By Theodore Nyingifa
The Daily Mail website alleges that the church’s British branch received £16.7m (Over N4bn) in donations from followers who were told that God would give them riches in return.
The recent allegations have prompted the Charity Commission to review the charitable status of the church, which is said to be one of the fastest growing churches in the UK. Oyedepo is said to be worth an estimated £93m (Over N24b), with a fleet of private jets and a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
The newspaper reports that its investigation further revealed that:
- Congregants are handed a payment slip requesting payments using cheque, cash or debit card when they enter London’s Winners’ Chapel.
- Donations to the ministry in England almost doubled from £2.21 million to £4.37 million between 2006 and 2010.
- Winner’s Chapel in Nigeria received £794,000 or 73% of the charitable donations paid out by the British Winners’ Chapel between 2007 and 2010.
- The registered charity has spent £6.81 million on evangelism and ‘praise, worship and fellowship’
- The church’s ‘Joseph Squad’ preaches in British prisons and has a weekly broadcast named ‘Liberation Hour’ on satellite and cable TV.
According to the newspaper, in the past three years, Winners’ Chapel churches have been established in Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds and Bradford, adding to those in London, Manchester, Dublin and Glasgow.
A Charity Commission spokesman said they are “currently assessing what, if any, regulatory role there is to play with regard to the complaints made against the World Mission Agency. It is important to clarify that this does not constitute an investigation at this stage.”
Oyedepo was recently severely criticized online by former PMAN president Tee Mac Itseli, who called him a fraudster, and condemned the pastor’s lifestyle.
As at press time, neither Oyedepo nor any of his pastors have made any comments regarding the allegations.
*Excerpts and photo credit- dailymail.co.uk
15 comments
Why do you wanna make a good man look bad
Where were this reporters 20 years ago when he was preaching about with cars, if u say he is exploiting worshippers, have you asked the worshippers the question and they said yes to it? He is a man of God, and no one touches or speaks abt a man of God like this and not suffer. (Touch not my anointed).
BRITISH HUMAN RIGHTS VERSUS K/DOM RIGHTS, THE FORMER OPERATES FAR ABOVE PRINCIPALITY AND POWERS IN THIS WORLD, THEY KNOW NOT NEITHER WILL THE BRITISH UNDERSTAND, THEY REMAIN ENSNARED IN HOLES. PAPA WE LOVE YOU CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK.
I MEAN THE LATTER K/DOM RIGHTS OF HEAVEN
If these people dnt know anyfin about how this commision operates than they should just keep their mouth shut before God shows them his other side…I’ve been a part of this commision for 4 years and I know God is fully backing Papa if you dnt know what his been through to get to where he is today its better to just say nuffin before God strikes wiv anger.
@mercy percy. Dont worry God will not strike anyone over Bishop. Do you want to know why? Read Philipians 3:19
the more they complain d more God blesses him.
Amen
When we see pop singers, footballers, movie stars, drug pushers and other common criminals swim in wealth and affluence, we accept it as normal. But when you see men of God who positively change men’s destinies living in Gods provisions we start crying wolf. Men are still the same! Bishop oyedepo is a global principality. Nothing of this world can alter Gods purpose for him, especially as he keeps raising other giants in his footstep.
If God said i will set you upon high above all nations of the earth and you be the head and not the tail,you will lend to many nations and you shall not borrow.bishop oyedepo is simply operating on kingdom covenant platform,the word says i will give you the riches in darkness and the hidden treasure and that is what he has done to my father and my mentor papa we love you all and they haven’t see anything yet
Am not surprised at all cos when Jesus Christ was on earth then He was blackmail,my prayer for ds pple is God forgiveness, cos non of ds can stop the heavenly mandate for Bishop David Oyedepo. More power to ur elbow sir in Christ Jesus
U guys are fools 4 criticising my papa
My Good people of the press, please stop bringing up issues you knw nothing about ok? Where were you when he was paying his price? Why didnt u write about him then? Have you asked yourself why every WINNERS’ member is prosperous? I knw your wont ask, cos you are so eager to critisize. You need to see the light cos you are a hypocrite.
u have spoken well, because i myself is paying a price and if God announce me this so called press press their useless and worthless allegation on me, God himself will make sure press will not in existence anymore. Please tell the press to take a map, car and drive to hell i believe the Devil will be glad to receive as many they are.
Mercy Percy, You are part of the rot in christiandom. If You people don’t repent and stop dubing people in the name of prosperity message, hell is waiting for you. All the so called testimony of fake prosperity your people give are through bribery and corruption. They get contract by bribery. Everything about you is fake.