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Monday, 15 July 2013

TOP TEN RICHEST PASTORS IN THE WORLD

1.Bishop T. D Jakes

Bishop Jakes lives in a $1,700,000 mansion, he has been called America's best preacher and has been featured on the cover of TIME magazine. He is a writer, preacher and movie producer. Thomas Dexter "T. D." Jakes, Sr. is the bishop/chief pastor of The Potter's House, a non-denominational American mega church, with 30,000 members, located in Dallas, Texas. T.D Jakes wears custom made suits and sports a diamond ring the size of a coin. This man of God has been endowed with a $150 million net worth.

2.Bishop David Oyedepo

Bishop David Oyedepo is a Nigerian Preacher, Christian Author, Founder and Presiding Bishop of Winners Chapel known as Living Faith Church World Wide. Has been hailed as the wealthiest preacher in Nigeria with a total net worth of $150 million and properties like 4 private jets and homes in the United States and England. After the foundation of the Living Faith Outreach Ministry in 1981, it has evolved to be one of the largest congregations in Africa and has a flourishing mission in Nairobi.

3.E A Adeboye
This messenger of God was listed in an African magazine, NEWSWEEK, as the most powerful man in Africa and one of the top 50 global power elites in 2008/2009, among others such as President Barack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy. Pastor Adeboye heads the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), something he has done for the last 28years.Amongst his posessions are private jets.

4.Benny Hinn

Israeli televangelist,Toufik Benedictus “Benny” Hinn has an estimated net worth of $42 million. He is best known for his regular “Miracle Crusades” – revival meeting/faith healing summits that are usually held in large stadiums in major cities, which are later broadcast worldwide on his television program, “This Is Your Day”. Hinn was born on December 3, 1952

5.Chris Oyakhilome

This is the man behind Believers’ Loveworld Ministries, a.k.a Christ Embassy.His church has an estimated net worth of $30 million – $50 million last year, the charismatic preacher was at the center of a $35 million money laundering case in which he was accused of siphoning funds from his church to foreign banks.

6.Creflo Dollar

American Bible teacher, pastor, and the founder of World Changers Church International, Creflo Dollar, has an estimated net worth of $27 million. As his name suggests, this preacher’s “manna” comes in form of the green buck.

7.Kenneth Copeland

He runs Kenneth Copeland Ministries, was one of several televangelists whose finances were investigated from 2007 to 2011 by Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa.

According to an article by the Associated Press that ran in 2008, "His ministry's 1,500-acre campus, behind an iron gate a half-hour drive from Fort Worth includes a church, a private airstrip, a hangar for the ministry's $17.5 million jet and other aircraft, and a $6 million church owned lakefront mansion.

The article later added that while Copeland has not released up-to-date salary statements, "the church disclosed in a property-tax exemption application that his wages were $364,577 in 1995; Copeland's wife, Gloria, earned $292,593. It's not clear whether those figures include other earnings, such as special offerings for guest preaching or book royalties.”

8.Billy Graham

American evangelical Christian evangelist, William Franklin “Billy” Graham, Jr., has a net worth of $25 million. The Southern Baptist evangelist rose to celebrity status as his sermons started getting broadcast on radio and television. Graham was born on a dairy farm near Charlotte, North Carolina in 1918, he has conducted many evangelistic crusades since 1948 . He is now a world renowned televangelist raking in millions of dollars.

9.Matthew Ashimolowo

Ashimolowo, the owner of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) gets an annual income of $200,000. Having his humble beginnings as a priest in Foursquare Gospel Church, a Nigerian church that sent Ashimolowo to open a satellite branch in London. Pastor Matthew had other ideas and decided to set up his own church instead. Today, his Kingsway International Christian Center is reportedly the largest Pentecostal church in the whole of the United Kingdom

10.Temitope Joshua

Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) has an estimated net worth: $10 million – $15 million Nigeria’s most controversial clergyman is also one of its richest and most philanthropic. T.B Joshua heads the Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN), a congregation he founded in 1987, which accommodates over 15,000 worshippers on Sundays.

