Living Faith Church Worldwide - Winners Chapel
- Name: Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners' Chapel)
- Established: May 2, 1981
- Headquarters: Ota, Ogun state
Living Faith Church Worldwide, widely recognised as Winners' Chapel, is an international evangelical charismatic Christian denomination established by Bishop David Oyedepo. The inception of the church traces back to May 2, 1981, when Oyedepo, then 26, reported a divine encounter in Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria. He claimed to receive a vision from God commissioning him to "liberate the world from all oppressions of the devil through the preaching of the Word of faith." The church officially commenced operations on December 11, 1983, with a modest congregation of four members.
Expansion and global presence
From its humble beginnings, Living Faith Church Worldwide has experienced significant growth, evolving into a global network of churches. As of 2014, the ministry reported a presence in 65 countries, with over six million members across 147 nations.
Canaanland and Faith Tabernacle
In 1998, the church acquired a 560-acre site in Ota, Ogun state, Nigeria, known as Canaanland. This location houses the Faith Tabernacle, the church's international headquarters, which was constructed between 1998 and 1999. The Tabernacle, inaugurated in 1999, boasts a seating capacity of 50,400 and was recognised as the world's largest church building at the time.
The Ark Project
In 2019, Bishop Oyedepo announced the initiation of a new project, "The Ark," a 100,000-capacity sanctuary intended to serve as an international headquarters facility. The Ark, which began construction in 2021 adjacent to the Faith Tabernacle, is designed to include a 20-floor mission tower.
Educational and publishing initiatives
Living Faith Church Worldwide has established various educational institutions, including Covenant University and Landmark University, as well as Faith Academy and over 150 Kingdom Heritage Model Schools. The church also operates the Word of Faith Bible Institute for ministerial training. In the publishing domain, Dominion Publishing House, founded on December 5, 1992, has released over 120 titles, primarily authored by Bishop Oyedepo.
Annual Shiloh gathering
Each December, the church hosts Shiloh, a global event drawing millions of participants. The gathering, inspired by biblical references in Joshua 18:1 and 1 Samuel 1:3, serves as a spiritual convocation for members worldwide. In 2015, attendees from 55 nations were present at Canaanland, with participants from 160 countries connecting virtually.
