WHY SOME DISLIKE, MISUNDERSTAND OR DISAGREE WITH PROPHET (BISHOP) DAVID OYEDEPO:
A look into his often misunderstood Prophetic ministry
. Daniel Breakforth
In 2021, Bishop David Abioye was asked ‘Bishop Oyedepo is said to be a very hard man, how have you been able to stay with him for upwards of 42 years?
Bishop Abioye responded calmly, ‘Many do not understand the prophetic side of Bishop Oyedepo and that’s why they struggle and easily get offended at him’.
The Bible said about Jesus that he was set for the Rise and fall of many. Another version states ‘This child is going to cause many people in Israel to fall and to rise. God has sent him. But many will speak against him..
As a 7 year old boy, before becoming born again, David Oyedepo asked a carpenter to make him a rod with which he would use to divide the Red Sea and lead God’s people to the Promised Land.
A few years later while on holidays from secondary school, David Oyedepo’s Father asked him ‘What will you be doing during this holiday’? As a new and burning believer who had just received salvation, David Oyedepo replied that he will be preaching salvation to people.
‘Ah, his Muslim father shouted in amazement at the seemingly provocative response’ That is what you will eat’. Amen! was the young believer’s Immediate response.
These were two of the earliest prophecies in his life and many are very angry today as we see the raw fulfillment of the prophecy. These events marked early signs of a prophet..
Church Gist will take you through some of these prophetic acts which at the time might have sounded annoying or provocative like the dreams of Joseph but today cannot be denied.
As early as 1974 while serving in Dumagi Village in Shonga now in Kwara State, the villagers presented him a lamp stating that he would shine his light all over the world. This was how he prophetically secured his place in destiny.
In July 1976, Brother David Oyedepo aka ‘Bros Dave’ did a short note he titled ‘Sailing under Sealed orders’. On September 12 same year he presented it to his fiancee, Sister Florence Akano (now Pastor Faith Oyedepo). Today, that would have been considered ‘arrogance, bullying and harrasment’ by the Gen Zs. However Mummy Faith Oyedepo is today glad that she signed that prophetic document.
Some years later, after receiving his calling and leaving his job, his older brother worried about his ability to take care of himself asked what his plan was-It was said that he said he was going to be writing tracts-and his brother retorted-Get out!
On April 10 1982 at a ‘camphouse’ gathering of 63 people, Oyedepo prophesied that they will raise a 50,000 capacity tent, fly in aircrafts carrying the Gospel, be watched live all over the world and gather millions for services among others. Some of the 63 people left that day and by the time church started the next year, there were only 4 members at some point.
At the commissioning in 1983, Jos was announced as the base of the new Church. Later Pastor David said it wasn’t Jos but Kaduna. Again some thought – what a confused 28 year old.
Around this time it was announced that some of the leaders of the new work would go for Bible School training in the US. Soon Bros Dave was back claiming that God said – “You are going to no America”. Disappointed, some of those proposed for the trip which cost was already taken care of decided to leave.
On realizing that the Church wasn’t growing, a new member once stated that whenever he passed, he always ‘saw’ a white garment Church. Pastor Oyedepo prayed and in subsequent sermons, he declared that he was talking to people ‘outside’. Today there are people ‘outside’ when service is on.
He announced date for a Bible School with no venue prompting his wife to ask about the school. His response was ‘Is it your school? ‘. Today it’s one of the largest part time Bible schools in the world.
He walked up to the altar in 1987 and suddenly announced-It is time to spread out-talking about new branches. He didn’t discuss it with anyone previously. Suddenly, 5 young men without prior notices were sent to Mubi, Azare, Bauchi, Maiduguri and Biu. Imagine the surprise on the faces of their wives or fiancees.
On his invitation to preach at a Full Gospel Business Men’s Meeting (FGBMFI) he told them-God does not depend on your wretched pockets-What a word of exhortation for those who you are supposed to be encouraging to give towards Kingdom Investment.
By 1987, he shared his revelation on corporate tithing. In this day and age when people are still struggling to give personal tithe, he started preaching and practising corporate tithing. The corporate tithe wasn’t even up to N100,000 at the time but today, Imagine a multi billion organization tithing..to another ministry!!!!
Today, other pastors ask him-What is the secret of your ministry’s prosperity. The ones that felt it was a hard teaching left and some now attack it.
In 1994, after a council agreement that there won’t be any additional church growth but instead, establishment of the ones already started, he told them of the vision to reach Africa.
Again in March 1996, he announced that it was time to get the aircraft- an extra budgetary expenditure without any discussion. Consider that some of these declarations were made after previous discussions to the contrary and it takes a heart that accepts a prophet to follow what is termed in many governments and establishments as policy somersault.
On the first time to the place to be known as Canaanland, he was so upset and even asked-Are you crazy? Is it farm we are looking for? A few seconds later, he announced-God just said -This is the place
He later announced the building of a 50,000 capacity auditorium prophesied earlier to now be built in one year. Again no discussion and purely Extra budgetary. The shocker was when he announced in July 1999 that if it doesn’t happen, he was not called by God.
After getting the license for Covenant University (CU) , he suddenly was ready to tear the certificate. Sounds like pure confusion.
In 2004, it was announced that there would be a construction company, bank and other food production firms, it was posted all over the Faith Tabernacle and a short while later the plan was cancelled.
Next was the Harvest baskets in Lagos. After believing there would be branches in Lagos, that again was cancelled. Someone retorted-You are going to lose plenty members.
By 2013 January, there were subtle requests for more branches around Lagos especially because of the response to Shiloh 2012. In January 2013 everyone listened in anticipation amd expectation for the announcement until Bishop Oyedepo pierced many hearts-One central church remains my mandate- like they say in Yoruba ‘a gbaka mu’ (we accepted our fate).
In 2022, pastors were called to be sent to 75 countries. After they had come into Canaanland, he suddenly told them to go back home as God did not intend to use them. Imagine the frustration!!!
This could go on but there will be 2 final examples. Faith Theater ess announced and suddenly there was silence for almost 5 years. Many on social media began to mock that since President Goodluck left power, there was no money to build. Suddenly at the end of COVID, the project was announced
Then in another prophetic alignment he declared-I named it (109, 000 capacity Church facility) Faith Theatre and God named it the Ark.
The biggest shocker for me was that a whole school was pulled down and relocated at the cost of N4. 5 billion (Some 9 million dollars in 2020/21). I may not be right and I hope so but I honestly think that only Bishop Oyedepo could have ordered the relocation of the Faith Academy to its present position. I doubt that a future Apostle over the Commission could have easily gotten Board of Trustees approval to relocate a whole school.
May we continue to enjoy the ministry of genuine prophets unhindered from generation to generation.
Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
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