TOP TEN RICHEST PASTORS IN THE WORLD

1.Bishop T. D Jakes

2.Bishop David Oyedepo

4.Benny Hinn

5.Chris Oyakhilome

6.Creflo Dollar

7.Kenneth Copeland

He runs Kenneth Copeland Ministries, was one of several televangelists whose finances were investigated from 2007 to 2011 by Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa.

8.Billy Graham

9.Matthew Ashimolowo

10.Temitope Joshua

TOP TEN RICHEST PASTORS IN THE WORLD

1.Bishop T. D Jakes

2.Bishop David Oyedepo

4.Benny Hinn

5.Chris Oyakhilome

6.Creflo Dollar

7.Kenneth Copeland

He runs Kenneth Copeland Ministries, was one of several televangelists whose finances were investigated from 2007 to 2011 by Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa.

8.Billy Graham

9.Matthew Ashimolowo

10.Temitope Joshua

Nigeria has the largest Christian population till date compared to any country with Christians in Africa with more than 70 million persons in Nigeria belonging to the church with various denominations. Christianity in Nigeria was introduced by Portuguese traders in the 15th Century. This was the first attempt at planting Christianity in Nigeria. The Gospel was preached then in Benin and Warri but the Portuguese traders did not succeed partially because their commercial interest superseded their evangelistic commitment. The abolition of slave trade in 1807 in England gave Africans sold into slavery the opportunity to regain their freedom. the exercise of this freedom led to the resettlement of the freed slaves in Freetown, Sirrea Leone. some of the slaves later returned to Badagary in today's Lagos State among whom was James Ferguson. ferguson, having tasted the goodness of the LORD and being in the light appealed to Rev. Thomas Dove, a Methodist Minister in Freetown. he wrote a letter dated 2nd March, 1841 to Rev. Dove to send a missionary for the purpose of leading the people to the saving grace in Jesus. warraru, the King of Badagary, countersigned the letter which content reads;

I am now in a place of darkness where no light is. i know that i was once under light and now i am in darkness. it is to bring our fellow citizens into the way which is right, and to tell them the goodness of Jehovah, what he had done for us... and as i know better than them... into the way which is right...so i humbly beg of you that be good and kind, and take pity on us, and send us one servant of Christ to instruct us...Sir, the Governor of Badagary sends compliment to you and he is very glad to hear the word of God...Please let nothing delay you except sickness.

The letter of Ferguson recieved positive response when Thomas Birth Freeman was sent to Nigeria. freeman arrived Badagary on the 24th Septmber, 1842 with two devoted African helpers, Mr. & Mrs William DeGraft. Freeman and his helpers had a warm welcome at Badagary.

The initial problem the missionary encountered was accomodation. this was solved as Freeman decided to live in his compact travleing tent temporarily, while the De-Grafts squeeze themselves into bamboo store of captain parson of Gold Coast (now Ghana) a trader in Badagary. the next day was Sunday, there was no conveinent place to hold service, but a handful of "English" Africans gathered round the missionaries and they managed to have a fellowship in Freeman's tent. the LORD made the ministry of Freeman to bear fruit as He continued to add to the number of believers, "those who were being saved", to the extent that Freeman's tent did not contain the members. the increase in number of Worshipers made the members to hastily build a bamboo cottage. this became the first church in Nigeria.

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

controversial wedding of the son of the founder of deeper life

[BREAKING] Deeper Life Suspends Kumuyi’s Son, Wife Over Controversial Wedding

The leadership of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry has suspended the son of the General Superintendent of the church and his wife, John and Love Kumuyi from carrying out any activity in the church over their recent controversial wedding in Jamaica.

John and Love wedded in Jamaica on 15 June, 2013 and thousands of members of the church have reacted sharply while condemning the wedding gown worn by the wife and other aspects of the wedding that were at variance with the church’s standard.

She was decked in attires quite different from the acceptable standard set for Deeper Life members by the church.

Love was arrayed in flowing gown with a veil to match, while lots of people said her hair wasn’t natural and that she applied lipstick as part of the make-up.

Also at issue was the hiring of a Limousine which conveyed the couple to their destination after the wedding. And a huge cake was cut during the wedding contrary to the church’s tradition.

