Faith
Real Reason Why I Changing Planes Like Bicycles- Bishop Oyedepo
BY: Olu James Rapheal
Founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide AKA Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has opened up on why he has so many fleets of private jets.
The Prosperity Preacher Pastor said that the reason is because God has blessed him richly, he stated this In a recent sermon at his church,
The popular pastor disclosed that when God first told him that he was going to fly, he and his church never pursued it with human energy.
He said: ”God told us we are going to fly; if He left us to plan to fly, it won’t enter our budget in the next ten years. We are just changing planes like we change bicycles because His blessings make us rich and add no sorrow.
“We didn’t confess; we didn’t pray, pray for the plane to do what? They asked me, which kind of plane and I said any kind. I don’t know the name of any because I wasn’t shopping for it.”
On the Ark Project, Oyedepo said the church had not announced any offering in Canaanland or branches of the church.
The bishop said: ”The dollar-to-naira rate has tumbled and tumbled, but the blessings have tumbled too. There is no forex input from outside Nigeria on the Ark Project, yet there is no pressure on anybody.”
On tithes, the Bishop said people who pay their tithes don’t lack, stressing that tithe payment is biblical.
He said ”John D. Rockefeller was a tither, and he ended up the first American billionaire in history. People don’t lack what they give; they only lack what they keep. He was tithe raised, tithe groomed and tithe sustained.”
The Founder and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Paul Eneche, and other prominent clergymen will be speaking at a convention planned by the Glorious Covenant Ministry (GCM) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to mark its 30th anniversary.
The convention scheduled to hold on October 15, in Rumuolumeni community, would parade other speakers such as Dr. Friday Bekee, Dr. Steve Ogan, Pastor Ezenekwe Allen, P.J. Alagoa, Femi Adesanya, Ben Goodness, among others.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, ahead of the programme, the General Superintendent of Glorious Covenant, Pastor Dagogo Cookey-Gam, said the church was founded on October 16, 1994 at the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
Cookey-Gam said the church went through many trials before standing.
He said: “For the pioneer members of the ministry who 30 years ago were separated by God for beginning a new work for Him, I believe the memories of all that transpired that led to the birth of the new baby named GCM is still very much with us.
“This is our Pearl Anniversary, and it has been set aside to truly appreciate God for the things He has done, and all the giant strides the Ministry has made under God within this period.
“I thank God for the privilege of being your chief host in this convention of the ministry as the General Superintendent, which incidentally is my first. Our last Convention, which was our Silver Jubilee, was five years ago in 2019. A Lot has happened from then till now.
“Today, we have land, houses, souls that we did not have when we came on. As we celebrate 30 years of our journey and existence as a people, we have every reason to bless the name of the Lord. He has carried us to cities, towns, villages and countries and we are still on the move”.
Cookey-Gam disclosed that 30 years after, the church had spread to over 40 branches, noting that its branches had also spread to Ghana.
“The Ministry today has three districts, with 36 parishes located in six states and Abuja and three missionary churches. The ministry has an international presence in Ghana where we are in two cities.This gives a total of over 40 locations where our churches are sited.”
Speaking on the theme of the programme, “Greater Glory: Haggai 2:9”, Cookey-Gam said: “Over the course of this convention, we will explore the depths of this theme”.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Planning Committee for the programme, Dr Blessing Daniel-Kalio, said the ministry was structured to reach the needs of the members and the less privileges in the society.
She said the church epitomised love for all members, especially the women, adding that it recently organised empowerment programme as part of effort to cushion the economic hardship in the society.
Rev Abayomi Kasali, the founder and Senior Pastor the Foundation of Truth Assembly, has challenged the prosperity preachers men of God to show him a passage in the holy book where Jesus preach prosperity and acquisition of wealth.
Pastor Kasali stated this during an interview in a podcast session that bother on the prosperity message.
According to him Jesus at no point preached the acquisition of wealth while insisting that material acquisition has nothing to do with the gospel of Christ “Prosperity gospel has nothing to do with the gospel of Christ,” Rev Kasali stated while explaining himself in the interview.
He said after closely examining the bible, especially the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, he has not found any indication in the preaching of Jesus that he was in favour of material gains. “Jesus never spoke about the accumulation of wealth or gaining material things. Rather He cautioned against the vice of greed,”
Quoting Jesus’statement, he said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things that he has”. No man can serve two masters for he will hate the one, and love the other.
Kasali who was quite forceful in his delivery said there is nowhere Jesus spoke positively about material acquisition while also describing the prosperity message as prosperity jargon. “Jesus told the people that instead of Gathering
More, and more, it was preferable to part with what one has. Jesus did not go to the cross because of naira and dollars. I insist that Jesus did not speak acquisition, he spoke disposition. We don’t measure a man’s life with the things he has. Greed and God cannot work together.
Referring to those who preach material prosperity, he said, “You just rubbished the most significant aspect of our faith, the blood and body of our Lord Jesus Christ”
The senior pastor of the Elevation Church, Godman Akinlabi, Laju Iren, Blessing Nze are among the top personality to lead the largest single gathering in Africa.
The highly anticipated Singles Hangout is designed for singles from diverse backgrounds, will be hosted simultaneously in Lagos and Abuja on Saturday, 28th September, starting at 9am till evening.
This comeback edition, organised by Surge, the youth movement of The Elevation Church, promises an energetic atmosphere where singles can meet, network, and foster new friendships. It underscores the church’s mission to disciple the younger generation, shape contemporary culture, and address the pressing issues faced by today’s youth. The Singles Hangout is an opportunity for singles to engage in thought-provoking conversations while enjoying a seamless fusion of faith, fun, and fellowship.
ALSO READ: The Elevation Church Manchester Celebrates First Anniversary with Day of Service at Salford Food Bank https://theverdict.ng/2024/06/03/the-elevation-church-manchester-celebrates-first-anniversary-with-day-of-service-at-salford-food-bank/
Speaking on the event, Godman Akinlabi remarked, “As Myles Munroe once said, ‘Singleness is not a disease that needs to be cured; it’s a season that needs to be understood.’ We are redefining what it means to be young, single, and purposeful. I invite every single person to join us for an experience that will inspire them to thrive in love, life, and relationships, and equip them for the journey ahead.”
One of the event’s key features will be a candid discussion on love, life, and relationships, including a Singles Townhall that explores the desires and expectations of men and women. A special segment titled ‘Grown and Ready’ will cater to mature singles. Esteemed speakers and facilitators include Global Lead Pastor Godman Akinlabi, author and relationship coach Pastor Laju Iren, alongside notable personalities such as Pastor Debo Omotunde, actors Stan and Blessing Nze, and other relationship experts like Morenike Molehin and Yemi & Ayo Aderibigbe.
The gathering will also be enriched by dynamic musical performances from EmmaOMG, AnEndlessOcean, the Surge & LifePointe Band, AdikaMusic, EmmaSings, Ayodele Enoch, Psalm Jay, DJ RevaWellz, and DJ Sammy. This stellar lineup ensures an unforgettable experience filled with music, laughter, and community.
The Singles Hangout is set to be more than just an event—it will be a vibrant celebration of community and shared values, offering a unique environment where singles can come together to learn, form meaningful connections, and experience personal growth.
For more information and to register for free, please visit elevationng.org/hangout.