Top 20 Pentecostal Churches In Nigeria

Nigeria is known to be a religiously dominated country with a high percentage of religious individuals in all doctrines, especially the Christian religion.

Different Pentecostal churches have sprung forth over the years, since the introduction of Christianity into Nigeria by the missionaries as far back as 1900 before Nigeria was amalgamated.

Churches in Nigeria have undoubtedly increased and here is a list of the Top 20 Pentecostal churches in Nigeria.

Top 20 Pentecostal Churches In Nigeria

1. Living Faith Church Worldwide

Living Faith Church popularly known as Winners Chapel is one of the biggest and most populous pentecostal churches in Nigeria with a 50,000 capacity church building as the church Head Quarters situated at Ota Ogun State, Lagos Nigeria and another 100,000 sitting church capacity building under construction. The church which has branches all over the states in Nigeria was founded by the presiding Head, Bishop David Oyedepo in 1981.

Winners chapel has an annual church program called  “SHILOH” which is broadcasted nationwide to all mission Stations and viewing centers with over a billion attendees across the globe trouping into Lagos Nigeria and other viewing centers for the powerful program.

 

2. Redeemed Christian Church Of God

The Redeemed Christian Church Of God (RCCG) was founded in 1952  by Rev Josiah Akindayomi. Redeemed as it’s fondly called is overseen by the General Overseer Pastor E. A Adeboye (who was ordained in 1981) with church branches across the globe especially in its founding nation Nigeria and Africa at large.

One almost every street in Nigeria, you’ll find a Redeemed Church and it is the dream and vision of the church that in every household there will be at least one member of Redeemed Christian Church of God in the whole world. The New York Times tags the church as one of the most vigorously expansionary religious movements. The church is one of the top Pentecostal churches in Nigeria that has a large number of worshippers.

The headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God is located at Km 46 Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Redemption Camp, Mowe Ogun State, Nigeria.

3. Christ Embassy/Believers’ Love World Incorporated

Loveworld believer church, popularly known as Christ Embassy was founded by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome in the year 1990. The founding pastor hails from Edo state Nigeria and the Church which started out as a prayer group back then when he was in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma studying architecture now has branches all over Africa and major cities around the world.  The ministry is known globally for diverse healing and miracles with a yearly healing program held across the globe and its Rhapsody of reality daily devotional which is translated in over a thousand languages of the world.

According to Wikipedia, Christ Embassy got over 13,000,000 followers all over the world. Also, the ministry has a healing school in Lagos and other places in Nigeria.

4. Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries

Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM) was founded by Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya in the year 1989 at a prayer meeting in his living room. The church has several branches across the globe with its headquarter situated in Lagos state Nigeria. The church holds a special monthly program titled “Power Must Change Hands” usually held on the first Saturday of every month. MFM church is known for its strict dress rules for its members and vigorous “die by fire” prayers and palpable miracles.

As there exist so many churches in Nigeria so also are there different doctrines believed and practiced in these various churches. Some churches in Nigeria focuses on spreading the word about the second coming of Christ and holiness, some talk about prosperity and benefit of serving/following God but the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries focuses on waging spiritual war against spiritual powers in high places.

5. The Synagogue Church of all Nations

The Synagogue Church is a Prophetic ministry founded in 1989 by Prophet T.B Joshua who hails from Arigidi in Ondo state Nigeria. The church has a Tv channel called Emmanuel Tv where church services, prophetic and philanthropic acts performed by the prophet T.B Joshua, etc. are aired to viewers nationwide. SCOAN has just a branch in Ghana with its headquarters at 1 Segun-Irefin Street, Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos, Nigeria. where individuals from across the globe come for healing, prophecies, and miracles.

6. Salvation Ministries

Salvation ministries international which is one of the top Pentecostal churches in Nigeria was founded on the 13th of April 1997 by Pastor David Ibiyeomie at plot 35 Burabi Street GRA 1 Port Harcourt. The ministry has its Head Quarters at Plot 17, Birabi Street, GRA Phase 1, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria with a yearly program titled “5 Nights Of Glory “ which holds every January in all branches of the church across the globe.

David Ibiyeomie is a spiritual son to the founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo and was formerly a pastor at Winners Chapel Worldwide. Read complete details about the church’s beginning and scheme HERE.

 

7. Church of God Mission International

In the year 1970, late Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa founded the Church Of God Mission international with its headquarter in Benin City Edo state Nigeria. The church which is now overseen by the wife of the founder Arch Bishop Margaret Idahosa is known for its undiluted and powerful word preached nationwide and in its branches across the globe.

