Why Pastor Isaac Oyedepo Says God Told Him Not to Collect Offerings — A New Model for Church Ministry in Nigeria
In a development that has captured widespread attention across Christian circles in Nigeria, Pastor Isaac Oyedepo — founder of Isaac Oyedepo Evangelistic Ministries (IOEM) — has declared that his ministry will not collect offerings at its weekly Sunday services in Abuja. According to multiple reports monitored by reputable Nigerian news outlets, the pastor says this was a direct instruction from God and integral to the spiritual assignment he believes he has received.
The announcement, which has sparked both admiration and questions among Christians, marks a growing conversation about the purpose of offerings and finances in modern church practice. But before diving into the deeper implications, let’s unpack the full story.
A New Vision for Sunday Worship in Abuja
On January 11, 2026, Pastor Isaac Oyedepo shared an online message announcing a significant shift in how his ministry will operate its Sunday services in the nation’s capital, Abuja. He emphasized that his church’s weekly gatherings will not include the collection of offerings — a practice historically common in Nigerian churches.
According to reports, Oyedepo made it clear that while there is nothing inherently wrong with offerings as practiced in other churches, his ministry was given a specific spiritual instruction from God to refrain from collecting financial contributions.
His statement, “God gave me specific instructions not to collect offerings,” has become the central talking point of the announcement.
From Discipleship to Spiritual Formation
Rather than anchoring the church’s activities around financial giving, Pastor Oyedepo says his focus is discipleship — that is, teaching, training, and equipping believers to follow Jesus. In his perspective, the nucleus of Christian ministry is spiritual transformation, not fundraising.
In the online message, he cited the early ministry of Jesus Christ, noting that “all Jesus did during His early ministry was to make disciples” and that the fire fell, and they were filled and refilled. Before He ascended, Jesus commanded His followers to do the same.
This model, according to Oyedepo, centers on:
Intentional discipleship
Scripture immersion
Building believers who follow Christ in authentic faith
This stands in sharp contrast to systems where church financial programs form a significant part of weekly worship experiences.
Born into Ministry — But Charting a New Course
Pastor Isaac Oyedepo was born on February 26, 1985, and is the son of Bishop David Oyedepo, the internationally known founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel).
Isaac served for many years in prominent pastoral roles within Winners’ Chapel — including assignments in South Africa, the United States, and within Nigeria. He also served as National Youth Pastor for the Youth Alive Fellowship, the youth arm of the church’s global operations.
However, towards the end of 2023, he transitioned from those roles and formally launched his own ministry, the Isaac Oyedepo Evangelistic Ministries (IOEM), with the blessing of his father.
This transition was not a rejection of his roots, but rather a step in obedience to what he believes is his unique calling. Prior to launching IOEM, he publicly affirmed his ongoing connection to Winners’ Chapel and the support he receives from his family.
Why This Matters — The Broader Conversation About Offerings
In many Christian denominations globally — and especially within Pentecostal and charismatic churches — offerings are seen as:
A means of supporting ministry activities
A form of worship as believers give back to God
A way to fuel evangelism, missions, and charity
Yet, debates over the role, timing, and theological basis for offerings have intensified in recent years.
Some ministry leaders have taken public stances on giving that differ from the traditional “offering moment” during services. For example, Pastor David Ibiyeomie — a well‑known Christian leader — has cautioned that worship without giving offerings may not align with spiritual discipline, especially in the context of online worship.
Conversely, Pastor Oyedepo’s announcement underscores a ministry model where discipleship is the central focus, and financial practices are intentionally de‑emphasized.
Historical and Cultural Context in Nigeria’s Church Landscape
To understand the full impact of this development, it’s important to see it against the backdrop of Nigeria’s vibrant and expansive church landscape:
1. Offerings Have Long Been Part of Worship
Traditionally, Nigerian worship services involve an offering moment — either through physical collection or online giving today. For many congregations, offerings help sustain:
Church operations
Outreach programs
Missionary activities
Charity work
This is true not only in large megachurches but also in smaller local fellowships nationwide.
2. Some Leaders Deemphasize Monetary Focus
At the same time, a number of pastors and theologians have voiced concerns that a heavy emphasis on offerings can sometimes distract believers from the core message of the Gospel — spiritual growth, obedience to Christ, and transformation of character.
Pastor Oyedepo’s public emphasis on discipleship echoes this sentiment — albeit from a directive he says came from God.
Will This Influence Other Churches?
Given the prominence of the Oyedepo name — due to the global reach and influence of Winners’ Chapel and Bishop David Oyedepo — this announcement is likely to spur widespread discussion among pastors, congregations, and churchgoers alike.
Here are a few key questions Christians are asking:
Will other ministries consider similar ministry models?
Is collecting offerings essential to church life?
How does scripture speak to financial giving in the church age?
The answers to these — theologically and practically — vary across denominations and traditions, and many church leaders are already weighing in as the story circulates.
Pastor Oyedepo’s Legacy and Vision Moving Forward
Pastor Isaac Oyedepo’s decision has stirred both curiosity and critique — much like other innovative or controversial church leadership decisions in recent times.
But by framing his approach as obedience to God’s instruction, he has placed the emphasis squarely on spiritual development, rather than financial dynamics.
As Nigerians continue to grapple with questions of faith, purpose, and what it means to follow Christ wholeheartedly, this announcement could influence broader conversations about:
Church culture
Ministry sustainability
The balance of spiritual formation and financial support
Only time will tell whether other ministries will be inspired to re‑examine their own practices. But for now, Pastor Oyedepo’s message stands as a bold call to revisit the heart of discipleship in Christian life.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Nigerian Church Practice
Pastor Isaac Oyedepo’s declaration that God instructed him not to collect offerings for his Abuja services signifies more than just a policy change — it represents a shift in focus toward spiritual depth, discipleship, and obedience to divine instruction.
Whether one agrees with his position or not, there is no denying that this announcement has ignited a meaningful conversation within the Nigerian church community and beyond — one that will potentially shape future ministry models and deepen the ongoing dialogue about the purpose of giving in the life of believers.
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