Who are the world's richest pastors?

When church members give tithes, offerings, or "seeds", does the money go directly into the pastor’s pocket?

Many often assume it does, and this perception is common in societies where transparency in church finances is not communicated.

The reality is that the way funds are handled varies from church to church. In some congregations, the funds are directed toward operational costs, such as salaries for church staff, building maintenance, outreach programs, and community projects.

In others, the line between the pastor’s finances and the church’s account can appear blurred, particularly when the pastor is both the founder and sole authority of the ministry. This lack of clarity often fuels public debate about whether pastors are genuinely channelling donations into ministry work or using them for personal enrichment.

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A recent viral clip featuring Evangelist Isaac Omolehin sparked fresh debate around this assumption. He said:

He contrasted this with the Roman Catholic Church, which is recognised as the wealthiest church worldwide, yet its leader, the Pope, does not own a private jet. Omolehin went as far as to call it “financial recklessness” when pastors use tithes and offerings for personal enrichment.

It does paint a sad picture. Many churchgoers give their widow's mite towards the work of God in the form of tithe, offering, special offering, building projects, seeds, first fruits, and the list goes on and on. Are pastors diverting these church funds for personal luxury? Or are their fortunes separate from church accounts?

Attempts to verify the specific World Council of Churches report cited by Omolehin were unsuccessful, raising doubts about the source of his claim. So, how do we measure who the richest pastors are? By counting their jets, their houses, or checking their church bank accounts? There is no definitive way.

However, several independent lists have attempted to estimate pastors’ wealth even though they are unverified. For the sake of this discussion, we’ll use one such list.

Edir Macedo is a prominent Brazilian religious leader and media figure. He founded the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in 1977, which grew into one of Brazil’s largest denominations. Macedo’s fortune comes largely from the media. In 1990, he purchased Rede Record, Brazil’s second-largest TV network, and later expanded with another network in Atlanta, W67CI. He is the only pastor officially recognised as a billionaire, with wealth tied to both religious leadership and media ventures.

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Alph Lukau is the founder of Alleluia Ministries International, based in South Africa. Since its founding in 2002, the church has expanded across several African countries. He is known for his flamboyant lifestyle. Lukau reportedly owns a private jet, motorcycles, a Range Rover, a Rolls-Royce, and a Bentley.

Another Brazilian pastor, Valdemiro Santiago, was once part of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God before disagreements led him to establish the World Church of the Power of God. His ministry grew significantly, and in 2012, he bought a $45 million jet, sparking debates about pastors’ use of church wealth for personal luxury.

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Kenneth Copeland is a prominent American televangelist associated with the prosperity gospel. His wealth stems from donations and church activities, but also from a controversial lifestyle. He owns several private jets, including a $20 million Gulfstream V bought from Tyler Perry, and a $6.3 million mansion.

Shepherd Bushiri is an author, prophet, motivational speaker, businessman, and founder of the Enlightened Christian Gathering. His business empire, Shepherd Bushiri Investments, spans real estate, mining, oil, transportation, and telecommunications. Though wealthy, Bushiri is controversial. His ministry has faced fraud allegations, and his staged miracles have drawn criticism. Still, his following remains massive.

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David Oyedepo is the founder of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel). Bishop David Oyedepo is Nigeria’s richest pastor. His ministry began in 1981 and has grown into a global network with thousands of branches. Oyedepo’s wealth comes not only from church offerings but also from business ventures, including Covenant University, Dominion Publishing House, and Faith Tabernacle, a 50,000-seat auditorium recognised by Guinness World Records. He owns multiple private jets and luxury homes.

Chris Oyakhilome is the founder of Believer’s Love World (Christ Embassy). Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is well known for his global reach through television channels, publications, and humanitarian projects. This ministry encompasses various arms, including Rhapsody of Realities, Healing School, the NGO Innercity Missions, and three Christian television channels: LoveWorld TV, LoveWorld SAT, and LoveWorld Plus. Oyakhilome's wealth is primarily attributed to his ministry's success, which has amassed a significant following and generated substantial resources.

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Romildo Ribeiro Soares, another Brazilian televangelist, founded the Grace of God International Church in the 1980s. Apart from ministry, he profits from his gospel record label and publishing house. His books and music have added to his $125 million wealth.

Before he died in 2023, Pat Robertson was a major figure in American televangelism and politics. He was the founder of The 700 Club and the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), Robertson also created the Christian Coalition of America in 1987. His work in media and politics made him one of the most influential and wealthiest pastors in U.S. history.

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He is the Pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston. Joel Osteen is known for his positive preaching style and bestselling books. His church broadcasts reach millions globally. Osteen also earns from book sales and speaking engagements. His lifestyle includes a $10.5 million home and luxury cars, contributing to his $100 million net worth.

Honourable Mention

He is the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). Under his leadership, RCCG has expanded worldwide. Adeboye has invested in media (Dove TV), education (Redeemer’s University), and is known to own luxury assets, including a $65 million jet and a Rolls-Royce Phantom. Before his ascent to the list of the world's richest pastors, Enoch Adeboye's journey in the church began as an interpreter until he was ordained.

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According to this list, only two Nigerian pastors appear in the global top 10. Despite Nigeria’s reputation for having some of the most popular and influential preachers in the world, the rankings show that wealth among pastors is more globally spread than often assumed. Notably, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, one of the most respected and widely followed Christian leaders in Nigeria, does not make the top 10. Instead, he is placed at number 11.

Where does the line between a pastor’s wealth and the church’s wealth lie? If a church has billions in its accounts, does that automatically make its leader personally wealthy? While some accumulate wealth directly from their ministries, others diversify into private enterprises. These nuances matter in conversations about pastors’ wealth.

While debates about accountability will no doubt continue, the truth is that without clear and verifiable access to how funds are managed, we can only speculate. Because we do not have personal insights into the daily spending patterns, decision-making processes, or internal records, discussions often end up being based on assumptions rather than facts.

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