Have you ever imagined men of God, pastors featured on Forbes list of richest people in the world. These popular preachers have over the years built mega churches and ministries worth millions of dollars in the Christian religion.
While some might argue that these pastors who are meant to be custodians of God’s word that brings healing and salvation to their congregation have deviated and focused more on preaching financial prosperity and sowing of seed.
These wealthy pastors own private jets, live in multi-million dollar mansions, have assets scattered home and abroad that you wonder whether these preachers know what it takes to imitate Jesus Christ, the God they claim they worship.
Forbes, a reputable magazine, have listed 10 of these richest pastors in the world who are extremely wealthy and influential. Please note that these wealthy preachers are from various countries most especially the United States.
Here are Forbes top 10 richest preachers in the world & their net worth 2023.
Bishop David Oyedepo – Net Worth $150 million
David Oyedepo tops the list as the richest pastor in the world with a financial worth of $150 million. According to Forbes, he overtook Bishop T.D jakes to claim this spot due to his many investments.
David Oyedepo comes from Nigeria and he is the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel. The church has many branches worldwide including one of the largest auditoriums in the country with over 50,000 capacity.
He doubles as the richest preacher in Africa and Nigeria with series of investments. Some of which include two private universities in the country, Covenant and Landmark University, an expensive private jet and host of other schools in the country.
His ministry which started in 1981 has grown globally and has over 350 locations in Nigeria including other countries such as US, Dubai and the United Kingdom.
Bishop T. D Jakes – Net Worth $147 Million
Thomas Dexter Jakes is Forbes second richest pastor in the world and his financial worth is estimated at $147 million dollars.
Aside from being an influential pastor, he is also an author, actor, singer and even a film producer.
T. D Jakes was born in 1957, West Virginia, United States. Sources say that he has traced his ancestry lineage to Nigeria in one of the Yoruba speaking states.
He is the founder of the potters house. There was a time his ministry was one of America’s most popular churches in Dallas, Texas with a capacity of over 30,000 worshipers.
Bishop Jakes is known to be a powerful American preacher whose messages is streamed worldwide on various television outlets.
As an author, most of his best selling books include: Woman thou art loosed, and The lady, her lover and her God. These books have sold millions of copies and have inspired many soul.
Bishop T. D Jakes also lives a luxurious life style. He owns a mansion worth $1.8 million and is also among the pastors that owns a private jet in the world.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – Net Worth $50 Million
Chris Oyakhilome is an influential Nigerian preacher and pastor who performs miracles. His net worth of $50 million puts him among the richest preachers in the world.
He is also the founder of Believers LoveWorld popularly known as Christ Embassy, one of the biggest Pentecostal churches in Nigeria. Pastor Chris began his ministry on at the Ambrose Ali University.
Most of his teachings on the word of God are aired on various Christian channels. Even though his healing miracles were banned on TV, he still does it and this has gained him attention, respect and even criticisms.
The reason behind the increase in attendants at Pastor Chris church service is that most popular gospel artists in the country like Frank Edwards, Sinach, etc were all groomed in his church.
His LoveWorld Ministry broadcast streams live church service to various nations of the world; from Africa, Asia and even in Europe and United States preaching the good news of the risen Christ to the world at Large.
Joel Osteen – Net Worth $40 million
Joel Scott Osteen is one of the richest American televangelist with a net worth estimated at $40 to $60 million dollars by Forbes.
Born March 5, 1963, Joel Osteen is the head pastor at Lakewood Church, a non-denominational church based in Houston, Texas. Osteen’s father was the founder of this church which had a congregation of 5000 members.
When Joel Osteen took over after his father died, he grew the church to have more than 40,000 attendants at the Lakewood church. His sermons are televised and are watched by over 7 million viewers weekly increasing to 20 million monthly viewers in just 100 countries.
Osteen is also an author and has written many books about prayer, healing, anointing, fighting temptations, etc. His first book, “Your Best Life Now” remained on The New York Times Best Seller list for weeks.
