Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers - Religion - Nairaland
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Religion / Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers (43943 Views)
Winners Chapel's Reply To Allegations On Bishop Oyedepo / BBC Calls Winners Chapel "Witchcraft Church" / 200 Pastors Resign From Oyedepo's Winners Chapel (2) (3) (4)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (Reply) (Go Down)
| Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by mckayne: 1:39am On Oct 21, 2012 |
A church run by a controversial multi-millionaire African preacher has been accused of ‘cynical exploitation’ after its British branch received £16.7 million in donations from followers who were told that God would give them riches in return. Followers are ferried in double-decker shuttle buses to the church, handed slips inviting them to make debit card payments, and are even told obeying the ministry’s teachings will make them immune from illness. Today’s Mail on Sunday revelations about the Winners’ Chapel movement have prompted the Charity Commission to review the charitable status of the church – one of the fastest-growing in the UK. Winners’ Chapel is part of a worldwide empire of evangelical ministries run by Nigeria’s wealthiest preacher David Oyedepo, who has an estimated £93 million fortune, a fleet of private jets and a Rolls-Royce Phantom. Revelations about the Winners¿ Chapel movement have prompted the Charity Commission to review the charitable status of the church ¿ one of the fastest-growing in the UK.  Plenty to smile about; Preacher David Oyedepo of the Winners Chapel movement aboard one of his private jets. He also owns a Rolls Royce Phantom Dubbed ‘The Pastorpreneur’, he was accused earlier this year of slapping the face of a young woman he said was a witch. The assault case was struck out but is being appealed. Branches of the church have sprung up in major UK cities in a huge recruitment drive centred on Mr Oyedepo’s ‘prosperity gospel’. This claims that congregants who make regular donations and pay tithes – a ten per cent levy on their income – will be rewarded financially by God. Followers are urged to target vulnerable people such as the lonely, the sick, the homeless and the suicidal as potential candidates for conversion. Last night, Labour MP Paul Flynn said Winners’ Chapel was cynically exploiting supporters. ‘They [Winners’ Chapel] are making clearly spurious claims and it seems to be a cynical exploitation of the gullible,’ he said. Referring to the slapping incident, Mr Flynn added: ‘What is also alarming is the reported violence and the lack of respect for the status of women. It’s taking us back to a previous age of ignorance and prejudice that we all thought the church had escaped.’  Caught on camera: Video of Mr Oyedepo striking a young 'witch' across the face in front of a congregation This newspaper’s investigation can further disclose: 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. Mr Oyedepo’s superchurch in Nigeria received £794,000 or 73 per cent of the charitable donations paid out by the British Winners’ Chapel between 2007 and 2010. This was despite claims in Africa that he is enriching himself at the expense of his devotees. 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 here. 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. An undercover Mail on Sunday reporter attended Sunday services at Winners’ Chapel’s ‘London HQ’ in Dartford, Kent, which attracts 1,000 congregants – chiefly African and Caribbean immigrants. It is run like ‘a business conference’ by Mr Oyedepo’s son, David Oyedepo Jnr. Packed buses deliver singing worshippers from South-East London, Essex and Kent to the huge auditorium. The reporter saw a payment slip being given to every person entering the church encouraging them to donate money by cheque or cash or to fill in a form with their debit card details. The slip said tithes should be paid separately using a ‘Kingdom Investment Booklet’ and the reporter was informed that payments could also be made by phone. A pastor told the worshippers: ‘You shall be financially promoted after this service in Jesus’s name if you are ready to honour the Lord therefore with all your givings, your tithes, your offerings, your Kingdom investment, your sacrifices.’ Congregants were told to fill in their slips and hold them above their heads while the donations were blessed.  One of the fleet: A jet belonging to Mr Oyedepo - he has at least two that he bought with his huge fortune The service was interspersed with testimonies. ‘I received a bill from the bank that I didn’t understand, so I prayed,’ said one congregant. ‘A few days later, the bank wrote to apologise for their mistake – Hallelujah!’ ‘Hallelujah,’ the audience shouted back. Congregants were told they could gain favour by persuading others to follow Mr Oyedepo’s teachings. His son said: ‘Look around you. Someone is sick and already wishing he or she were dead, that is a fruit ripe to harvest. Someone is confounded and considering suicide as an option, that is another fruit that is ripe to harvest. ‘Someone else is lonely and wondering if there is any future for him, that is another fruit ripe to harvest. ‘Also there are many men and women, young and old that are homeless, these are fruits ripe to harvest.’ The reporter was taken, with 20 other new recruits, to a room where preachers gave sermons claiming acceptance of the Lord would prevent them ever being ill or suffering misfortune. The Mail on Sunday has seen video footage of Mr Oyedepo striking a woman across the face and condemning her to hell after she said she was a ‘witch for Jesus’. He attacked her in a Winners’ Chapel superchurch, believed to be in Nigeria, in front of worshippers. A separate video shows him saying: ‘I slapped a witch here last year!’ In May, he was sued for £800,000 over the alleged assault. The case was struck out – a decision which is now reported to have been appealed. The Winners’ Chapel movement, also known as the Living Faith Church, has hundreds of churches in Nigeria and across Africa, the Middle East, the UK and the US. Mr Oyedepo has received fierce criticism in Africa. One Nigerian journalist accused him of ‘leading a growing list of pastorpreneurs – church founders exploiting the passion and emotion that Christianity commands to feather their nests’. Caught on camera: Video of Mr Oyedepo striking a young 'witch' across the face in front of a congregation  Marriage: Seen here with his wife Faith, Mr Oyedepo has a son who runs services at the chapel's London headquarters Catholic Cardinal Anthony Okogie criticised such preachers for placing materialism above Jesus’s message. He reportedly said: ‘They have been skinning the flock, taking out of the milk of the flock.’ Among Mr Oyedepo’s fleet of aircraft are said to be a Gulfstream 1 and Gulfstream 4 private jets. It is also claimed he and his wife, Faith, travel in expensive Jeeps flanked by convoys of siren-blaring vehicles. He is the senior pastor of Faith Tabernacle, a 50,000-seat auditorium in Lagos reputed to be the largest church in the world, and runs a publishing company that distributes books carrying his message across the world. His other business interests span manufacturing, petrol stations, bakeries, water purification factories, recruitment, a university, restaurants, supermarkets and real estate. The latest addition is a commercial airline named Dominion Airlines. A Charity Commission spokesman said: ‘The Charity Commission is 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.’ Winners’ Chapel administrator Tunde Disu declined to comment. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2220833/Laughing-private-jet--93m-pastor-accused-exploiting-British-worshippers.html#ixzz29tD5k91x 5 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 5:31am On Oct 21, 2012 |
Funny... I laugh in tongues this morning... Abeg, im congregation don put the tithes for envelope this morning go pay... 1 Like |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by wiegraf: 5:47am On Oct 21, 2012 |
Oh boy na wa oh.... 1 Like |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by ijawkid(m): 6:49am On Oct 21, 2012 |
I'm awe struck..!!!!!!!...... MOG driving in a phantom with siren blaring envoys and escorts??.... Which kin nonsense be this.... Can nigerians please wake up to reality....... SMH!!!!!....... And why must the church branch in london be controlled by his son?? Na family business??.... I'm tired of this whole rubbish!!!!!!..... 12 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 7:06am On Oct 21, 2012 |
lol...The beginning of the end. Once the British media and the govt get a hold of your atrocities, it can only get worse. Time will tell if this tithe fraud will last. Warning to any Winners Sheep; Dont waste your time threatening me with hell for telling the truth about your thieving pastor! 17 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 7:09am On Oct 21, 2012 |
its funny how one man can generate so much media frenzy. why can't the media leave this man alone and stop using him as a standard for wayward pastors  ?? Oyedepo sells books, tapes running into million copies every year. he impacts lives through messages of hope, and get rewarded for it...is that not enough for the man to be rich?? the guy has a private jet...SO? do you know about is traveling itinerary? if he has to be in Togo today and South Africa tomorrow do you expect him to be booking commercial flights every time. if there is no misconduct whatsoever on his part then let the man be left alone. The worshippers giving out thier money never complained of being hypnotised or deceived and a lot are educated and gainfully employed. if the want to follow the biblical instruction of "giving" then let them give, since we all have different beliefs BUT PLS, LET'S LEAVE THIS MAN ALONE, HIS PROSPERITY SHOULD NOT BE ENVIED FOR HE HAS COMMITTED NO CRIME UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE. 39 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 7:09am On Oct 21, 2012 |
