Chris Oyakhilome is a renowned Christian faith leader, preacher, author, philanthropist and televangelist.
He is the founder and president of Loveworld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, one of the world’s largest Christian congregations.
He is also the author of the daily devotional Rhapsody of Realities, which has been translated into more than 1,000 languages and distributed in more than 240 countries.
He is widely known for his healing crusades and miracles, attracting millions of people around the world.
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- Full name: Christian Oyakhilome
- Date of birth: December 7, 1963
- Age: 60 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Edo State, Nigeria
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Occupation: Pastor, television host, author and philanthropist
- Height: 5’10” (178 cm)
- Parents: Tim and Angelina Oyakhilome
- Siblings: Beayeta Akhuemokhan, Mercy Oyakhilome, Kenneth Oyakhilome, Linda Okocha, Kathy Woghiren and Lovelina Osazuwa
- Spouse: Anita Ebhodaghe (married 1991; separated 2016)
- Children: Sharon Oyakhilome and Charlyn Oyakhilome
- Relationship status: Divorced
- Net worth: $50 million
Early life and education
Chris Oyakhilome, now 60, was born on December 7, 1963, in Edo State, Nigeria. He is the third child and first son of his parents, Tim and Angelina Oyakhilome.
His father was one of the pioneers of the Assemblies of God Church in Benin City, where Chris grew up. He has six siblings, all of whom are involved in the ministry of Christ Embassy in various capacities.
He attended Edo College for his primary and secondary education. He then attended Bendel State University (now Ambrose Ali University), Ekpoma where he studied and obtained a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He also received an honorary doctorate from the same university.
Personal life
Chris Oyakhilome married Anita Ebhodaghe, a pastor and co-founder of Christ Embassy, in 1991.
They have two daughters, Sharon and Charlyn, who are gospel singers and pastors. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 2016, after 25 years of marriage.
The reason for their split was not publicly disclosed, but some sources attributed it to irreconcilable differences, infidelity, and abuse.
Since then, Chris Oyakhilome has not remarried and has kept his private life private.
Career
Chris Oyakhilome began his ministry as a student at Ambrose Ali University. He founded a youth group called Youth For Christ, the largest youth group on campus.
He later changed the name of the association to Believers Loveworld, and expanded to other universities and cities in Nigeria.
In 1987, he established the Christ Embassy in Benin City and moved to Lagos in 1989, where he officially launched his global missionary ministry.
Today, Christ Embassy has more than 40,000 branches in over 200 countries, with millions of members and believers.
Chris Oyakhilome is also a writer and author of several books such as The Power of Your Mind, The Seven Spirits of God, How to Pray Effectively and many more.
His most popular book is Rhapsody of Realities, a daily devotional he co-wrote with his ex-wife, Anita. The book has been translated into more than 1,000 languages and distributed in more than 240 countries, reaching millions of people every day.
He also publishes a monthly magazine called LoveWorld News, which features testimonies, news, and events from his ministry.
Chris Oyakhilome is also a television host and producer of shows such as Atmosphere for Miracles, Pastor Chris Teaching, Pastor Chris Live and Your LoveWorld.
He owns and operates three satellite television channels, namely LoveWorld TV, LoveWorld SAT and LoveWorld Plus, broadcasting his shows to millions of people worldwide.
He also has a digital platform called KingsChat, a social networking app that connects his followers and allows them to interact with him and each other.
Chris Oyakhilome is also a faith healing pastor and miracle warrior. He has organized and conducted several healing and miracle crusades in countries such as the UK, USA, Ghana, South Africa, and Nigeria.
His most notable crusades were the Night of Bliss, the Higher Life Conference, and the Worship and Holy Communion.
He also founded healing schools in South Africa, Nigeria and Canada where he taught and demonstrated the healing power of God.
He claims to have healed and performed miracles on thousands of people suffering from various diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, blindness, deafness, paralysis, etc.
Chris Oyakhilome is also a philanthropist and humanitarian. He founded the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI), a non-governmental organization that supports and funds various projects and initiatives in the fields of education, health, social development and humanitarian relief.
Some of the organizations that benefit from his foundation are InnerCity Mission for Children, Trauma Care International Foundation, Volunteer Medical Corps, Bible for All Mission and Future Africa Leaders Foundation.
Argumentative
Chris Oyakhilome has been involved in a number of controversies and criticisms over the years. Some of them include:
His divorce from his ex-wife Anita has sparked a lot of reactions and speculation from his followers and the public. Some accused him of being unfaithful, abusive and arrogant, while others defended him and blamed his ex-wife for being rebellious, disrespectful and greedy.
The divorce also led to a split in his ministry, as several pastors and members left Christ Embassy and joined his ex-wife’s ministry, which she renamed LoveWorld Ministries.
His teachings and doctrines, which some consider to be sinful, erroneous, and misleading. Some of the controversial teachings for which he has been criticized include his claim that he is a god and that his followers are gods as well; his denial of the existence of hell and the devil; his rejection of the doctrine of the Trinity and the deity of Jesus Christ; his endorsement of the prosperity gospel and seed planting; his promotion of faith healing and miracles as the only means of salvation and deliverance; and his opposition to the use of drugs and vaccines.
His involvement in political and social issues, which some considered inappropriate and irresponsible for a religious leader.
Some of the political and social issues he has commented on and taken a stand on are his support for President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration, his criticism of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his administration, his condemnation of the #EndSARS protests and the Lekki tollgate massacre; his dismissal of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures as a hoax and a conspiracy; his dismissal of the COVID-19 vaccine and 5G technology as the mark of the beast and the antichrist; and his prediction of the coming and end of the world.
Net worth
Chris Oyakhilome is one of the richest and most influential pastors in the world. According to Forbes, he has an estimated net worth of $50 million.
He earns his income from his position, books, television channels, digital platforms, and investments. He owns several properties and assets, such as private jets, hotels, printing presses, and record labels.
Social media
- Instagram name: @pastorchrislive
- Twitter Username: @PastorChrisLive
- YouTube Channel: @PastorChrisLive
Discography
Chris Oyakhilome has not released any albums or songs.
However, he has collaborated with several gospel artists and musicians, such as Sinach, Eben, Frank Edwards, Ada Ehi and Joe Praize, on some of their songs and albums. Some of the songs he has featured on are:
- The Creator of the Path of Sinach
- Eben’s Victory
- Let the World Know by Frank Edwards
- Ada Ehi’s Future Now
Book
- Rhapsody of Reality
- Praying the right way
- How to Pray Effectively
- How to make your faith work
- Seven Spirits of God