Aside from owning a private jet, he currently lives in a $10 million dollar mansion with his wife, Victoria Osteen and their children.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye Net Worth $39 Million
Pastor E.A Adeboye heads the largest Pentecostal churches with many branches in the country, the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
He is the most respected pastor in Nigeria because of his humility and unbiased nature. His inspirational preaching has earned him a place among the top influential preachers in the world.
Prior to his appointment as the General Overseer of RCCG, he was a professor of Mathematics. When it comes to prayer and spirituality, Pastor E.A Adeboye excels in these area.
He is among the Nigerian pastors who own a private jet, not forgetting the Redeemers University owned by his church. Adeboye is worth $39 million dollars as written by Forbes.
Pastor Creflo Dollar – Net Worth $27 Million
Creflo Marchus Dollar is also a wealthy American gospel preacher who lives an extravagant lifestyle. He is worth an estimated $27 million as put by Forbes 2018.
His preaching is mostly based on prosperity rather than salvation. He doesn’t shy away from this as he preaches it with all seriousness.
He is the founder of World Changers Church International, College Park in Georgia, United States. The church’s congregation is numbered to be about 30,000.
Some of the million dollar assets owned by Creflo includes two Rolls Royce, a private jet and luxurious mansions.
Kenneth Copeland – Net Worth $25 Million
Kenneth Max Copeland is also one of Forbes richest pastor in the world whose estimated financial worth is $25 million dollars. He is also an American author, public speaker and televangelist.
He founded his own ministry, Kenneth Copeland Ministries where he has been able to preach his prosperity messages to his church’s congregation.
Copeland was criticized for his lavish spending and luxurious life-style since he was a pastor.
The Kenneth Copeland Ministries was built on a 1500 acres of land. Aside the church auditorium located within the 1500 acres, there is also a mini airstrip and hanger which is used to keep all private jets and air crafts owned by himself and his ministry.
Benny Hinn – Net Worth $25 Million
Evangelist Benny Hinn is one the most successful and powerful pastors in the world that heals and performs miracles. He hails from Israel and is a popular televangelist.
He is also an author and has published many books which other top preachers use as a guide in their various ministries, especially on How to hear God’s voice, etc.
Most of Benny Hinn’s miracle crusades are held in large stadiums to accommodate the crowd waiting to hear him preach or heal.
Late Prophet T.B Joshua – Net Worth $10 Million
One of the popular richest prophets in the country was Temitope Balogun Joshua. He was also a televangelist, pastor and a well known philanthropist.
Almost all his prophecies are known to come to pass. He was the founder of The Synagogue Church of All Nations located in Lagos, Nigeria.
What made the late T.B Joshua was due to his healing and miracles being performed in his church by himself and his wise men.
Apart from this, he is a respected preacher and is known by virtually African country leaders. People from all over the world flock around his church for healing of different infirmities.
What stands him out among other rich pastors is his philanthropic act, always helping the less privileged, widows and awarding scholarships to students to study overseas.
According to Forbes, The Late Prophet T.B Joshua was worth $10 million
Pastor Joseph Prince – Net Worth $5 Million
Joseph Prince is also one of the richest preachers in the world worth $5 million as estimated by Forbes.
Prince comes from Malaysia and operates the largest ministry in the Asian continent.
His Gospel messages of Christ are broadcasted using the Internet, social media, podcast, online videos to over 100 countries.
The above are the richest pastors in the world and their net worth this 2023
This is serious. So pastors are really making this kind of money in Nigeria. I must start my own Church oo. Maybe call it one funny name. Lol
Well, i think government should sanction some of these pastors. They are really deceiving people. Just imagine somebody’s net worth!!
Why can’t you say the same thing to our EVIL 🙈 politician’s who are only for their pocket. But to your ignorant you critising the ones whom God have to bless life’s
Hmm look at you mr. Edeh Samuel can you give 10% the sacrifice they gave to attain their Position? What Knowledge do you have? Everybody has his own billions in him, it left to them how to bring it on their palm. Creativity, do you have it? Productivity, are you producing? Reproductivity, are you reproducing? Subdue, are you subduing the market? Distribution, are you distributing your products. My brother please wake up from your dream, the world is awaiting your name among the richest of the world don’t subdue yourself to critizism. Wisdom is the principal thing but in all thy gettings get Understanding… The lord is your strength.