Crazy situation we have in Nigeria.. GOD's on YOUR SIDE, as long as YOU'RE RICH, the poor are of the DEVIL.. So the POLITICIANS say THANK god, while they spend public loot PASTORS say THANK god, while they spend 'MUGU's tithes and offerings.... BREAKTHROUGHS, MIRACLES, BLESSINGS for every other week... AND THE FOOLISH POPULACE celebrate and defend THEIR LOOTERS.. Slaves that love their chains... Posterity will wonder how we were so easily duped... 18 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by agabaI23(m): 7:20am On Oct 21, 2012 |
Some other churches in the UK hand out envelopes for tithes or offering. The difference is they may not be as aggressive. I am a catholic and a certain catholic church does it. They may have to ban tithing in all Pentecostal churches |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 7:21am On Oct 21, 2012 |
Logicboy03: lol...The beginning of the end. Once the British media and the govt get a hold of your atrocities, it can only get worse. An health man does not need a Doctor. You probably talking like this because you have not had a problem beyond you physical strength neither have you been overwhelmed by the vicissitudes of life that you soul yearns for divine help. I pray you never be in that situation. 5 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 7:24am On Oct 21, 2012 |
mitwitdot: If someone has psychological or physical problems, they should see a doctor or health specialist and not a tithe recieving pastor! There is no divine healing 8 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 7:25am On Oct 21, 2012 |
mitwitdot:Yeah, God steps in when a man is broken hearted and desperate.. Oledeps steps in and presents himself as a man of God... give me your money and I'll stand on your behalf... i need the private jets so I can fly up to meet the most high... do not question the mission... pray that the Lord will bless you so you can afford our school fees... and when i slap your daughter, know that i did it for her good... 10 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Image123(m): 7:26am On Oct 21, 2012 |
jealous rumors. the man and is church dey expand EVERYDAY. People don't commit suicide or get frustrated oh, give your lives to He who knows what best to do with it instead. 1 Like |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 7:27am On Oct 21, 2012 |
Image123: jealous rumors. the man and is church dey expand EVERYDAY. People don't commit suicide or get frustrated oh, give your lives to He who knows what best to do with it instead. MOG defender has arrived. The guy will be finished in the UK soon, dont worry. 1 Like |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by ijawkid(m): 7:40am On Oct 21, 2012 |
Image123: jealous rumors. the man and is church dey expand EVERYDAY. People don't commit suicide or get frustrated oh, give your lives to He who knows what best to do with it instead. But why you go support this man extravagant life?? Is it good??..... Be sincere image123...... |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 7:51am On Oct 21, 2012 |
musKeeto: what perplex me most is that you people don't even know this man you just make conclusions based on hearsay and media jargons! I don't think I can correct the wrong perspective you have because it seems like it has been stencilled in your subconscious. but jus for argument sake, are you telling you know better than the over 2 million followers on cable tv and congregation if they don't get any benefits from his teaching, why are they still listening to him or going to his church. please don't let your ignorance be debated here, because it's obvious you know little about his person.8 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 7:58am On Oct 21, 2012 |
mitwitdot: You and the 2 million are ignorant sheep. The facts about him are out there for everyone to see. He has private jets and luxury cars. Is that a lie? Why are you people just foolish? 13 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by CuntDestroyer: 8:08am On Oct 21, 2012 |
mitwitdot: its funny how one man can generate so much media frenzy. why can't the media leave this man alone and stop using him as a standard for wayward pastors shatap! 4 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by CuntDestroyer: 8:10am On Oct 21, 2012 |
Image123: jealous rumors. the man and is church dey expand EVERYDAY. People don't commit suicide or get frustrated oh, give your lives to He who knows what best to do with it instead. and your purse as well 1 Like |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by CuntDestroyer: 8:10am On Oct 21, 2012 |
mitwitdot: i know him , he is nothing more than a con man |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by RickyRoss1(m): 8:30am On Oct 21, 2012 |
