15 richest pastors in the world, their sources of wealth

In the past, pastors were seen as poor people with no money of their own because they focused mainly on preaching the word. That narrative has changed as pastors are no longer just preachers of the word but entrepreneurs, authors, business people etc, who have become billionaires. Here is a list of the fifteen richest pastors in the world:

Table of Content hide 11. Kenneth Copeland 22. Bishop David Oyedepo 33. Bishop T.D. Jakes 44. Chris Oyakilhome 55. Pastor Joel Osteen 66. Enoch Adejare Adeboye 77. TB Joshua 88. David Ibiyeomie 99. Ayodele Oritsejafor 1010. Sam Adeyemi 1111. Pastor Creflo Dollar 1212Evangelist Benny Hinn 1313. Johnson Suleman 1414. Matthew Ashimolowo 1515. Biodun Fatoyinbo

1. Kenneth Copeland

Pastor Kenneth Copeland was born on 6 December 1936. He is regarded as the richest pastor in the world with a net worth of $300 million.  He is the founder of Kenneth Copeland Ministries. Kenneth Copeland is a televangelist, author and Preacher who started his ministry at the young age of 25.

2. Bishop David Oyedepo

Aside from him being the second richest pastor in the world, Bishop David Oyedepo is also the richest pastor in Nigeria, with a total net worth of $150 million.

He was born on September 27 1954. Besides being the Founder of the Living Faith Ministries(Winners chapel), he is also an architect, author and businessman. He is also the Founder of the prestigious Covenant University, Landmark University and the faith academy. He also has a publishing house called the Dominion Publishing, which is responsible for selling all his books.

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3. Bishop T.D. Jakes

Bishop T.D Jakes was born on 9 June 1957. He has a net worth of about $147 million making him one of the richest pastors in the world. Bishop Jakes is a multidimensional personality. He is the founder and lead pastor of The Potter’s House, author, filmmaker, actor and singer.

His church has a capacity of 30,000 worshippers per service.

He has won several awards one of which includes Best Gospel and Chorus Album at the Grammys (2003).

On the PBS program, African American Lives, his DNA was analyzed and it was found out that he is descended from the Igbo people of Nigeria. Some of his writings include Intimacy with God, Woman Thou Art Loosed devotional, The Lady, Her Lover and Her Lord and many others. He was the producer of hit movies Heaven is For Real (2014), Winnie Mandela (2014), Miracles from Heaven (2016) and many others. He also acted in Jumping the Broom as Reverend James.

4. Chris Oyakilhome

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is the Founder and senior pastor of Love World Incorporated, popularly known as Christ Embassy. He was born on December 7 1963 and is an author, televangelist, television host and public speaker. The church has a congregation of more than 40,000 people and is present on five continents. His publishing company, Love World Publications, publishes the Rhapsody of Realities, a monthly devotional which sells two million copies monthly. He also owns a television station, magazine and many other franchises and has a net worth of $75 million.

5. Pastor Joel Osteen

Pastor Joel is the presiding pastor of the Lakewood Church, a megachurch in Houston, Texas, founded by his father John Osteen in 1959. His net worth is $40 million making him one of the richest pastors in the world.

Pastor Joel was born on 5th March 1963. He is a well-seasoned author whose writings made No1 New York Times’ best sellers list.

His televised sermons and evangelisms are broadcasted to over eight million viewers in over 100 countries.

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6. Enoch Adejare Adeboye

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye was born March 2 1942. He is a professor of mathematics and was formerly a lecturer at the University of Lagos. He is currently the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, which has several branches worldwide. Pastor Adeboye is also an author and businessman. He is the Founder of Dove TV, which broadcasts various of his church’s programs and other churches. He owns the prestigious Redeemers University. His net worth is $39 million.

7. TB Joshua

The late Prophet TB Joshua is the Synagogue Church of all Nations founder. He heads a 15,000-member congregation with its headquarters and only branch in Ikotun, Lagos State.

The late prophet was known for his miracles and philanthropy, which attracted many people worldwide to his church. His church had an average of over two million visitors daily.

He is also the Founder of Emmanuel TV, a station that runs the programs of his church. He had a significant online presence with over six million fans on Facebook and one million YouTube channel subscribers called Emmanuel TV. The YouTube channel was the most viewed Christian platform before it was suspended in 2021 for homophobic statements. He has often been described as the Oprah of ministry. He has a net worth of $45 million.

8. David Ibiyeomie

Pastor David Ibiyeomie is a Nigerian televangelist and Founder of the Salvation Ministries established in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

The church has an average of 5,000 attendees every Sunday. He has a net worth of $41 million.

9. Ayodele Oritsejafor

Pastor Ayodele Oritsejafor is the Founder of the Word of Life Bible Church founded in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. He was also the president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria from 2005, a position he held for five years. A philanthropist at heart. He offers scholarships to students in elementary, secondary and tertiary education all over the nation. He sees himself as an instrument God used to minister to people’s spiritual and physical needs, emphasizing repentance, holiness, salvation and empowerment and has a net worth of $32 million.

Oritsejafor is the author of several books: Walking in Unity, Breaking the Power of Yesterday, The Stone that Killed Goliath, The Battle is in the Mind and many others.

10. Sam Adeyemi

Pastor Sam Adeyemi was born on February 3, 1976. He is a pastor, author and public speaker. He is the head pastor of Daystar Christian Center and the Founder of the Daystar leadership Academy where leadership programs are taught to develop a new generation of leadership for Nigeria and the world. His net worth is $30 million making him one of the richest pastors in the world.

He has written many books, some of which are Success is Who you Are, Think and Succeed and Wonders of Imagination.

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11. Pastor Creflo Dollar

Pasto Creflo Dollar is the pastor of Worlds Changers Church International, a non-denominational church located in Georgia, USA. His net worth is $27 million.

12Evangelist Benny Hinn

Evangelist Benny Hinn is a renowned evangelist and author. He is the pastor of the Orlando Christian Center founded in 1983.

He is popular for his Crusades which he organizes in stadiums and auditoriums across America and the world and has a net worth of $25 million.

Hinn is the author of several books some of which are Good Morning, Holy Spirit, Miracle of Healing, The Blood and many others.

13. Johnson Suleman

Pastor Johnson Suleiman is a televangelist and general overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries International. The church’s headquarters is in Auchi, Edo State. He started the ministry in 2004 and has a net worth of $25 million.

14. Matthew Ashimolowo

Pastor Matthew Ashimolow is the Founder of Kingsway International Christian Center (KICC). He is also a television host. Poeple all over the world listen to his show, Winning Ways. It airs on Premier Radio in the UK, on Television on Faith Africa, Trinity Broadcasting Network and many others. He has a net worth of $20 million.

15. Biodun Fatoyinbo

Fatoyinbo is one of the youngest richest pastors in Nigeria. He was born on January 1, 1976, and is the Founder and senior pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly founded in 1999 and founded it at the young age of 23 with his wife. He has a net worth of $16 million.

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