Very well spoken kasali Daniel. There are some comments that one will make, it will just close their heavens, especially to Some genuine God elects. And when their lives turns upside down, quess who will they apportion the blame to? the devil. Mainwhile talking anyhow is their major problem. Poeple should endeavor to show even if not to others, but to themselves in order not to encure enpleasant forces against you.
God bless u
I would rather receive a normal salary to support my family send my kids to school, and all other money goes towards building a ministry. Do I need a mansion ? No. Do I need my own private plane? No. Do I need diamond on my fingers ? No . I would rather send all the kids in the congregation to college that have good grades or help the poor in my community that are homeless. Those that have mental health problems or the simple have nots in the community. Not judging but some of us get our riches here on earth and some of us with get our riches in heaven
It is the doing of God’s work in their life no one should ever think of criticizing them
This is not just right. Even christ in the bible gave all including his own life. Why taxing the poor church members.
You are the one who always see the poor, God doesn’t see any one as poor.
So wake up.
Can I ask a question
Why is it that the universities they own are some of the most expensive in the country
No pastor has ever deeper their hands into any member’s pocket
Carefulness with speech pls
Comment.you need to ask GOD 4 mercy
How do u Know the church members are poor. As u can read these men invested well and have many streams of income 🙏
Jesus did not leave rich, he lived poor to show as an example of sacrifice. A messager of God show imitate the savior .
Comment:I don’t just understand pastors of nowadays oh 🤔
Nice words, can’t just imagine oyedepo wife taking her own son to court because of church that she is the nice President of living faith church world
Jesus could command any wealth in the world and he wasn’t poor as you thought brother check Matthew 2; his father was a carpenter and carpentry was like the oil and gas in our days. Jesus was a man on a mission, the mission wasn’t money. These men of God has impacted lives, the beat way they can, young man. Look for a niche you can influence and think about the world and the world will pay you abundantly.
why is it that when pastors need financial help most times they ask church to make donation , but when a member needs help they ask the church to pray for the member , and why is that pastors sells protection stickers to members creating their mindset to have faith in heavenly protection but still they take police for their own protect
Comment: how can a Nigerian pastor be the richest pastor in the world?
where in the Bible did Jesus command us to multiply wealth to ourselves?
All this pastor eh….make God help us!
JESUS CHRIST SAID I NEVER SPOKE TO THEM I NEVER SAID TAKE MONEY FROM MY PEOPLE IT US WRITTEN DOWN . TBE EVANGELIST OUR USING MY NAME AND SELLING BOOKS FOR GAIN I NEVER SPOKE TO THEM
Nice words, can’t just imagine oyedepo wife taking her own son to court because of church that she is the nice President of living faith church world
People please, avoid involving yourself with church matters, because of posts, comments and carnal criticism will inactiivate the zeal of some new born believers in the faith. The best you can do, is to pray for those persons sometimes might be wrong or ruled by human feeling. But you, l mean you Mr and Mrs critic has no solemn right to judge them.
If you really want to know why, then please when next you want read the Bible ask the holy spirit for understanding and read always read the Bible meticulously.
Atila will you shut up..and how do you know that people criticizing them didn’t receive the understanding from the holy spirit and it told them that the pastors are fake..Christianity was brought to Africa by whites,in return they took Africans as slaves and colonized them for centuries..i believe in God but 99% of pastors and priests are fake..they are there for the money without paying a single kobo in tax..they are just humans preying on the gullibility of Africans especially African women..
Read you bible,obey the ten commandmets,obey the 2commandments of christ,give to the poor and you will make heaven..you don’t need any1 to choreograph fake miracles and speaking in fake tongues before you can make heaven
To all of you mocking and criticizing rich pastors especially in Nigeria,did you expect them to become beggers, suffer or starve to death, before you believe they were genuinely called by God? No! God is not a man. When a man of God is poor,you say his God is not working, when he is rich ,you guys says he’s too rich. Won’t you sit down, shut up and humble thou generation of vipers and python Who are you to judge another mans servant even if he fall or rise,he falls and rises to his master. Leave men of God alone and mind your future/business. Stop incurring problems to yourself with your mouth. May the Lord show mercy on all of you who are against the riches of a man of God.
