Even though setting up a Christian ministry can be for anything but financial gain, the question, “Who is the richest pastor in the world? ” can’t but arise once in a while, especially these days where pastors are undertaking million-dollar projects, engaging in super philanthropic activities and commanding a whole lot of material acquisitions and properties.
Pastors are most times the head of a group of Christian congregation with the function of providing spiritual, physical, financial (when/if necessary), and emotional assistance to members of their ministries or their church.
Gone are the days when pastors were known for poor appearance and obsessive trekking. These days, some of the richest and most influential people in the world are Pastors. So who is the richest pastor in the world? Which church does he pastor? How many members are in his congregation? What is his net worth? Which country is he from? All these questions can be inevitable when the spirit of curiosity starts moving amidst ever-curios minds.
Let’s quickly have an up-close-and personal with Thomas Dexter Jakes aka T.D Jakes, the richest pastor in the world.
No. 1 Richest pastor in the world: T.D Jakes
Thomas Dexter Jakes was born on June 9, 1957. He is an American pastor and the founder and head pastor of The Potter’s House, which is one of the most popular churches in the United States. The Potter’s House is an American non-denominational mega church and T.D Jakes has done a commendable of expanding the church that large without any other branch in the United States, outside the United States, or anywhere in the world. His broadcasts are aired on various television stations across the globe from the United States, Canada, Australia, to various countries in Europe, Asia and Africa.
He is a ‘bestselling’ author with books like ‘Your Instincts in Action’, ‘Reposition Yourself’, ‘HE-Motions’, ‘The T.D Jakes Relationship Bible’, and ‘Woman, Thou Art Loosed’; amongst various others titles. He is a motivational speaker, and a movie producer. The Potter’s House is located in Dallas, Texas and has over 30,000 worshippers. He is married to Pastor Serita Ann Jakes. T.D Jakes’ million dollar residential mansion is valued at around $1.7 million, and he is known to wear a diamond ring the size of a coin which is valued at $20,000. T.D. Jakes started his ministry with just 100 members and currently, he is yet to be overtaken as the wealthiest pastor on earth.
Net Worth: $154 Million
2. David Oyedepo
David Oyedepo is the founder of the Living Faith Church World Wide ministries, also known as the Winners Chapel. He is an Architect by profession and a very accommodating but a no-nonsense clergyman. He is a very tactical investor who is said to have a very intelligent team of advisors. He has two universities – Covenant University and Landmark University. With four private jets, homes in a few countries around the world, he’s arguably the wealthiest clergyman from Africa.
Net Worth: $150 Million
3. Enoch Adeboye
Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye or ‘Daddy G.O’ as he’s popularly called has to be said to be one of the most influential and most popular clergyman in the world. Pastor Adeboye is one of the most humble and most approachable clergies in Nigeria and he been overseeing the world famous Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG) for 30 years. He has one of the biggest churches in Nigeria and owns a private jet.
Net Worth: $55 Million
4. Benny Hinn
For over 40 years, evangelist Toufik Benedictus “Benny” Hinn has been in the ministerial field, making him one of the longest serving evangelists in the world. He has carried the gospel to many countries and he holds various mega crusades that are always ground breaking and impactful. His TV broadcasts and teaching sessions reaches out to over 18 million subscribers worldwide.
Net Worth: $52 Million
5. Chris Oyakhilome
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is the founder of the Believers’ Love World Ministries, aka Christ Embassy. The different controversies surrounding the pastor and his church haven’t affected his congregation, as his church is currently attended by over 40,000 worshippers worldwide. He is a writer, an OTA preacher and a good businessman with investments in Real Estate and Music Production.
Net Worth: $50 Million
6. Creflo Dollar
He is the founder of World Changers Church International, located in Futon, Georgia. Evangelist Creflo Dollar’s success sure comes from his establishments across the US. He runs Creflo Dollar International Convention Association, his music record label – Arrow Records, and some other businesses.
Net Worth: $27 Million
7. Kenneth Copeland
Kenneth Copeland is the founder of Kenneth Copeland Ministries and he has been in the center of controversy for being more of a businessman for a while. He acquired a land measuring 1500 acre for establishing his church and the piece of land contains a private airstrip. The ministry’s lake-side mansion is valued at $6 million, and the ministry’s private jet and other aircrafts are valued at $26 million.
Net Worth: $27 Million
8. Billy Graham
William Franklin (Billy) Graham is an American televangelist who has been in the ministry for over 30 years. He has an evangelical mission network that reaches out to over thirty countries and he has been to more countries than almost any other evangelist. He makes a lot of cash in millions of dollars from his Television and radio broadcast.
Net Worth: $25 Million
9. T.B Joshua
According to Pastor T.B Joshua’s followers, he’s the richest pastor in Africa if philanthropic works are to be calculated together with current net worth. Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) has branches all over Asia, Africa, UK, and Greece. The church is located in Lagos, and it is the place of worship to over 15,000 worshippers worldwide.
Net Worth: $18 Million
10. Matthew Ashimolowo
Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo didn’t become popular until he founded his King’s Way International Christian Centre (KICC). He was formerly a pastor at Foursquare Gospel Church and it was on a mission to head a church branch in London that he decided to start his own church. Pastor Ashimolowo owns a media company, and he has investments in real estate. KICC is reported to be the largest Pentecostal church in the United Kingdom.
Net Worth: $16.5 Million