Isaac Oyedepo Says God Instructed Him Not to Collect Offerings In Church

Pastor Isaac Oyedepo, founder of the Isaac Oyedepo Evangelistic Ministries and son of the renowned Bishop David Oyedepo, has announced that, based on divine instruction, his ministry will not collect offerings from congregants.

In an online message posted on Sunday, Oyedepo explained that he received a specific directive from God to focus exclusively on spiritual development and discipleship, without engaging in traditional church fundraising practices.

“God gave me specific instructions not to collect offerings,” Oyedepo stated. He clarified that he does not consider the practice of receiving offerings wrong for other ministries, but emphasized that “for this specific assignment, my focus must remain solely on the spiritual development of the people.”

Focus on Discipleship, Not Donations

Oyedepo highlighted that the core mission of his ministry is modeled after the early ministry of Jesus Christ. “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 said.

He stressed that spiritual growth comes through deep and consistent engagement with Scripture. “How healthy would our churches be if people were truly deep in the Scriptures?” he asked, framing his no-offering policy as a way to recenter ministry on faith and learning rather than finances.

Background and Reaction

Before launching his independent ministry, Isaac Oyedepo served for years within Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), the global ministry founded by his father, Bishop David Oyedepo, where offerings and tithes are standard practice.

The announcement has drawn significant attention, given the prominence of the Oyedepo family and the widespread financial model in modern evangelical ministries. While some observers have praised the move as a bold return to apostolic simplicity, others have questioned the sustainability of a ministry that opts out of a primary funding mechanism.

Pastor Isaac Oyedepo’s declaration sets his ministry apart in a landscape where offerings and tithes are often central to church operations, marking a distinct shift in focus toward discipleship and scriptural immersion over financial contributions.