Chris Oyakhilome’s full name is Christian Oyakhilome. He was born on 7 December 1963 in Edo State. He is currently 61 years old. His parents are Tim and Angelina Oyakhilome, and they were very strong Christians.
His father, also referred to as Tim E. Oyakhilome, was an elder in their church; he helped lead and teach people. His mum also helped with church activities at home. Chris grew up with six brothers and sisters; he is the third child out of seven.
Some of his siblings, like his brother Ken and his sister Kathy, hold leadership positions within the LoveWorld ministry.
Education and Academic Recognition
Chris Oyakhilome attended Edo College and later gained admission into Bendel State University on a scholarship, which was later renamed Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. He studied Architecture and obtained a B.Sc. in Architecture from Ambrose Alli University.
He also holds honorary doctorates in Divinity and Science from Nigerian institutions, including Benson Idahosa University and his alma mater. In 2015, Oyakhilome was given an honorary doctorate from Ambrose Alli University and Benson Idahosa University.
He later received an Honorary Doctorate in Divinity (DD) from Benson Idahosa University and an Honorary Doctorate Doctor of Science (DSc) Award from Ambrose Alli University. In December 2023, he was named the Chancellor – Head of Government and Chairman Plenipotentiary of Weldios University.
Early Ministry and University
He began ministry as a university student and began preaching during his university years, growing what started as a small prayer group into one of Africa’s most influential Christian organisations.
As an undergraduate, he founded a youth ministry called Youth For Christ, which became the largest fellowship at Bendel State University.
His ministry began while he was a student on campus at Ambrose Alli University, and in one of his services, Oyakhilome gave an account of how the vice chancellor at the time attended his service once on Campus. There is no mentor figure named as Chris Oyakhilome’s spiritual father or mentor.
His ministry is understood to have grown out of his own initiative while at university and was largely developed through personal calling and early involvement in Christian student movements.
Founding Christ Embassy
Upon graduating in 1987, Oyakhilome established Christ Embassy in Lagos, Nigeria. Founded in 1987 in Lagos, Nigeria, Christ Embassy, also known as Believers’ LoveWorld or LoveWorld Incorporated or LoveWorld Inc., is a global Pentecostal ministry with churches and fellowships in Africa, Europe, North America and Asia.
It has been described as following an American megachurch model of large auditoria and stresses success and material blessing, and has been criticised for opulence amid poverty.
Oyakhilome’s teaching is that prosperity is a blessing of God, and his church encourages followers to give money as seeds, teaching that those who donate to his ministry will also be rewarded with wealth and health and escape poverty.
He has responded to criticism of this aspect of his ministry, stating that true prosperity comes from spiritual growth and adherence to God’s principles, not mere material accumulation.
Teaching on Prosperity
Chris Oyakhilome started a big Christian group called LoveWorld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, and it is based in Lagos, Nigeria.
He is famous for his preaching, daily devotionals, healing ministries, faith healing gatherings, and Christian broadcasting networks, and for global evangelical outreach. His ministry includes a global television network and branches in several countries.
He also writes books and daily devotionals, which are short messages to help people pray and feel close to God every day. Chris Oyakhilome operates a global network of congregations and uses media channels including TV, apps and online streaming to broadcast his messages.
His sermons, conferences and healing services draw millions of viewers internationally. Many people from different countries watch him, because his church has branches all around the world.
Media and Broadcasting Network
Oyakhilome also founded a Christian-based television network which broadcasts worldwide from Africa. Media and outreach initiatives include LoveWorld TV, LoveWorldSAT, LoveWorld Plus, LoveWorld USA and other broadcast platforms reaching global audiences.
In 2017, in partnership with Benny Hinn, he created the Christian cable channel LoveWorld USA. LoveWorld Television Network is a global Christian broadcasting network, and LoveWorld TV, LoveWorldSAT and other platforms broadcast his teachings worldwide.
His ministry and media work also include the Healing School, a ministry focused on faith healing gatherings, Healing School events and crusades in multiple countries, and Atmosphere for Miracles, a television programme emphasising faith and spiritual presence.
Conferences and Digital Ministry
He also hosts Higher Life conferences in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, the UK, the US and Canada, organised the Night of Bliss South Africa event at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, and operates an International School of Ministry.
As of February 2023, there were BLW Campus Fellowships and Christ Embassy Churches in higher institutions and major cities around the world. The church runs an International School of Ministry and operates a global prayer network.
One of its Ministers’ Network Conferences in 2016 had 5,000 ministers in attendance from 145 countries in Johannesburg, South Africa. He runs an online prayer network using social media to send messages to Christians in several countries and operates a smartphone messenger called KingsChat.
Publications and Devotional Work
Chris Oyakhilome wrote the daily devotional Rhapsody of Realities, which first came out in 2001. It is available in print, audio and digital formats and is distributed all over the world.
The devotional was written by Chris together with his former wife, Anita Oyakhilome, before they divorced. It has been translated into thousands of languages and distributed across the globe.