Due to the myriad of controversies generated by the wedding on social media, Facebook, especially by members of Deeper Life, the church decided to place the couple on suspension to give them time to pray and seek forgiveness from God for their action.

On Saturday, at Deeper Life’s monthly miracle and revival programme held at the Deeper Life Conference Centre, DLCC, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, John and Love’s suspension from church work was announced to the over 50,000 Deeper Life faithful at the event by Pastor Philip Oluwi, a key leader in the church.

Oluwi, certainly is acting on the instruction from the General Superintendent of the church, Pastor William Kumuyi, to suspend the couple for the embarrassment they brought upon the church during the wedding, emphasizing that the standard of Deeper Life regarding wedding and moderacy had not changed.

“The church, Deeper Life, remains committed to the biblical practice and standard of almost 40 years Christian dressing and still remains and does not compromise on biblical Christian dressing.

“Hence, deviation warrants the displeasure and frown of God and the leadership of the church. John and Love are now under discipline,” Oluwi announced to the entire congregation, an action that helped to calm the nerves of many Deeper Life faithful.

Also, the couple has apologised to the church for the embarrassing way the wedding was conducted. The letter was read by Oluwi and re-read severally to church members by the Church’s Secretary, Pastor Jerry Asemota.

The letter addressed to the Church Secretary, with the heading: “Letter of Apology,” expressed the deepest regret of the couple for bringing the church into disrepute.

The letter reads: “We unreservedly and wholeheartedly state that we did not intend and do not intend that our act or omissions in any way undermine the great work that God has done through the Deeper Christian Life Ministry through our father in the Lord, the General Superintendent.

“We also use this medium to profusely and sincerely apologise to the General Superintendent (Kumuyi) of the church for the embarrassment and heartache our action has caused him; more so as he had earlier declined to be at the event. We acknowledge that we may have benn distracted by cultural differences as we both have lived outside Nigeria for nearly two decades.”

The letter added: “This notwithstanding, we fully accept that having been nurtured, taught and brought up with the sound teaching of the word of God, we should have been able to draw the line which we failed to do. We have now realised the far reaching effect of our actions and omissions and do plead with the church for forgiveness and also appeal that any action that should be taken be directed at John and Love, as we take this time to prayerfully reflect on our actions.

“We take full responsibility for what has happened and this action should in no way be blamed on the General Superintendent or the leaders of the church in Nigeria, United States, Jamaica, or United Kingdom and beyond.”

However, investigation revealed that John and Love’s wedding was not conducted in a Deeper Life Bible Church. It was also not conducted by pastors from the church as Deeper Life Bible Church in Jamaica has not been licensed by the country’s government to join couples in wedlock, according to the laws of Jamaica.

The wedding was taken to another church where the ministers in the unnamed church conducted the wedding and joined them in holy matrimony.

Besides, Deeper Life leaders that came from Nigeria were said to have disapproved of the earlier gown Love was to wear for the wedding, while another was hurriedly sewed the night before the wedding.

Church leaders were said not to have seen the new dress until the couple was marching into the church and by then, it was too late to take any action as the wedding was not conducted in a Deeper Life church.

BIOGRAPHY ARCHBISHOP BENSON IDAHOSA

HIS CHILDHOOD: Benson Andrew Idahosa was born in Benin City on September 11, 1938 of A poor pagan parents. He was a sickly infant who was always fainting. As a result of his constant illness his father ordered the mother to throw him in the dust bin. When he was eighteen months old he was left on a rubbish heap to die. He was rejected by his father, sent to work on a farm as a servant and was denied education until he was fourteen years old. His education was irregular due to the poor financial status of his parents. He later took correspondence courses from Britain and the United States while working in Bata Shoe Company.