In 1962, a prayer group known as Calvary Fellowship was formed at a shop on Ivbizua Street, Off mission road and then prayer group has since grown into the Church of God Mission International which is currently among the top 20 Pentecostal Churches In Nigeria currently. Read more about the Church’s history here.

8. Assemblies of God Church

The origin of Assemblies of God Church Nigeria dates as far back as 1980 and its one of the top Pentecostal churches in Nigeria with branches globally. The church headquarters is at Enugu State Nigeria and the present General Superintendent is Rev. Dr. Chidi Okoroafor.

9. Deeper Christian Life Ministry

Deeper life is one of the top Pentecostal churches in Nigeria. Pastor W.F Kumuyi founded the Deeper Life Bible Church In 1982. The church has its new headquarters at Gbagada, Lagos State Nigeria with branches across the nation and in the US.

Deeper Life Church is known worldwide for its clothing doctrine which includes no adornment with earrings, trousers, and braids or weaves extensions.

10. Celestial Church of Christ

The Celestial Church Of Christ which is broadly known for its “white garment regalia” worn by its worshipers and fondly called “white garment church” was founded in 1947 by Samuel Beliwa Joseph Oshofa in Cotonou, Benin Republic. 

The church has a large number of worshippers in Nigeria and Benin.

11. Christ Apostolic Church

Christ Apostolic Church was formally established in 1941 by Joseph Ayo Babalola. The church is an Aladura church that split from the Apostolic church and it has branches across the globe.

12. The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries

The ministry which has a well known “apron” attire worn by its members was founded by Lazarus Muoka in the year 2002. The church is one of the new generation churches in Nigeria that have commanded a great flock of worshippers across the country.

The Lord Chosen Ministry split from Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement.

13. House on the Rock

Pastor Paul Adefarasin founded House on the rock church in 1994 in Lagos Nigeria. The church which has branches across Nigeria is known for hosting one of the largest yearly Christian worship program in West Africa titled “The Experience” which brings gospel artist from all over the globe to perform.

14. Dunamis International Gospel Centre

Dunamis International Gospel Center was founded in 1996 by Dr. Paul Enenche the senior pastor of the church. The church headquarters is at Abuja Nigeria. Dunamis is a popular church in Nigeria with branches across Africa.

The founder Pastor Paul Enenche and his wife are both medical Practitioners by profession.

15. Covenant Christian Centre

Pastor Poju Oyemade founded Covenant Christian Centre in 1994 and it was consecrated by Bishop David Oyedepo. The church has branches across the globe with its headquarters located at Lagos State Nigeria.

16. Common Wealth of Zion Assembly

The Common Wealth Of Zion Assembly popularly known as “COZA” was founded in 1999 with only four branches in Nigeria and one in Dubai. The founder and head pastor Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo is known as the most stylish Nigerian pastor as he wears expensive fashion items to the church headquarters in Abuja Nigeria. COZA is known for high sense of fashion amongst its members.

17. The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM)

The Redeemed Evangelical Ministries globally called TREM is one of the top churches in Nigeria founded in 1981. The church chairman Bishop Mike Okonkwo is stationed at the church world headquarters in Lagos Nigeria with over 160 branches in 10 Nations of the world.

TREM is known for the powerful world of God preached across the branches of the church and its beautiful structures.

18. Cherubim and Seraphim

The Cherubim and Seraphim church was founded as far back as 1925 by Moses Orimolade Tunolase. Most people confuse the church for the Celestial Church Of Christ because of the almost similar regalia both church worshippers wear.

19. Word of Life Bible Church

Pastor Ayo Oritshejafor founded the Word Of Life Bible Church in Warri, Delta State Nigeria in 1987. The church has over 80 branches founded across Nigeria in 2018 with the headquarters located in Ajamimogha Warri, Delta State Nigeria.

20. God’s Grace Ministry Incorporated

Saint Dikeji Daniel Miyerijesu founded God Grace Ministries in 1993. The founder who is self-acclaimed as the “Bishop Of The Whole World”  is an Urhobo man from Delta state Nigeria with the church headquarters in Warri, Delta state Nigeria. GGM has branches across the globe and its one of the top churches in Nigeria.

 

There are many more Pentecostal churches in Nigeria and over a thousand founded continuously by the day but these are top churches dominating the Christendom in Nigeria.

Which of the Pentecostal churches in Nigeria not listed here do you think should have made the list?