Christ Embassy
| Christ Embassy | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Evangelicalism |
| Theology | Neo-charismatic movement |
| Region | World |
| Headquarters | Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Founder | Chris Oyakhilome |
| Origin | 1987 |
| Official website | www |
Christ Embassy (also known as LoveWorld Incorporated or Believers' Loveworld) is a megachurch and Christian denomination founded in 1987 by Chris Oyakhilome who hails from Edo State, Nigeria.
The Church, with its headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, has since become a global network of churches, with congregations in many countries. By 2019 the church had 145 branches on five continents. The Church has ministries in Canada,Ghana,Nigeria, South Africa, the United States, and the United Kingdom.[1][2]
History
[edit]The church started with a prayer group led by Chris Oyakhilome, at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, while he was studying architecture in 1987.[3][4] The church celebrated its 30th anniversary in November 2017.[5][6]
Several other ministries around the world participate in its programs and conferences including the International Pastors and Partners Conference (IPPC), which is held every November in Lagos, Nigeria; the International Cell Leaders' Conference (ICLC), which is held in the middle of the year; the International School of Ministry; the Healing School, etc. [7]
United Kingdom
[edit]Christ Embassy is a registered charity in the UK, established in 1996.[8] In July 2013, the Charity Commission launched an inquiry regarding the use of charitable funds; however, inspections of records did not resolve concerns about its financial management, and in August 2014, the Charity Commission appointed an interim manager to run the charity until 2016.[9][1] British tax authorities withheld £2.8 million in Gift Aid tax refunds from the charity as they were concerned not all of the charity's income was being spent for charitable purposes.[10]
Australia
[edit]A branch of the Christ Embassy Church in Sydney was ordered to close for seven days in August 2021 after an illegal in-person service was conducted there during a COVID-19 lockdown.[11] The service was attended by 60 people. The pastor of the church had previously discouraged his followers from receiving COVID-19 vaccines.[12]
LoveWorld television stations
[edit]Christ Embassy runs seven TV channels, including LoveWorld TV, LoveWorld SAT, LoveWorld Plus, LoveWorld UK, LoveWorld Nigeria, LoveWorld India, and LoveWorld USA.[13]: 118 LoveWorld USA is run in partnership with Pastor Benny Hinn, who appears in many programs on the channel.[14]
LoveWorld UK
[edit]His UK TV channel was sanctioned twice in the UK for sharing misinformation about COVID-19, including suggesting that Covid was planned and vaccines included manipulative nanochips.[15]
LoveWorld USA
[edit]LoveWorld USA was an American Christian cable television network launched by Chris Oyakhilome and Benny Hinn in 2017.[16][17] It was available on Charter Spectrum and DirecTV as well as other small cable operators in the U.S. Currently, LoveWorld USA has stopped cable broadcasting and is no longer available on DirectTV or Charter Spectrum, but is still available for streaming on its website.
Loveworld Publications
[edit]Oyakhilome's publishing house, Loveworld Publications,publishes his books, including ‘Rhapsody of Realities,’ a monthly Christian devotional that sells 2 million copies every month.[18]
Christ Embassy also has a book publishing firm called LoveWorld Publishing Ministry.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Sam Burne James (12 August 2014). "Charity Commission appoints interim manager for evangelical church charity Christ Embassy". Third Sector. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ "The Family of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Revealed". Punch Newspapers. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
- ^ T. A. Falaye (March 2015). "The Ministry of Christ Embassy, Lagos. Nigeria" (PDF). European Researcher. 92 (3): 230–236. doi:10.13187/er.2015.92.230. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ Laurent Fourchard, André Mary, René Otayek, "Entreprises religieuses transnationales en Afrique de l'Ouest", Karthala Editions, France, 2005, page 470
- ^ Krinsky, Alberto (2017-10-23). "A Special Message from Pastor Deola in Preparation for the IPPC 2017". Pastor Chris Live USA. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
- ^ IPPC 2017 with Pastor Chris - YOU Church is celebratint 30 years of BLW, retrieved 2019-09-27
- ^ O, Paulinus (3 September 2014). "Revealed: Seven secrets of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome!". Theinfong. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ "Christ Embassy, registered charity no. 1059247". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
- ^ "[Withdrawn] Charity Inquiry: Christ Embassy". GOV.UK. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ Weakley, Kirsty (18 February 2014). "Christian charity is subject to HMRC investigation". Civil Society. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ McPhee, Sarah (25 August 2021). "Seven-day ban on Sydney church after illegal sermon, $49,000 in fines". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ^ Reddie, Mark (25 August 2021). "Pastor who urged Sydney congregation to 'refuse every lockdown' hit with prohibition order". ABC News. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ^ Kalu, Ogbu (31 March 2008). African Pentecostalism: An Introduction. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-971293-9.
- ^ "About LoveWorld USA". Loveworld USA. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
- ^ "'We declare that lockdowns are over': Sydney pastor's COVID sermon before police raid". 7NEWS. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ Christ3mbassy (June 5, 2017). "LoveWorld USA launches new Christian TV Network!".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ French, Jae. "About". LoveWorld USA.
- ^ Nsehe, Mfonobong. "The Five Richest Pastors In Nigeria". Forbes. Retrieved 26 October 2023.