HIS CONVERSION AND CALL TO MINISTRY: His conversion was dramatic and his calling supernatural. He was converted by Pastor Okpo on a football field one Sunday afternoon while playing soccer with his teammates. Thus, young Benson became the first Bini member of Pastor Okpo's small congregation. As a young convert he became very zealous in winning souls and in conducting outreaches in villages around Benin City. He was called to the ministry in a night vision from the Lord. "I have called you that you might take the gospel around the world in my name, preach the gospel, and I will confirm my word with signs following," said the voice from heaven. The room was filled with the presence of God as Benson fell to his knees beside the bed: "Lord, wherever you want me to go, I will go." He prayed on through the night, renewing his vows to God and interceding for his people who were yet to hear the message of salvation. After his call, Benson launched into ministry work preaching from village to village the gospel of Jesus Christ with great power and anointing. More people confessed Christ as their Saviour, and more healings occurred as he prayed for the sick.

EXPANTION OF HIS MINISTRY : Benson Idahosa, the archbishop and founder of Church of God Mission International Incorporated with its headquarters in Benin City, Nigeria established over 6,000 churches throughout Nigeria and Ghana before 1971.

POST AND CREDENTIALS: In addition to filling the position of archbishop of Church of God Mission, he was also president of All Nations for Christ Bible Institute, president of Idahosa World Outreach and president of Faith Medical Centre. He held positions in numerous organizations including the college of bishops of the international communion of Christian churches and the Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma. Idahosa earned a diploma in divinity from Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, which he attended in 1971, a Doctorate of Divinity in 1981 from the Word of Faith College, New Orleans and a Doctor of Laws degree from Oral Roberts University in March 1984. He also received other degrees from the International University in Brussels, Belgium.

REMARKS: Evangelist T. L. Osborn, from Tulsa, Oklahoma: Many who follow Idahosa's teaching have been saved from poverty and have learned to plant out of their desperate need and to look to God as their divine source thereby becoming prosperous Christians in their own land. Idahosa rose from the rank of an ordinary man to world leadership as a pastor, builder, counsellor, prophet, teacher, apostle, evangelist,--a man of godly wisdom and of Christ-like compassion, whose ministry has blessed millions the world over. Idahosa was the greatest African ambassador of the apostolic Christian faith to the world.

UNIQUE QUALITIES: Idahosa operated in faith and he had a robust faith. He believed and trusted God with a childlike faith. He once said that living a daily life of absolute faith in God is the only secret to great success. He believed God for everything. "All things are possible to him that believes." He spent quality time in prayer and in the study of the God's Word. He said that if someone spends time studying the Bible and acting on it, people will come looking for that person for life solutions. Idahosa also spent time studying the works and lives of other successful people both in the gospel ministry and other fields of human endeavors and he applied the principles he learned about these successful people to his life and ministry. He was very energetic and hardworking. One of the ministers who served under him said that he had never seen a person who worked as hard as Archbishop Benson Idahosa. He was committed and consistent and he had confidence in himself. He was very humble and full of godly wisdom. Archbishop Benson Idahosa was said to be the leader of over seven million Jesus people worldwide before he went to be with the Lord in February 1998.

HIS FIRST MIRACLE: “I once heard my pastor say during a morning service that Christians could raise the dead in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believed it with all my heart. And flying around on my bicycle in those days, I went through the city of Benin in search of a dead person to raise to life. After about five hours of hard searching I found a compound where a little girl had died a few hours before. The corpse had been cleaned and prepared for burial. I walked boldly up to the father of the dead child. "The God whom I serve can bring your baby back to life," I told him. "Will you permit me to pray for the child and bring her back to life?" The man was startled, but he agreed. With great enthusiasm, I walked into the room and up to the bed. The child was cold and dead. With strong faith in the Lord, I called on the Lord to restore the child back to life. I turned to the corpse and called it by name, "Arise in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." Oh Glory to God! The corpse sneezed, heavily, alas. The child had come back to life”! (Benson Idahosa)

Monthly Holy Ghost Service July 2013 Edtition: Holds on 5th of July 2013

Monthly Holy Ghost service; holds 1st Friday of every month,

Date: July 5, 2013 @ 6:00 pm – July 6, 2013 @ 3:00 am

Location: Redemption Camp, Km 46 Lagos Ibadan Expressway Ogun State

For Further Inquiries Contact: +234-1-8447340, +234-0-709821311