Very soon their congregants will come out in great numbers to defend him, its normal in Nigeria to defend your tribesman even if he is a terrorist. Upon all the wealth at his disposal, his university is among the most expensive in Nigeria, this is a school built with church money, tithes, seeds etc. Hundreds of thousands of his congregants are living in poverty, yet he never thought it wise to assist them. Yet he tells his sheep to pay tithe and Kingdom Investment so that God will come down from heaven and help them. A REAL MAN OF GOD WILL NEVER TELL YOU TO PAY TITHE TO RECEIVE BLESSING A REAL SERVANT OF GOD WILL NEVER TELL ANYONE TO PAY TITHE OR SOW SEED TO AVERT CALAMITY REAL MEN OF GOD PREACHES SALVATION AND WINNING SOULS FOR GOD, A REAL SERVANT OF GOD WILL NEVER TELL ANYONE TO PAY TITHE OR SOW SEED TO RECEIVE HEALING. MAY GOD SAVE US FROM THE HANDS OF FAKE PROPHETS. NOW AM NOT CALLING ANYONE FALSE PROPHET BC AM NOT GOD AND AM NOT PERFECT. 12 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 8:39am On Oct 21, 2012 |
Logicboy03: constructive arguments I appreciate but please no curses or insults. If your perception about him is twisted. good for you cos I'm not his PR. just kip ur insults to yourself. 1 Like |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 8:54am On Oct 21, 2012 |
mitwitdot: My mum used to force me to go to the church. Heck! I even used to go to the wenesday fellowship in canaan land itself. So yeah I do know him. And I can boldly say he is a very pompous man who thinks too much of himself. So do other pastors who keep mentioning his name every minute. My mum still goes to the church and it does nothing for her except wasting jotters. Even when I start debating with her over the guy and other religious stuff she gets so speechless and tells me to leave her alone. 7 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 8:58am On Oct 21, 2012 |
CuntDestroyer: your name is an indication of your mental state. A pervert critiquing a believer. I would not descend into draging issues with you. 3 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by SamMilla1(m): 9:57am On Oct 21, 2012 |
From now on, It is going to be a tough ride for Oyedepo. Good work from the #TeamAgainstTheSlappedKid#. Your efforts contributed to the burst. Someone must start to slow these MOGs down. One of them could RISE someday and claim to be the Almighty God. Then asks us to either worship him or die. I know some of you will say 'that is impossible' but then, i personally open up my mind to such possibilities. 2 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 10:01am On Oct 21, 2012 |
The order of the Free mason, 33 degree Bishop of a High order. Respected amongst his fellow free masons for his financial intelligence. May Isis the Goddess of throne Bless You Oyedepo. |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by kacheezy: 10:07am On Oct 21, 2012 |
And when rapture comes he will leave his multi million empire and go to heaven and become a nobody? Come on.....Nigerian Christians are so gullible. 2 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Chrisbenogor(m): 10:08am On Oct 21, 2012 |
I can only shake my head, at least this is the british media. 16 million quid, some church members go enter okada go church drop all their money. Then go house go drink garri while he is sipping Andre. 3 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by collins123(m): 10:08am On Oct 21, 2012 |
There will always be magas. No matter how educated or widely travelled they claim to be... It always boil down to their IQ. 5 Likes
|
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Sunofgod(m): 10:10am On Oct 21, 2012 |
Let he who wants to be decieved - Be decieved! 2 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Nobody: 10:13am On Oct 21, 2012 |
My neighbour who have been blindfolded by the teachings of Oledepo must hear this! Who says I must go to church to make heaven? What's the difference between worshipping God at home and going to church when I know that God have been so good to me? To hell with all these churches who preach prosperity instead of salvation! 9 Likes |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by Maxymilliano(m): 10:13am On Oct 21, 2012 |
This is undiluted corruption with international dimension. This rogue is not different from Nigerian politicians, theives in human clothing. |
| Re: Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel Accused Of Exploiting British Worshippers by stdonbosco: 10:16am On Oct 21, 2012 |
I don't really know much about this story but I must say frankly that the first day I went to Faith Terbanacle & was opportuned to be laid a hand on my forehead by Bishop Oyedepo, three miracle happened to me on that faithful day. Am a staunch catholic, mind you but I honestly believe he is a man of God. Besides he is not the only influential & wealthy pastor. Almost all of them are. 9 Likes |
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (Reply)
Sex Tapes And Depraved Viewers By Deji Yesufu / Pastor Alph Lukau Tells Woman Best Friend Standing Beside Her Is Her Problem / Bishop David Oyedepo Speaks On Tithing At Shiloh 2017 (Video)
(Go Up)
| Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 67 |