Pastor Isaac Oyedepo, son of the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has announced the establishment of a new Christian gathering, Habitation, in Christchurch, New Zealand, marking another phase in his independent ministry journey.
The cleric made the announcement on Monday, revealing that the new congregation would begin its Sunday gatherings in November at Te Hāpua – Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Road, Halswell, Christchurch.
According to the announcement, the meetings will hold at 10am New Zealand time, with the first six-week programme focusing on the biblical Book of Jonah under the theme, ‘Until the City Hears’.
In a message announcing the development, Isaac said the ministry had maintained three months of silence before unveiling the new chapter of its activities.
“For the past three months, we have been unusually quiet. Many have wondered where we are, what we have been doing, and what the Lord has been saying,” he said.
Describing the vision behind Habitation, he added, “A place for HIS presence. A people rooted in HIS Word. A generation raised to know HIM, empowered by HIS Spirit to make HIM known.”
Isaac’s latest announcement comes nearly three years after he established his own ministry, the Isaac Oyedepo Evangelistic Ministries, following years of pastoral service under his father’s leadership at Living Faith Church, popularly known as Winners Chapel.
Before venturing into independent ministry, Isaac served as a pastor at Winners Chapel in the United States, including a five-year period as resident pastor of the church’s Maryland branch.
He later returned to Nigeria and was appointed Global Youth Pastor of Living Faith Church in 2023.
His decision to establish a separate ministry generated public speculation about a possible disagreement with his father and the church.
However, Isaac dismissed suggestions of a family rift, insisting that his relationship with Bishop David Oyedepo remained cordial.
In a statement released on October 31, 2023, amid reports that he had resigned from his father’s church, Isaac said, “I must state that there is no complication in my relationship with my beloved family and my beloved dad (Bishop David OOyedepo), who has stood by me and supported me over the years nor are there any in my commitment to my church-turned-home, Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel International.”
He added, “I remain a steadfast member of the Living Faith Church, dedicated to the service of the body of Christ.”
The following month, when he officially unveiled the Isaac Oyedepo Evangelistic Ministries on November 28, 2023, his father publicly demonstrated support for the new assignment.
During the unveiling ceremony, Bishop Oyedepo prayed for Isaac and his wife, Ayomitide, as they knelt before him, offering them his blessings.
Advising his son during the ceremony, the elder Oyedepo urged him to focus on making an impact rather than engaging in criticism of other Christian ministries.
He said, “As hands are laid on you, I pray for unusual grace for sustainable connectivity that will keep you going without sweat.”
He further prayed, “I pray that impact will be your goal not good preaching but great impact and I pray that your life will interpret your message in the name of Jesus.”
In May 2024, Isaac again addressed questions surrounding his departure from full-time pastoral duties at Winners Chapel during an interview on the Confession Box with PLA podcast, hosted by Pastor Leke Adeboye, son of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
He explained that his move was a transition rather than a break with his former church, saying, “I’m still in Winners, I’m still in Living Faith, I’m still a member, I’m still a steward. I think we just overcomplicate very simple things.”
He also disclosed that he remained planted in the church in Abuja while pursuing what he described as his divine assignment.
The establishment of Habitation in Christchurch represents a further development in Isaac’s ministry activities outside Nigeria, although his latest announcement did not indicate whether he was relocating permanently to New Zealand or establishing a new international base.
He invited residents of Christchurch and people familiar with the city to attend the gatherings, while expressing appreciation to those who had supported the ministry through prayers and other contributions.
