One Church to over 20,000 The Living Faith Story
One Church to over 20,000 The Living Faith Story
The story of church growth in Nigeria cannot be told without mentioning Bishop David Oyedepo and the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel. What began as a small gathering in 1983 has become one of the largest Christian movements in the world. It is a story of faith, vision, and unstoppable expansion, a testament to what consistency and conviction can achieve in the service of God.
Bishop Oyedepo shared this remarkable journey during a reflection on the church’s planting history, tracing how one small beginning turned into a global wave. In 1983, there was only one Living Faith Church in Nigeria. It was a modest start with big dreams. A decade later, by 1993, the number had grown to 13. The growth may have seemed slow to some, but it was steady, deliberate, and deeply rooted in prayer and commitment.
A Steady Journey of Growth Through the Decades
By 2003, the story took a new turn. The number of churches had risen to 257. That period marked the first wave of serious expansion, driven by evangelism, missionary zeal, and the strong belief that every community deserved a place of worship. Members began to see the impact of structured church planting as the ministry moved from one city to another, building altars of faith across Nigeria.
Then came 2013, a landmark year that reflected a new phase of divine speed. Within that decade, the church multiplied to 5070 branches across the nation. The pace of growth surprised many observers. For Bishop Oyedepo and his team, however, it was not a surprise. It was a prophecy fulfilled. The ministry had entered a season of harvest after years of sowing seeds of service, dedication, and obedience to divine instruction.
By 2023, the numbers had exploded beyond imagination. From one church in 1983 to over 20000 in 2023, the Living Faith Church became one of the fastest growing Christian networks in the world. The story is more than numbers. It is a testimony of faith that works through vision, discipline, and leadership.
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Faith, Obedience, and a Global Mission
Bishop Oyedepo often emphasizes that the secret of such growth lies in obedience to divine direction. Every church planted was not just an expansion strategy but an act of faith. The vision was clear from the beginning, to bring the message of faith and transformation to every corner of the world. What started as a small prayer group in Kwara State has now become a global movement touching lives on every continent.
The foreign mission arm of the ministry also reflects this unstoppable growth. In 1995, there were only five churches outside Nigeria. The dream of spreading the gospel beyond national borders looked ambitious at the time. But the same spirit of faith that built thousands of churches at home drove the global expansion. By 2025, Living Faith Church had over 2000 branches across 143 nations, reaching souls on five major continents.
This growth is not just about numbers. It represents people, families transformed, communities changed, and destinies rebuilt. Each new branch tells a story of answered prayers, lives touched, and hope restored. The movement continues to grow not through competition but through compassion, discipline, and unwavering focus on the mission of spreading the word of faith.
Building People, Expanding Purpose
At the heart of this journey is a simple but powerful truth. Growth follows obedience. Bishop Oyedepo has always said that church growth is not a product of human effort alone but a divine partnership. The ministry invests heavily in leadership training, community outreach, and education, ensuring that each new church becomes a center of light and learning.
The expansion of Living Faith Church has also created opportunities for thousands of people across the world. Pastors, administrators, and volunteers form a network of workers who serve with passion and humility. Many have described the ministry’s growth model as a blend of spiritual conviction and organizational discipline. Each new decade brings a renewed commitment to reaching more people and building stronger communities of faith.
Beyond the impressive statistics, what stands out is the consistency of vision. For more than four decades, the mission has remained the same, to liberate the world from all oppression through the preaching of the word of faith. That unwavering focus has turned a local congregation into a global force.
A Legacy of Faith That Keeps Growing
Today, Living Faith Church has a presence in nearly every major Nigerian city and across several African nations. Its global headquarters, Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun State, remains one of the largest church auditoriums in the world. Yet, despite its size, the church’s message remains simple. Faith works, and God is faithful.
The story of this growth is one that continues to inspire the body of Christ across the globe. It is a call to every believer that small beginnings can lead to extraordinary outcomes when God is at the center. Bishop Oyedepo often reminds his congregation that no vision succeeds without discipline and dedication. He teaches that faith is not passive. It requires action, planning, and persistence.
As the church looks ahead, the goal is not just to multiply branches but to deepen impact. The ministry continues to invest in education through its universities and schools, in social programs that uplift communities, and in outreach that brings hope to the hopeless. Each new church planted is a sign that the mission continues and that the story of faith in Nigeria remains alive and strong.
From a single church in 1983 to over 20000 in 2023, and now a global family across 143 nations, the journey of Living Faith Church is proof that nothing is impossible when vision meets faith. It is a story of divine direction, human dedication, and the power of belief. Bishop David Oyedepo’s testimony serves as a reminder that great things begin small, but when guided by purpose and anchored in faith, they never stay small for long.
Content Credit :Boluwatife Abiola
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