Pastor Isaac Oyedepo, founder of the Isaac Oyedepo Evangelistic Ministries, has announced that his ministry will begin holding Sunday services in Abuja—with a striking directive: no offerings will be collected.
Church Times reported on Tuesday that Oyedepo made the announcement in an online message monitored by the platform. The video, posted on Sunday, January 11, revealed what the pastor described as a clear instruction from God concerning the financial structure of his ministry.
According to Oyedepo, the decision is rooted in a divine mandate rather than criticism of other churches. He explained that while offering collection is a common and acceptable practice in many ministries, God specifically instructed him not to adopt it for this assignment.
“This ministry is focused on discipleship and equipping people to truly follow Jesus,” Oyedepo said, stressing that financial practices must not distract from that mission.
The announcement coincided with the official launch of the ministry’s Sunday services, which will now hold weekly in Abuja.
Focus on Discipleship
During the broadcast, Oyedepo said his model is patterned after the early ministry of Jesus Christ, which centered on raising disciples rather than institutional expansion.
“All Jesus did during His early ministry was to make disciples; the fire fell, and they were filled and refilled. Before He left, He commanded us to do the same,” he stated.
He further challenged contemporary church practices, questioning the depth of scriptural engagement among believers. “How healthy would our churches be if people were truly deep in the Scriptures?” he asked.
Born on February 26, 1985, Isaac Oyedepo officially launched his independent ministry on November 28, 2023, after years of service at Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), founded by his father, Bishop David Oyedepo. His transition came with his father’s blessings, marking a new chapter in his ministerial journey.
With its Abuja launch and unconventional stance on offerings, the Isaac Oyedepo Evangelistic Ministries is positioning itself as a discipleship-driven movement focused on spiritual depth rather than financial emphasis.
