*Legacies include church growth
*Church expansion all over Europe
*Pioneered establishment of the first church school outside Africa
*Led the purchase of Mega-Church property in millions of pounds in England and the movement of the church to permanent location.
*Helped give church workers refined and more spiritual service orientation
The Regional head of Winners' Chapel Europe and one of the five Vice-Presidents of Living Faith Church Worldwide aka Winners' Chapel International, Pastor David Oyedepo junior has been transfered to Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland. Headquarters of Winners' Chapel Worldwide. He is to take over from former Resident Pastor, Obong Ntia. What first sounded like a rumour has now been confirmed to be true as same has been announced in the London church.
David Oluwamakinde Oyedepo (Jnr) the Oral Roberts' University graduate is the first son of the founder, Bishop Oyedepo and at age 32, has recorded several successes for the London church. In actual fact, he is one of the very few pastors out of the several transfered to London who never left the church to set up their own ministries. Pastor Abraham Ojeme was the most prominent example, he later returned to be Vice-President of the 'Liberation Commission' as Winners' Chapel is generically called.
The PhD holder Pastor David Oyedepo's tenure in UK was a success as he led a massive reach to the public in London leading to the church having 3 services where he regularly preaches to over 5,000 worshippers and becoming only the second largest single church in UK, second only to another Nigerian led church, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo's KICC which is the largest church in Western Europe.
Ashimolowo coincidentally preached at David Oyedepo's wedding in 2007. Sunday Adelaja, another Nigerian is pastor of Europe's largest church in Ukraine. Several church members have eulogized and commended the pastor who has led the church for about 7 years. From commendations in church to posts all over the social media,comments were not spared. Under his leadership, the church established over twenty churches and worship centres in Europe.
Pastor David jr preached his first message at Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland in March 2013 and preached his first message at SHILOH on December 11, 2013, exactly 30 years to the date in Dec 1983 that the church held her very first Sunday service in Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State, Nigeria. His messages at SHILOH have gradually become the prominent feature at the annual church gathering attended by millions all over the world with series of testimonies to show for it. Under David Oyedepo jr,the London church workers were taught to treat worshippers with much more dignity than erstwhile.
Knowing the pattern with which church workers go about their functions, this change in orientation was a major move and gives an inkling of what to expect at Canaanland. It helped to establish more members in the church. Also,the church purchased a multi-million pounds church property at Dartford Kent which now serves as the church's European Headquarters. The church also built the first of her schools-Kingdom Heritage Model Schools outside Africa. Under David Jnr, the English govt announced the result of her investigation of the church and came out with a clean slate and in addition notifying other charities to follow the example of Winners' Chapel, London as a properly managed Trust. Pastor David Oyedepo jr by inference will play a major role in the anticipated movement from the present Faith Tabernacle to the future Faith Theatre.
Pastor David Oyedepo, also a member of Covenant University's Board of Regents (BOR) at his age is a very matured copy of his father and he is strongly touted to lead the 'Generation Next' of the church and succeed his dad at some point in the church. The Mandate which is the constitution of the church requires that a new President of the multi-dimensional Liberation Commission must not be more than 60 at the time of his ordination as president. Presently, apart from Bishop David Oyedepo who is 62, all other Vice-Presidents of the church are not less than 54 years of age which implies that in another 7 years, none of them will be eligible (except in acting capacity) to the post of President of the Church Commission.
The position of president is for life after the legacy of the priesthood in the Bible while other pastors follow the levitical order and have a retirement date. Bishop Oyedepo by the dictates of the Mandate is only expected to nominate a successor to the Board of Trustees at the age of 75, that will be in 2029. Other church founders are towing the path of Bishop Oyedepo leading to the possibility of their pastor sons being raised to headship position in their ministries. Other prominent examples are Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor William Kumuyi of the Deeper Life Bible Church and to a lesser extent Pastor Oyakhilome and Bishop Mike Okonkwo of Christ Embassy and TREM who only have daughters.
The news also has it that Pastor Isaac Oyedepo may succeed his elder brother in the UK Church. The fiery Isaac who is a carbon copy of his dad has recorded bigger dimensions of growth in Jo'burg South Africa than his brother in UK. The Jo'burg Church presently stands at about 13,000 members.
Pastor David Oyedepo Jnr is married to Kemi Oyedepo and they are blessed with 2 children. A girl and a boy. Kemi Oyedepo is the founder of the growing marriage ministry known as "Crisis-Proof Your Marriage" (CPYM).So we have officially said "see you soon" to Winners Chapel London!
Below is the post by Mrs Kemi Oyedepo on her Facebook page.
It was such an awesome ride. It's a special place to me because that is where I came in as a Pastors wife.
That is where I first learnt what it means, among other things, to carry the joys, sorrows, and burdens of so many other people. That is where I was stretched beyond my wildest imaginations. That is where I grew so much spiritually. That is where I learnt to put not one or two people first, but a great number of people. In all, it has been a great privilege.
There is still so much learning to do but I am so grateful for where it began for me. And I specially thank God so much for the privilege of standing by this great vessel, David Oyedepo Jnr and supporting him as God engraced me to!
The growth we both experienced here in the span of 7/8 years cannot be explained or denied. Thank you Winners Chapel London for your unwavering love, acceptance, support & most especially your prayers (never ever stop praying for us)!
I never knew I could love so many people at the same time. To you all, from the bottom of my heart I say thank you for allowing me to be part of your life, your growth, your family, and so much more in my own small way!
Keep the fire burning & keep looking to God, who is your ultimate rewarder!
The path of the just must shine brighter so we are only moving towards greater shinning! I believe God that the same will be your testimony!
You will always have a very special place in our hearts!
I look forward to your ear tingling testimonies!
Remain upheld by the Word of His power
Big HUGS & KISSES!
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