Last Updated on January 4, 2023
There is a consensus that pastors ought to live a moderate life devoid of worldly pleasures so that they set a good example for their flocks
It is also perceived that spiritual and material wealth can never go hand in hand for Christians, a belief that real wealth is to be found in heaven.
However, it is not true to say that wealth can get in the way of pastors doing their job. Some wealthy pastors are righteous and set an excellent example for their flocks.
Many of the richest pastors started from the bottom and accumulated wealth as their churches expanded. The richest churches are characterized by huge buildings and televised services that attract huge viewership.
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Top 10 Richest Pastors in the World
1. Kenneth Copeland – $300 million
Copeland is an American preacher who was born in Lubbock, Texas on December 1936. He founded the Kenneth Copeland Ministries located in Tarrant County in Texas. Kenneth Copeland is a very wealthy man. He is rumoured to be richer than the official figures available, but Celebrity Net Worth claims the preacher is worth $300 million. It makes him one of the wealthiest pastors in the world.
The American preacher is also an author, a public speaker, and a musician. His ministry is majorly done through television, books, DVDs and CDs. The preacher has three private jets which he uses for trips to resorts and personal vacations.
2. David Oyedepo – $150 million
David Oyepedo is Nigeria’s richest pastor with a net worth of about $ 150 million. He is the founder and presiding bishop of Living Faith Church World Wide. The church is also known as Winners Chapel and is affiliated with many churches internationally with the same name. In addition to that, Pastor David Oyepedo is the senior pastor at Faith Tabernacle, a church auditorium with 50,000 seat capacity. The Nigerian bishop has several properties including private jets and homes in the USA and UK.
3. Pat Robertson – $100 million
Pat Robertson has a net worth of $100 million. Coming at number three on this list, Pat Robertson is not only a preacher but also a very successful businessman. The American preacher was born in Lexington, Virginia. He is also known as Marion Gordon Robertson. He once served in the United States Marine Corps before going to law school. He failed to pass the bar exam, and he subsequently joined the New York Theological Seminary.
After completion he launched the Christian Broadcasting Network in Virginia and the network has grown to broadcast in 180 countries. Pat ran for president in the late 80s, but he was not successful. He is the founder and CEO of the Christian Coalition, which is a Christian Right organization that raises money and public support for conservative political candidates.
4. Benny Hinn – $60 million
The Israel-born televangelist Benny Hinn has a net worth of $60 million. The preacher was born on the 3rd of December 1952. He was put on the world map by his regular miracle healing crusades held in big stadiums of big cities and broadcast on live television. He became a born again Christian after befriending fellow students who introduced him to prayer meetings at school. His family was initially opposed to his newfound faith, but his determination led him to Kathryn Kuhlman’s healing service in Pittsburgh.
Kathryn became a significant influence on his life as a Christian and preacher to a point he emulates her style to this day. He founded the Orlando Christian Center in 1983. Apart from his faith healing services, Hinn is a writer and a TV program host.
5. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – $50 million
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome net worth is 50 million dollars. The televangelist hails from Nigeria where he is popularly known as Pastor Chris. The church that Pastor Chris founded is known as Believers’ Love World Incorporated aka “Christ Embassy”.
Although the church is based in Nigeria, it has spread to several other countries in Africa. It makes it one of the richest churches in Africa. The church runs an NGO called the Innercity Missions. It also has three Christian television channels that include LoveWorld Plus, LoveWorld TV and LoveWorld SAT.
6. Joel Osteen – $40 million
Joel Osteen is an American preacher, televangelist and author who has a net worth of about 40 million dollars. Joel Osteen net worth makes him the sixth richest on this list. His birth name is Joel Scott Osteen. Osteen was born on the 5th of March 1963. He is most known for televangelism as the pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.
The celebrated preacher inherited the church and its television ministry from his father, the late John Osteen. He took over in 1999 even though he had little religious training but has steered the church to unprecedented growth worldwide.
7. Creflo Dollar – $27 million
Creflo wears many hearts as an American Word of Faith teacher, a pastor and the founder of the non-denominational World Changers Church International. He is based in Fulton County, Georgia. Creflo’s net worth is 27 million dollars. The key message in his ministry is the will of God for you to prosper in every way. He publishes CHANGE Magazine, which is a quarterly international publication with over 100,000 subscribers.
The preacher has also written many books which include Understanding God’s Purpose for the Anointing (1992), Claim Your Victory Today (2006) and 8 Steps to Create the Life You Want (2008). The pastor does not shy from showcasing his wealth as he is the proud owner of two Rolls-Royces, a million-dollar house, a private jet and several other assets in the US.
8. Rick Warren – $25 million
Rick Warren is the founder of the Saddleback Church located in Lake Forest, California. It is one of the largest churches in America that averages a weekly attendance of 20,000 people. He is an author who is enthusiastic about religion, uplifting the poor and the promotion of education. Warren net worth is about 25 million dollars.
9. Jesse Duplantis – $20 million
Jesse Duplantis is an American preacher whose net worth has been estimated to be $20 million. The American Evangelical Charismatic Christian minister was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in July of 1949. He has been preaching since 1976 when he founded the Jesse Duplantis Ministries. His sermons are characterized by comic and musical talent.
Among his many accomplishments is serving on the Board of Oral Roberts University. Jesse Duplantis is also an accomplished writer with many books such as Ministry of Cheerfulness, Heaven: Close Encounters of the God Kind, Breaking the Power of Natural Law: Finding Freedom in the Presence of God, Jambalaya for the Soul, God Is Not Enough, He’s Too Much!, Wanting a God You Can Talk to, One More Night with the Frogs, What in Hell Do You Want, The Battle of Life, The Everyday Visionary, and Why Isn’t My Giving Working?: The Four Types of Giving, and lots more.
10. Bishop TD Jakes – $18 million
Bishop TD Jakes was born on the 9th of June 1957 in South Charleston, West Virginia. He was one of the people that spoke at the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009. In 2005 he accompanied President George W. Bush to see victims of Hurricane Katrina. Jakes is the founder of the Potter’s House, which is a non-denominational mega church. Apart from earning money from his church, he is also a writer and movie producer. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Bishop T.D. Jakes is worth $18 million.