Church Profile: Living Faith Church Worldwide (About Winners Chapel)

If you grew up in Nigeria—or anywhere around West Africa—and you've never heard of Winners Chapel, I'm not sure if you're living under a rock or just ignoring the loudspeakers during crossover night. That church that always has the longest services on December 31st? Yes, that one. Welcome to the story of Living Faith Church Worldwide, affectionately known as Winners Chapel. And trust me, this is not just another church profile. This is the story of faith, growth, vision, and plenty of “you shall not suffer” declarations that have echoed across continents.

Let’s take a walk through this journey, not just to know what makes the church tick, but to understand how a small church in Ilorin became a global force with over 20,000 branches and millions of faithful followers.

The Humble Beginning: One Man, One Vision

Our story begins in May 1981. A young man, David Oyedepo, just 26 years old then, was alone in prayer at a quiet retreat center in Ilesha, Osun State. While others were praying for jobs, visas, and better grades, this young man had a mind-blowing 18-hour vision. And in that vision, he claimed to have heard God say:
"The hour has come to liberate the world from all oppressions of the devil through the preaching of the Word of Faith."

Now, you know that’s not the kind of instruction you just get and go back to eating amala. Bishop Oyedepo took that vision seriously, and not long after, Living Faith Church was born. The first service reportedly had only four people. Today, that’s fewer than the number of ushers in one Winners’ sub-zone.

But from that point, things began to shift. Slowly but surely, the church moved to Kaduna, then to Lagos, and eventually settled in Ota, Ogun State, where history would be made.

Enter Canaanland: Where Faith Meets Architecture

Have you heard of Canaanland? No, it’s not just a church name. It’s a city within a city. Located in Ota, Canaanland is where the church's international headquarters resides. It’s also the home of what was once the largest church auditorium in the world—Faith Tabernacle—with over 50,000 seats. That’s right, not 500, not 5,000. Fifty thousand. That’s more than the capacity of some football stadiums.

Faith Tabernacle was constructed in just 12 months (1998–1999), completely debt-free. If you think building a duplex is hard, imagine constructing a stadium-sized church without a single bank loan. Only faith can explain that.

Today, Canaanland spans over 17,000 acres. It’s not just a worship center; it’s a city that houses:

• Covenant University (one of Nigeria’s top private universities),

• Faith Academy (a thriving secondary school),

• Kingdom Heritage Model Schools (for the kids),

• Dominion Publishing House (where Bishop’s bestsellers are made),

• Banks, bakeries, water factories, a gas station, a shopping complex, and even residential quarters.

I told you. It’s a city.

What Does Winners Chapel Believe?

Let’s break it down like you’re asking a church member after Sunday service while trying to beat Lagos traffic:

Winners Chapel believes in Word of Faith theology—meaning the Word of God is central to your life and can be used to unlock health, wealth, peace, and power. If you’ve ever heard terms like:

• “It is my year of breaking limits”

• “You shall not see shame”

• “I am more than a conqueror”...

You’ve already heard the echo of Winners’ doctrine.

The church teaches divine healing, financial prosperity, academic excellence, and absolute dominion over life’s troubles. Some critics call it the prosperity gospel, but for members, it’s simply living the reality of the Bible. According to Bishop Oyedepo, “You are not redeemed to be pitied but to be envied.”

It’s the type of message that makes you square your shoulders and face life with confidence.

Education: Raising Generations of Thinkers

If you thought Winners Chapel was all shout and no substance, think again. Education is one of the key pillars of this ministry. Under Oyedepo’s leadership, the church has invested billions in education.

• Covenant University, founded in 2002, is a world-class institution focused on producing “new generation leaders.”

• Landmark University, launched later in Kwara State, is focused on agriculture and nation-building.

• Faith Academy and other Kingdom Heritage Model Schools (KHMS) are spread across the country.

And if that’s not enough, they have the Word of Faith Bible Institute (WOFBI), a school where people hungry for ministry, growth, or deeper faith go for intensive Bible teaching. Every quarter, thousands graduate with spiritual fire in their bones.

A Global Church: From Ilorin to the Nations

From just four people in 1983 to a global network today, Living Faith Church is present in over 147 countries. That’s not a typo. Whether you’re in London, New York, Nairobi, Toronto, Johannesburg, or Sydney, you’ll most likely find a Winners Chapel International not too far away.

And every December, they host Shiloh, a week-long convention that draws millions of people to Ota, both physically and online. Think of it as the Coachella of Christian conferences—but with fasting, prayer, testimonies, and midnight declarations. People come from around the world for healing, answers, and spiritual renewal.

And don’t forget the evangelism drive. In 2020 alone, the church planted over 10,000 churches in Nigeria. Yes, in one year. Now imagine the logistics.

Dominion Mandate: Business, Publishing, and Giving Back

Let’s be clear—Winners Chapel is more than a church. It’s a faith-based enterprise. Through its arms like Dominion Publishing House, the church has published hundreds of books on faith, business, healing, and relationships. If you’ve ever walked into a church bookstore, you’ll probably find “Understanding Divine Direction,” “Winning Prayer,” or “Anointing for Breakthrough” on the shelf.

But beyond books, the church is also a major player in corporate social responsibility:

• Scholarships for students across Nigeria,

• Free medical outreaches in rural communities,

• Borehole drilling in underserved villages,

• Prison ministry, food distribution, and support for widows.

At a time when churches are often criticized for doing little for the poor, Winners Chapel continues to show that ministry is not only from the pulpit.

The Man Behind the Mandate: Bishop David Oyedepo

Whether you agree with his theology or not, you can’t deny that Bishop David Oyedepo is one of the most influential religious figures in Africa. He is an author, teacher, architect, and founder of two major universities. His teachings have shaped millions of lives, his institutions have trained thousands of graduates, and his messages have sparked countless testimonies.

He is also known for his no-nonsense approach to discipline, his deep love for books, and his famous one-liners:

• “There is no mountain anywhere, every man's ignorance is his mountain.”

• “You cannot be dedicated and not be decorated.”

The man knows how to preach with style.

Controversies? Of Course.

With greatness comes critics. Some have criticized the church for its emphasis on prosperity. Others have questioned how much wealth is concentrated at the top. But for every critic, there are thousands who testify to healing, jobs, business breakthroughs, and marriages restored. In Oyedepo’s words, “Results cancel insults.”

🏗️ What’s Next? The Ark

Let’s not forget the Ark Project—a new megastructure being built to replace the current Tabernacle. The Ark will seat over 100,000 worshippers and house a 24-floor mission tower. Yep, twenty-four floors.

And yes, as you guessed—it’s being built debt-free.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a die-hard member, a curious observer, or someone scrolling through faith-based content during work hours (we won’t tell your boss), one thing is clear: Living Faith Church Worldwide is more than just another church.

It’s a movement. A city. A ministry with roots in Africa but branches across the globe. A living example that with vision, faith, and relentless discipline, even four people in a prayer room can become a global phenomenon.

So the next time you hear someone shout “I am a Winner!”, don’t just roll your eyes. That declaration has a long and powerful story behind it.

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Thanks for reading. Don’t forget to share this with someone who needs to know what Winners Chapel is really about.