While many tongues continue to waggle as to why religious leaders should be excessively rich, many church pastors (and indeed their members) vehemently support and give reasons to why this is so; from talking about principles of the kingdom to applauding the courageous faith of these pastors.
Critics say the teachings of these pastors are contrary to the scriptures and a means of robbery. This is called the ‘prosperity gospel’ where riches are seen as a sign of God’s blessing. Critics believe this school of theology teaches that one can command God to prosper one financially by giving generously through tithing and seed sowing and then expect a larger financial increase in return. A major slogan used by followers and church members in defense of rich pastors is “These principles work for us! It works!” and while critics might still be out there shaking their heads, one thing is sure; it definitely has worked for their pastors. This is why we are here today. I bring you the list of the 10 richest pastors in Africa. We will count down from 10th position to the 1st. (You can call this Prize giving day)
It is not surprising that many pastors on this list come from a particular country I know very well. But let me not spill the beans, let’s go!
10 Richest Pastors in Africa
11. Pastor Christopher Ogheneborie Okotie
Used to be pop singer and Nigerian presidential candidate for the Fresh political party in the 2007 and 2019 elections where he canvassed to be adopted as a consensus candidate by other political parties to no avail, but that is not the point, Chris Okotie is the General Overseer of the Household of God church, a Lagos Pentecostal denomination of about 15,000 members.
Born on the 16th of June in Abraka, Delta state, he is one of Nigeria’s richest pastors with a net worth of $8-10 million, and a passion for luxurious cars you can’t help but notice, his car fleet includes such as a Rolls Royce Phantom and a Range Rover.
10. Lazarus Muoka
Lazarus Muoka is the founder of one of the largest churches in Nigeria called the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Movement. He was a businessman before he decided to start his own ministry. Lazarus Muoka claimed to have had many dreams from God in 1994 prompting him to pull out from the church he was serving as a pastor and set up his own church. From just a few pioneer members, this church has grown to be one of the most popular churches in Nigeria. His net worth is estimated to be about $5-8 million dollars.
9. Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo
He is the senior pastor of Kings Way International Christian Centre, a church with its headquarters in the United Kingdom. It is said that once upon a time, the Four Square Gospel Church in Nigeria sent Matthew Ashimolowo to start a branch in the U.K., and along the way, his own church came into being.
Born on the 17th of March 1972, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo is a televangelist whose program can be seen on the television broadcast of Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria, and even Europe. Majority of his wealth comes from Christian literature and documents and he is estimated to worth about 10 million dollars.
8. Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua
Popularly known as Pastor T.B Joshua. He is one of the most controversial pastors in Nigeria, founder of the Synagogue Church for all Nations and Emmanuel TV where many of his miracles are televised. He is known as YouTube’s most popular pastor with about 300 million viewers. He was born in Arigidi, Ondo state on the 12th of June, 1963. According to The Africa’s Report, he is one of the 50 most influential people in Africa with a net worth of $15 Million dollars.
7. Pastor Ray Macaulay
Pastor Ray Macaulay is the senior pastor of Rhema Bible Church and president of the International Federation of Christian Churches with headquarters in South Africa.
He is an author and televangelist with a daily broadcast called “A new day with Pastor Ray”. Even though Pastor Ray Macaulay is often associated with a controversial lifestyle, he has built an army of followers that accords him a net worth of $25 million.
6. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
He is the founder of the Believer’s love world incorporated, popularly known as Christ Embassy, but if that does not ring a bell, then the name ‘Rhapsody of Reality’ should. This is the popular devotional book which used to be in the names of both Pastor Chris and his wife, Anita Ebhodaghe until their divorce in 2016. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome was born on the 7th of December 1963 in Edo state. He has a publishing house, a record label that has produced many of Nigeria’s most popular gospel singers, television programs with millions of viewers, magazines, real estate and a church with a membership of over 40,000 to his name. His net worth is estimated to be about 50 million dollars
5. Prophet Uebert Angel
Uebert Angel is the second Zimbabwean to make it to the Forbes list and he did as one of the richest pastors in Africa. He is the general overseer of the Spirit Embassy church which was renamed to Good news church in 2015. Uebert Angel is described as an energetic pastor who believes God wants his followers to be rich and he sets such a good example with a net worth of $60 million dollars. Born on September 6, 1978, in Masvingo Zimbabwe, he is a televangelist, preacher, and businessman.
4. Bishop Ayodele Oritsejafor
Founder of World of Life church located in Warri, Nigeria and the former president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Christian Fellowship of Nigeria. His net worth is estimated to be $120 million; he has an investment in banking, real estate, transportation and also media.
3. Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye
He is popularly known as Daddy G.O. Pastor Enoch Adebayo is the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God. He is a professor of Mathematics, born on the 2nd of March 1942 in Osun state. He owns educational facilities such as the Redeemers University, a television channel called Dove T.V where his programs are televised. His private jet is registered as E. Adeboye / Emmanuel Aviation. He is also the convener of the popular Holy Ghost Convention at the Redeemed camp. He is estimated to be worth over $130 million.
2. Prophet Shepherd Bushiri
South Africa-based Malawian Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has been ranked in a joint top position with Bishop David Oyedepo of Nigeria as Africa’s richest evangelists with a net worth of $150 million. He started ministering in 2002 and now has thousands of followers in his church ‘Enlightened Christian Gathering Church”. Asides being a pastor, he owns an electronics company, a telecommunication company, various farms and a private university in South Sudan named the Bushiri University of Agriculture and of course, his private jets.
1. Bishop David Oyedepo
Bishop David Oyedepo is Nigeria’s richest pastor with a net worth of $150 million dollars. He was born on the 27th September 1954 in Omu-Aran, Kwara state and is the presiding bishop of the Living Faith church popularly known as Winners Chapel.
David Oyedepo has three universities to his name, namely Landmark University, Covenant University, and Crowns university. His other investments include secondary schools, bakeries, bottled water processing factories, petrol stations, residential apartments both home and abroad, shopping malls, restaurants. He is the chairman of Dominion Publishing house and owns four private jets.
You must agree with me that these pastors have taken Africa to the world standard howbeit what field or occupation it is. This is the list for Africa’s richest pastors in 2019, we will wait to see what new name emerges next year but until then, who wants to start a church!