Pastor, faith healer, author, and television host, Chris Oyakhilome, known by his followers as Pastor Chris, is the founder and president of LoveWorld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, based in Lagos, Nigeria. He has inspired millions of people worldwide with his unique telling of God’s Word.
Pastor Chris: The Man
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, born on December 7th, 1963 in Edo State, Nigeria, grew up in a family of faith, supported by loving and devoted parents. He is the oldest son born to Elder T.E Oyakhilome, one of the pioneers of the Assemblies of God Church in Benin City, and Angelina, and the matriarch of the Oyakhilome family, who imprinted her divine grace on her son at an early age.
The whole family is actively involved in the LoveWorld ministry. His brother, Reverend Ken, is the esteemed Pastor of Christ Embassy’s Houston, Texas Church and a member of Christ Embassy Central Executive Council, and his sister, KattyWorghiren, is the director of the LoveWorld Music and Arts Ministry (LMAM), which is home to several global best-selling gospel artists.
Pastor Chris has two daughters, Carissa Sharon and Charlene. Carissa Sharon has chosen to follow her father’s example of sharing the Word of God with the world, also known as CSO, she is a talented, award-winning gospel singer and member of the LoveWorld Music and Arts family.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome studied at Edo College before winning a scholarship to study architecture at Bendel State University, known today as Ambrose Ali University, where he obtained a BSc in Architecture and an honorary Doctor of Science award. He also has an honorary doctorate in divinity from the Benson Idahosa University. While at Ambrose Ali University, he got his calling from God to go into the ministry and be a servant to the Lord.
Pastor Chris: The Mentor
The Man of God started what would become one of the largest churches in the world when he was still a student at university, with a small prayer group called ‘Youth for Christ’, which eventually evolved into the most popular organizations of its type on campus and would serve as the foundation of the future Christ Embassy and LoveWorld Incorporated with millions of followers around the world.
Under Pastor Chris’s guidance, the LoveWorld ministry became a pioneer in satellite television and Christian television production and programming. LoveWorldSAT was the first Christian television station broadcast out of Africa to the rest of the world, 24/7, nonstop on free-to-air networks. Today, there are LoveWorld television stations available across cable and satellite networks around the world.
Christ Embassy has a strong presence in Pastor Chris’s native Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. The ministry has two Healing Schools, based in South Africa and Canada, where Pastor Chris holds seasonal sessions where miracles are performed.
Songs and Gospel Music are also an integral part of worship. Pastor Chris encourages Christ Embassy Churches to have a choir trained by the Loveworld Music and Arts Ministry, and through the spirit and guidance of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, many of these singers go on to have successful solo careers.
The Future African Leaders Foundation (FALF) is an organization that focuses on continuing the inspiring work of Pastor Chris. It is aimed at identifying and developing young, talented leaders and preparing them for a positive future by recognizing and supporting their incredible achievements. Pastor Chris is investing in the youth of today so they can be the leaders of tomorrow.
Pastor Chris: The Teacher
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome hosts international events and conferences that bring together thousands of Christians from all corners of the world. As one of the most recognizable and influential pastors in all of Nigeria and the world, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s teachings will continue to inspire and move souls for decades to come.
Pastor Chris is also a prolific writer and author who has written hundreds of books and devotionals. His most famous publication is the Rhapsody of Realities, a daily devotional prayer study guide that offers his inspirational insights into the powerful Word of God. Rhapsody of Realities has been translated into thousands of different languages and distributed to millions of people worldwide.
In addition to his publications, several of Pastor Chris’s sermons, prayers, and thoughtful reflections can be accessed online through the Pastor Chris Digital Library, a repository offering access to hundreds of thousands of hours of videos and audio recordings in several different languages.
Pastor Chris has also built a large social media following on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and his ministry’s own social network, KingsChat. KingsChat brings together the digital community of LoveWorld believers allowing them to share, follow and engage with one another on a more spiritual level in a safe environment.
Pastor Chris: The Philanthropist
A passionate philanthropist, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome started the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI), a non-profit, non-governmental organization with the mission to help the most vulnerable people and communities in some of the poorest countries and regions of the world.
As well as preaching the Gospel, the Man of God has established NGOs with a mission of delivering vital services and hope to the poor, needy, and forgotten souls. COFI has five partners that are all dedicated to raising living standards in some of the most underdeveloped areas.
Under the auspices of COFI are the InnerCity Mission (ICM) for Children, the Volunteer Medical Corps (VMC), Trauma Care International Foundation (TCIF), Future Africa Leaders Foundation (FALF), and the Bible For All Mission. Each of these organizations works to improve the lives, health, and spirits of those most in need.
His charity also provides sustenance to indigent children. Through COFI and The InnerCity Mission, Pastor Chris believes in supporting strong foundations of community by promoting good governance, accountable leadership, and sustainable development in Africa and in other vulnerable parts of the world in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals. As an ambassador for Christ and with such a diverse and successful ministry, it’s easy to see how Pastor Chris’s message has reached so many souls.