Not only that a Nigeria pastor is the richest o, but five of them are in the first ten hmm, church business must be very good in this part the world o, God knows better…
What does one man need $140,000,000.00 for? Can’t take it with you. Should be giving it away to the needy and then you would have riches in heaven. If I was those pastors I’d be scarred to meet God on judgment day.
All this your Judas-like comment… My guy, calm down oh!
Hmmm may God help us the needy in the mighty name of jesus 🙏😭😭
You all that’s criticizing and calling this pastors fake, why not open your own church and practice the true one, stay poor, trek to church on bare foot. Since that’s the way to heaven…😡😡😡
When they were poor and carrying the cross of Jesus on their soldiers, you all was nowhere to be found. When they were fasting and praying for months without food, where were you all..?
When the ungodly ppl make money it’s a good thing but when God’s servants make money, it’s a crime. Why..? you servants of Satan why..?
First off, these men are far wealthier than this. Since 2011, my dear man of God, Pastor Chris and Bishop Oyedepo have been worth $50m and $150m respectively! Common! Common sense should tell you they should have gone far beyond that threshold by now! I am even worth almost those! Steven Furtick of the Elevation Church in America is worth $65m as at this February,2021 and is not even mentioned here talk more of Pastor Chris!
Comment: Do not judge all based on another’s act or deed. The bible says amongst the children of God there are also children of darkness.
On the last days ma y will come in my name, but not all are true. Remember it is “not all are true” and not “all are not true”, so please let’s ask for the spiritual gift of discernment to know the true men of God rather than criticizing all.
God knows whoever is truly sent by Him so let’s leave the judging to Him. Do not ignorantly speak condemning words to His servants that you may not suffer from His wrath. Peace be with you all.
I dont understand what really in this country and pastors
When God first made man he said to him let him have DOMINION…… If this pastors we’re poor and came preaching to u, u would hate him. Now they are rich and some talk next nonsense. God is a God of glory and we are also to leave for his glory. Poverty does not bring glory to him but shame. Read psalm 8 IT SAYS, HE has made him little lower than the Angels and crowned him with glory and honor. HE has made him have DOMINION over the work of his hands and has put all things under his feet. This depicts a Man God has exalted and lifted up. May God grant our hearts understanding and refuse to be in the class of persons JESUS was referring in Matthew 13vs 15
Be careful, if they are fake they Will be punished, but if you
too judge them, you’ll also be punished. Ask for wisdom to understand why all this is happening.
Wow nice words from kasali Daniel, The Bible says touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm its only sacrifices that can bring one to this stage.
-2 Corinthians 8:9; For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor that ye through His poverty might be rich.
-God delights in the prosperity of His people.
-The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.
-Give and it shall be given unto you, good measures pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure you mete, withal it shall be measured to you again.
– My people perish for lack of knowledge.
Please my brothers and sisters. Let us not be misled. Prosperity is God’s will for us. In fact, we have not scratched the surface of what God has in store for us. People are obeying godly financial principles and getting results.
To challenge us, King Solomon under the old covenant without Jesus, the cross, His death and resurrection, His blood and the Holy Spirit, gained as much wealth as he did, as well as wisdom. What about us that have all these added advantages? Shouldn’t we be at least twice as much as he was. Again, we have not even scratched the surface. Let us trust God for enlightenment. The problem is that most of us are not willing to pay the price for such wealth but want to enjoy them. So when we don’t get what we want, we become envious of others that are getting results and start speaking ill of them.
King Solomon, in God’s temple, sacrificed about 22000 cows and 120 000 sheep in one day, how many of us can do that now?
Can God trust us with His resources? Some of us will even use the money to persecute pastors and the church. Some will become atheists.
Not everyone posting comments online is normal. Some are strategically placed by the devil wherever the things of the kingdom are being discussed to bring deception, be careful.
He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying. Selah!
Weda gud or bad never speak or discuss a man of God
Make sure you all invest in your self and family and not give every dime to pastors. Pastors have obligations to their children and grandchildren not members.