There are many religious leaders who enjoy a high level of wealth and privilege, but which preachers and pastors are the richest in the world?
According to recent estimates by Forbes magazine, here are 10 of the wealthiest Pastors and Preachers on the planet in 2022.
10. Pastor Joseph Prince – $5 million
Pastor Joseph Prince is a pastor and televangelist with a background in business and accounting. He is the senior pastor of New Creation Church, a megachurch in Singapore, and has a television ministry that reaches over 150 countries.
Prince’s teaching focuses on the role of grace in the Christian life, and he has been criticized by some for downplaying repentance and sin. His teachings have been credited with helping many people come to faith in Christ, however, and he is considered to be one of the most influential pastors in the world today.
9. Late Prophet TB Joshua – $10 million
TB Joshua was a Nigerian-based cleric who founded the Synagogue Church of All Nations. The church has been accused of falsely claiming to heal people of various illnesses, and in 2015 was ordered to pay $10 million in compensation to the family of a teenager who died after being “healed” at the church.
Joshua has come under fire for his opulent lifestyle, and it was revealed in 2016 that he owns a private jet and several expensive properties. He has also been accused of using his position to influence politicians and gain favors.
8. Evang Benny Hinn – $25 million
Evangelist Benny Hinn is a televangelist who has traveled the world preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He’s also known for his healing ministry, which has drawn criticism from some who claim that he heals people through trickery and faith healing techniques that are not supported by science.
Hinn’s net worth is estimated to be around $25 million, which he has accumulated through his years of preaching and television appearances. He and his wife have also launched their own line of jewelry and other products to promote their ministry.
7. Kenneth Copeland – $25 million
Kenneth Copeland is an American author, televangelist, and founder of Kenneth Copeland Ministries. As of 2017, his net worth is estimated at $25 million.
Copeland’s ministry teaches that faith, positive confession, and donations to Christian ministries are the methods to achieving wealth and prosperity. His views on Christianity have been opposed by figures such as Billy Graham and T.D. Jakes.
6. Pastor Creflo Dollar – $27 million
Pastor Creflo Dollar is an American pastor, televangelist, and author. He is the founder and senior pastor of World Changers Church International (WCCI) in College Park, Georgia which serves as the home base for his international ministry. As of 2016, he has a net worth of $27 million.
Dollar is known for his prosperity theology, which holds that financial blessings are a sign of God’s favor. He has been criticized by religious leaders and news outlets for his extravagant lifestyle and for asking his followers to donate money to help him buy a $65 million private jet. In June 2016, Dollar was arrested and charged with battering his daughter.
Images of Richest Pastors in the World | Source: UGC
5. Pastor Enoch Adeboye – $39 million
Pastor Enoch Adeboye is a Nigerian pastor who is the head of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). He has an estimated net worth of $39 million, according to Forbes.
Adeboye primarily preaches in Yoruba and English. He has a large following in Africa and around the world.
The RCCG is said to be one of the fastest-growing churches in the world, with more than 7,000 branches in Nigeria and over 2 million members worldwide.
4. Joel Osteen – $40 million
Joel Osteen is an American author, televangelist, and senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. His televised sermons are seen by over 7 million viewers weekly and over 20 million monthly in over 100 countries. Osteen has written seven New York Times best-selling books. As of 2014, he was listed by Forbes as the richest pastor in America with a net worth of $40 million.
Lakewood Church, where Osteen presides, is the largest Protestant church in the United States. It seats 16,000 people and has a weekly attendance of 43,000 people. In 2003, Lakewood Church was recognized for its charitable work after donating $7 million to victims of Hurricane Katrina.
3. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – $50 million
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is a Nigerian pastor, televangelist, author, and businessman. He is the founder of Christ Embassy, a multinational Christian organization. He has been married to Anita since 1991 and they have three children.
According to Forbes magazine, Oyakhilome’s net worth was estimated at $50 million in 2022. His income derives from multiple sources: his television ministry (which reaches an estimated 100 million viewers per week), corporate seminars (which can cost up to $10,000 per person), real estate holdings, and a line of spiritual books and self-help tapes. In 2008 he was accused of laundering $35 million through his ministry, but the case later collapsed for lack of evidence.
2. Bishop TD Jakes – $147 million
Bishop TD Jakes is a pastor, author, and filmmaker who has a net worth of $147 million, according to Forbes.
After growing up in poverty, he founded The Potter’s House, one of the largest churches in the United States.
He has written more than 30 books and produced or directed films such as “The Shack” and “Heaven Is for Real.”
Jakes is also known for his philanthropy; he started the T.D. Jakes Foundation to help disadvantaged children and families achieve their full potential. In 2017 he was awarded the Bishop Benjamin Mays Lifetime Achievement Award by Morehouse College.
His fortune comes from his numerous businesses, including TDJ Enterprises, which sells everything from nutritional supplements to clothing. Jakes also founded The Potter’s House, one of the largest evangelical churches in the United States.
1. Bishop David Oyedepo – $150 millionBishop David Oyedepo is the founder and presiding bishop of Winners Chapel, a Nigerian megachurch with a reported membership of over 1 million and he is rated as the richest pastor/preacher in the World in 2022. He is also the founder of Covenant University and Faith Tabernacle, both located in Nigeria. Forbes estimates Oyedepo’s net worth at $150 million. He has been described as one of Africa’s richest pastors. In addition to his religious work, Oyedepo is also a businessman; he has interests in media, real estate, and transportation. |
FAQ
Who is the Richest Paid Preacher in the World?
Kenneth Copeland is the highest-paid preacher in the world, with a net worth of $25 million. He and his wife, Gloria, founded Kenneth Copeland Ministries in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1967. The ministry’s headquarters are located on a 1,500-acre campus that includes a dozen buildings and a television production facility.
Copeland’s preaching style is characterized by enthusiastic preaching and singing. His messages often focus on prosperity theology, which holds that faith and donations to Christian ministries will result in wealth and health for believers. Critics argue that Copeland’s teachings promote greed and materialism.
Who are the Highest-Paid Mega preachers in the World?
1. Kenneth Copeland – Net worth $25 million
2. Benny Hinn – Net worth $43 million
3. Creflo Dollar – Net worth $27 million
4. Paula White – Net worth $10 million
5. Joel Osteen – Net worth $40 million
6. TD Jakes –Net worth $18 million
7. Joyce Meyer –Net worth $8 million
8. Rick Warren – Net worth $15 million
9. Robert Tilton-Net worth $10 million
10. Eddie Long -Net Worth Unknown
11. Juanita Bynum-Net Worth Unknown
How do these highly paid preachers earn their money?
The highest-paid preachers in the world earn their money through various methods, such as book sales, speaking engagements, and television or radio broadcasts.
Many of the high-paid preachers have written books that share their insights and religious teachings. Others have been sought out by organizations or individuals to speak at special events. And finally, some preachers have their own television or radio programs where they share their messages with large audiences.
When is a Church considered to be a Megachurch?
A megachurch is a Protestant church with a congregation that typically numbers in the thousands. The term was first used in the early 1990s to describe churches that had more than 2,000 members.
The growth of megachurches has been attributed to a number of factors, including their use of technology (such as satellite campuses and online streaming), their emphasis on contemporary worship styles, and their focus on building relationships with potential converts. Megachurches are also known for their large budgets and their use of marketing techniques to draw in new members.
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