deliverance have been credited to Olukoya, such as the popular prayer book known as The Prayer Rain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deeper Christian Life Ministry</span> Church in Nigeria

Deeper Christian Life Ministry also known as Deeper Life Bible Church is an international Pentecostal Christian denomination with its headquarters, Deeper Life Bible Church Lagos, in Gbagada, Lagos. It is overseen by the General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi.

Martin PK is a South African singer, songwriter and actor. He is part of the Christ Embassy's LoveWorld Music and Arts Ministry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Edwards (gospel musician)</span> Nigerian Gospel musician

Frank Ugochukwu Edwards is a Nigerian artiste, producer, sound engineer, worship singer and songwriter from Enugu State. He is the founder and owner of the record label Rocktown Records, which is home to recording artists such as Edwards himself, Gil Joe, King BAS, Nkay, Dudu and, among others. He lives in Lagos, Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinach</span> Nigerian gospel singer (born 1972)

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ada Ehi</span> Nigerian gospel singer

Ada Ogochukwu Ehi, also simply known by her stage name Ada, 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.

Rozey also known as Rose Adjahore Esiso, is a Nigerian christian gospel singer and is also a member of Believers Love World also known as Christ Embassy.

Emmanuel Benjamin, known professionally as Eben is a Nigerian gospel singer, vocalist, and songwriter.

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.

References

  1. 1 2 Sam Burne James (12 August 2014). "Charity Commission appoints interim manager for evangelical church charity Christ Embassy". Third Sector. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  2. ↑ "The Family of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Revealed". Punch Newspapers. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
  3. ↑ T. A. Falaye (March 2015). "The Ministry of Christ Embassy, Lagos. Nigeria" (PDF). European Researcher. 92 (3): 230–236. doi: 10.13187/er.2015.92.230 . Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  4. ↑ Laurent Fourchard, André Mary, René Otayek, "Entreprises religieuses transnationales en Afrique de l'Ouest", Karthala Editions, France, 2005, page 470
  5. ↑ Krinsky, Alberto (2017-10-23). "A Special Message from Pastor Deola in Preparation for the IPPC 2017". Pastor Chris Live USA. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  6. ↑ IPPC 2017 with Pastor Chris - YOU Church is celebratint 30 years of BLW , retrieved 2019-09-27
  7. ↑ O, Paulinus (3 September 2014). "Revealed: Seven secrets of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome!". Theinfong. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  8. ↑ "Christ Embassy, registered charity no. 1059247". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
  9. ↑ "[Withdrawn] Charity Inquiry: Christ Embassy". GOV.UK. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  10. ↑ Weakley, Kirsty (18 February 2014). "Christian charity is subject to HMRC investigation". Civil Society. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  11. ↑ McPhee, Sarah (25 August 2021). "Seven-day ban on Sydney church after illegal sermon, $49,000 in fines". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  12. ↑ Reddie, Mark (25 August 2021). "Pastor who urged Sydney congregation to 'refuse every lockdown' hit with prohibition order". ABC News. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  13. ↑ Kalu, Ogbu (31 March 2008). African Pentecostalism: An Introduction. Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-19-971293-9.
  14. ↑ "About LoveWorld USA". Loveworld USA. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  15. ↑ "'We declare that lockdowns are over': Sydney pastor's COVID sermon before police raid". 7NEWS. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  16. ↑ Christ3mbassy (June 5, 2017). "LoveWorld USA launches new Christian TV Network!".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ French, Jae. "About". LoveWorld USA.
  18. ↑ Nsehe, Mfonobong. "The Five Richest Pastors In Nigeria". Forbes. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.