Published on Oct 26, 2014 7:56 AM
Singapore is home to the world's 10th richest pastor?
Last week, the New Creation Church rubbished claims by United States-based entertainment website Richest Lifestyle that its founding member and senior pastor Joseph Prince drew a salary of $550,000 a year and had a net worth of US$5 million (S$6.4 million).
However, there is no denying the extent of Mr Prince's reach.
The 51-year-old hosts a religious television show which, it is claimed, can be seen in more than 200 countries, and has been aired daily on several major American television networks such as ABC Family and Daystar Television.
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From wariness to trust
'When a friend passed me a cassette tape with his face on it, I was very wary because I thought the church would be some personality cult and not a proper church. But then I heard him preach, and I was moved.'
MS GERALDINE WEE, a scriptwriter who joined the church a decade ago FIVE NIGERIANS AMONG WORLD'S 10 RICHEST PASTORS
Five of the 10 richest pastors in the world are from Nigeria, according to a rich list out this month.
The Richest Lifestyle entertainment website that published the list on Oct 7 ranked Nigerian pastor David Oyedepo at No. 1 saying he has a net worth of US$150 million (S$191 million). He founded the Living Faith World Outreach Ministry in 1981 and is said to own four private jets and homes in Britain and the United States.
Lifestyle's list was based in part on a 2011 Forbes article which focused on Nigeria's 'business-savvy' pastors. Both publications list pastors Oyedepo, Chris Oyakhilome, Temitope Joshua, Matthew Ashimolowo and Chris Okotie as the country's richest pastors, all with estimated wealth of above US$10 million.
Also in 2011, BBC published a report on its website titled: Nigeria: Where Religion Is Big Business. It said an increasing number of the country's 70 million Christians were followers of so-called 'prosperity teachings' - the belief that prosperity is a sign of spiritual blessing. 'Services are held in megachurches that hold thousands, with millionaire pastors preaching the word,' it said.
Nigeria's megachurches have also expanded to the US, Europe and Asia, the report said, earning income from the sale of books written by the pastors, and CDs and DVDs of their sermons. But the bulk of the income is from congregation donations.
A report by the Guardian newspaper in Britain last year said the UK Charity Commission was examining the booming British operation of Mr Oyedepo - which received more than £16 million (S$32 million) in tithes between 2008 and 2011 - over 'allegations that charitable funds have been misapplied'. It is not clear what the investigation's outcome was.
The top 10 rich list includes US-based pastors Billy Graham, Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar and T.D. Jakes, estimated to be worth between US$18 million and US$42 million each.
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