David Oyedepo

David Olaniyi Oyedepo is a Nigerian pastor, author and the founder and presiding Bishop of Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun, Nigeria and Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners' Chapel International.

Early Life

David Olaniyi Oyedepo was born in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria, but is a native of Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria. He was raised in a mixed religious family. His father, Ibrahim, was a Muslim and his mother, Dorcas, was a Christian.

Oyedepo studied architecture at the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. He also received a PhD in Human Development from Honolulu University, Hawaii, US.

Career

Oyedepo worked briefly with the Federal Ministry of Housing in Ilorin before resigning to concentrate on missionary work.

In 1981, he founded Liberation Faith Hour Ministries (now called Living Faith Church Worldwide). Two years later, on September 17, 1983, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, ordained Oyedepo and his wife to become pastors and officially commissioned the new church. Five years later, he became an ordained Bishop.

Oyedepo who is an author and publisher has written 70 titles apart from periodicals. He commissioned the church's publishing house, Dominion Publishing House (DPH) on December 5, 1992.

Personal Life

In 1982, Oyedepo married Florence Abiola Akano (now known as Faith Oyedepo). Together they have four children: David Jr, Isaac, Love and Joyce.