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Chris Oyakhilome
Christian Oyakhilome (born 7 December 1963), known as Pastor Chris, is a Nigerian pastor, author, televangelist and president of LoveWorld Incorporated, a Christian ministry based in Lagos. He is the founder of Christ Embassy, a large congregation with branches in several countries, and the author of the daily devotional Rhapsody of Realities.[1][2] Oyakhilome also organises mass rallies and his "healing school" is held periodically every year in Nigeria and South Africa.[3] Early life and educationChris Oyakhilome was born on 7 December 1963 to Tim and Angelina Oyakhilome in Edo State, Nigeria.[4] He is the third child of 7 children and the first of two sons. He has five sisters and all of his siblings play active roles in Loveworld and Christ Embassy.[4] They are Beayeta Akhuemokhan (née Oyakhilome), Mercy Oyakhilome, Kenneth Oyakhilome, Linda Okocha (née Oyakhilome), Kathy Woghiren (née Oyakhilome) and Lovelina Osazuwa (née Oyakhilome).[5] He attended Edo College, and on scholarship, gained admission into Bendel State University, which was later renamed Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma where he studied and obtained a first degree in Architecture.[6] Ministry and theology Oyakhilome's ministry began while he was a student on campus at Ambrose Alli University. As an undergraduate, he founded a youth ministry called Youth For Christ, which became the largest fellowship at Bendel State University. In one of his services, Oyakhilome gave an account of how the Vice Chancellor at the time attended his service once on Campus.[7] Upon graduation in 1987, he started a church in Benin City and relocated to Lagos in 1989, where he established Christ Embassy.[6][failed verification] As of February 2023[update], there were BLW Campus Fellowships and Christ Embassy Churches in higher institutions and major cities around the world;[8][9] Oyakhilome's ministry has spread to the United Kingdom, the United States, Ghana and South Africa,[10] and has "healing school" sessions in South Africa, Lagos, and Canada.[3] Oyakhilome also founded a Christian-based television network, which broadcasts worldwide from Africa. He also held the largest single-night event in Nigeria in 2006 with claimed 3.5 million people in attendance "Good Friday Miracle Night".[11][dubious – discuss] Oyakhilome also hosts Higher Life conferences in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, the UK, the US, and Canada,[12] and organized the Night of Bliss South Africa event at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.[13] Oyakhilome also operates an International School of Ministry,[14] which held one of its Ministers' Network Conferences in 2016 with 5,000 ministers in attendance from 145 countries, in Johannesburg, South Africa.[15] He runs an online prayer network using social media to send messages to Christians in several countries. He also operates a smartphone messenger called KingsChat.[16] In 2015, Oyakhilome was given an honorary doctorate from Ambrose Alli University[17] and Benson Idahosa University.[18] In 2017, Oyakhilome, in partnership with Benny Hinn, created the Christian cable channel LoveWorld USA.[19] Oyakhilome has hosted several online programs including five editions of the Global Day of Prayer, with Benny Hinn, the first edition on 27 March 2020. Today, his ministry has a digital currency called Espee that members can use to make different transactions.[20][non-primary source needed] Personal lifeChris Oyakhilome married Anita Ebhodaghe on 2 February 1991. They met as students at the university. Anita was also a pastor in Christ Embassy and was widely known as Pastor Anita. They later had two daughters, Sharon and Charlene.[21] The couple filed for divorce on 9 April 2014. In an official release made by Pastor Anita's legal team, Attwaters Jameson Hill, the divorce was confirmed completed on 8 February 2016, and they stated, "Anita Oyakhilome would like to confirm that she is no longer involved in or part of Christ Embassy AKA Believers loveworld Inc." [22] On 6 October 2018, Pastor Benny Hinn officiated the wedding ceremony of Pastor Chris' first daughter, Sharon, to Phillip Frimpong; a Ghanaian, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo as chairman of the occasion.[23][24] In 2011, Forbes estimated Oyakhilome's wealth as between $30 million and $50 million.[25] Philanthropic workOyakhilome operates the Inner City Mission Project, which works to assist orphaned and indigent children in inner cities in several countries.[26] The organisation is under the auspices of the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International, which works to help the poor and those in the inner cities. The organisation sends relief materials to countries when disasters strike and works with government parastatals to improve social well-being.[citation needed] The Chris Oyakhilome Foundation is one of the major sponsors of the inner city orphanage homes[27] in Africa managed by pushaboo,[28] an organisation spearheading the care of mothers and babies around the world. Other agencies[29] supported by Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI) are the Volunteer Medical Corps, Trauma Care International Foundation, Inner City Mission for Children, Future Africa Leaders Foundation and the Bible for All Mission.[30] In an inquiry started in 2013, the UK Charity Commission found there was "serious misconduct and/or mismanagement" in the administration of the "Christ Embassy", a charity associated with Oyakhilome and his church's activities. An interim manager was appointed to review the activities and governance of the charity, leading to a report that “the board of trustees appears to be fragmented” and “appear to have little appreciation of their roles, duties and obligations as Trustees”. The interim manager served until the appointment of a new Board of Trustees in 2016. Following the appointment of the new Board of Trustees, significant progress was made to address the governance and improve oversight and control of the charity.[31] HonorsHonorary Doctorate in Divinity from Benson Idahosa University.[32][33] Honorary Doctorate Doctor of Science Award, Ambrose Alli University.[34] In December 2023, he was named the Chancellor – Head of Government and Chairman Plenipotentiary of Weldios University. [35] ControversiesOyakhilome has garnered attention for his advocacy of faith healing as a potential solution for HIV/AIDS.[36] Oyakhilome has been accused of preaching the prosperity gospel and using his followers for money, stating that those who donate to his ministry will be rewarded with wealth, health.[37] However he has responded to criticism by stating that "true prosperity comes from spiritual growth and adherence to God's principles, not mere material accumulation.[38] Oyakhilome also supports YouTube-propagated conspiracy theories, including a video he posted linking the Corona Virus with the 5G mobile network rollout and a conspiracy of the "New World Order."[39] He has preached against vaccines and has been accused of undermining efforts to eradicate serious infectious diseases.[40] He has also spoken against vaccines against malaria.[41] Oyakhilome and his church have been accused of spreading anti-vaccine misinformation about HPV, polio and malaria vaccination[42] In 2021, the Oyakhilome-associated Loveworld Television Network was convicted of making false claims about the COVID-19 pandemic and for the same infraction, the television network was fined £125,000 by British regulators Ofcom.”[43][44] WritingsOyakhilome is the author of Rhapsody of Realities, which is distributed monthly in several countries and also shared via social media platforms.[45] Below are the books written and the year published.
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