He has written numerous Christian books and devotionals, more than 30 other Christian books, including Gates of Zion, Your Right in Christ, The Power of Tongues, Holy Spirit and You, and How to Make Your Faith Work.
Many of these titles focus on Christian living, faith, the Holy Spirit, healing and spiritual growth.
Philanthropy and Charity
Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI) was founded in 2008 and oversees a number of philanthropic projects.
These include the InnerCity Mission Project, which works to assist orphaned and indigent children in inner cities in several countries, Trauma Care International Foundation, Volunteer Medical Corps, Bible For All Mission, and Future Africa Leaders’ Foundation.
Other agencies supported by COFI support education, healthcare, relief and community services in multiple countries.
Personal Life and Family
Chris Oyakhilome married Anita Ebhodaghe, also known as Anita Oyakhilome, on 2 February 1991, and they met as students at the university.
She was a pastor in Christ Embassy and closely involved in ministry work when married and was fondly called Pastor Anita. They have two daughters together.
Their first daughter is Carissa Sharon Oyakhilome, also referred to as Sharon, a gospel artist active in ministry and gospel music, and their second daughter is Charlene Oyakhilome, who is also involved in ministry activities.
On 6 October 2018, Pastor Benny Hinn officiated the wedding ceremony of Oyakhilome’s first daughter, Sharon, to Phillip Frimpong, a Ghanaian, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo as chairman of the occasion.
Divorce and Current Relationship Status
The couple filed for divorce on 9 April 2014, and the divorce was confirmed completed on 8 February 2016 after nearly 25 years of marriage.
In an official release made by Pastor Anita’s legal team, Attwaters Jameson Hill, it was stated that Anita Oyakhilome would like to confirm that she is no longer involved in or part of Christ Embassy, aka Believers Loveworld Inc.
He remains unmarried following his 2016 divorce, and there is no evidence that he has remarried or has a new wife. He has two daughters, both active in Christian service and public life.
Controversies and Criticism
Some of his health teachings have upset people and attracted criticism from official groups. He talks about HIV, malaria, and COVID-19 and speaks against vaccines.
He says prayer and faith healing can help people with HIV/AIDS, which experts argue is dangerous because HIV needs medical treatment.
Chris Oyakhilome has supported YouTube-propagated conspiracy theories, including a video linking the Coronavirus with the 5G mobile network rollout and a conspiracy of the New World Order.
He has also preached against vaccines, including for malaria, and has been accused of undermining efforts to eradicate serious infectious diseases.
UK Charity and Broadcasting Investigations
In an inquiry started in 2013, the UK Charity Commission found serious misconduct and or mismanagement in the administration of Christ Embassy, a charity associated with Oyakhilome and his church’s activities.
An interim manager was appointed to review the activities and governance of the charity, leading to a report that the board of trustees appeared to be fragmented and appeared to have little appreciation of their roles, duties and obligations as Trustees.
The interim manager served until the appointment of a new board of trustees in 2016, and following the appointment of the new board of trustees, significant progress was made to address the governance and improve oversight and control of the charity.
In 2021, the UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom fined the LoveWorld television network £125,000 after finding that the network had aired potentially harmful claims about the COVID-19 pandemic, including the unsubstantiated theory that the virus was linked to the rollout of 5G technology.
Chris Oyakhilome’s cars and houses
When it comes to property, Pastor Chris is mostly linked to one well-known home. He lives in a four-storey house in Oregun, Lagos. Many people call it the White House. The building has a large garage and sports facilities. Estimates often put its value above ₦150 million. This is usually described as his personal residence.
There are other houses in Nigeria and abroad. Christ Embassy, also known as LoveWorld, owns many large buildings used for services and events. These belong to the church, not him as an individual.
On the car side, he has access to a very large collection of 30 or more luxury vehicles and SUVs for his movements and official engagements.
His cars include a Bentley Continental GT, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, and Range Rover models, including the Sport and Sentinel. Other cars include the BMW 7 Series and the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.
Beyond cars, he uses private jets for international ministry travel. Some claim he owns two jets. One of them is said to have been a gift from people within his ministry.
Net Worth
According to Forbes, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s net worth was previously estimated between USD 30 million and USD 50 million.
Chris Oyakhilome earns most of his money through his church and related ventures. As the founder of Christ Embassy, he receives tithes, offerings and partnership donations from members around the world.
Media is another big source. LoveWorld runs TV and satellite channels, as well as digital platforms that broadcast Christian content globally.
Publishing also brings in income. He co-authored Rhapsody of Realities, a widely translated devotional, alongside other books and Christian materials.
Large events add to the revenue. Programmes like Healing Streams Live and Higher Life Conferences draw huge crowds and generate income through registrations, donations and sponsorships.
Music, technology and assets also play a role. LoveWorld’s music ministry, platforms like KingsChat, and assets such as real estate, private jets and luxury cars all contribute to his overall wealth.