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The 90,000 capacity facility will soon be completed. (Courtesy of Alexander Otis)
General Overseer of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie is widely known as the Apostle of Prosperity and good health. He runs a N10 billion ministry with over 30 branches. He is arguably the biggest and richest pastor from the south-south part of the country.
Just as every great empire today had a little beginning so also Salvation Ministries (Home of Success) had a little beginning. Pastor David Ibiyeomie, having completed his bible school training at Bishop Oyedepo’s Word of Faith Bible Institute, started a house fellowship with his family at 1689B, Buraimo Kenku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. He later relocated to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, specifically G.R.A., Port Harcourt. Thus Salvation Ministries (Glorious Chapel) started on April 13, 1997, at Plot 35, Birabi Street, G.R.A. Phase 1, Port Harcourt with a little over twenty (20) persons in attendance including himself and his wife.
The Church, in July 1999, relocated from Plot 35, Birabi to Plot 17, Birabi Street (the present place) in G.R.A Port Harcourt, now reportedly worth over N1.5billion. As a result of ever surging crowd, the worship centre which is now a mega church would soon relocate to their new site with a state of the art architectural masterpiece cathedral and hi-tech facilities, at Igwuruta, along International Airport Road, Port Harcourt. The capacity of the cathedral, according to the ministry, is going to be amongst the largest in the world and is penned at N5 billion alongside other facilities.
The ministry acclaimed one of the fastest growing churches in Nigeria has blossomed into over 50,000 adult regular worshippers at the headquarters alone aside its branches. By reason of the teeming population, the church runs five services every Sunday and two services on every Thursday in all their satellite churches also.
As part of the divine vision received from God, David Ibiyeomie runs a virile television outreach named Hour of Salvation in several local stations which also cuts across the nations of the world like Daystar Television (U.S.A), KICC (London), GodTV, Inspiration International (U.K), and BenTV. WJYS (Chicago), MCTV (Chicago), ACBN amongst others. His television ministry is a multimillion naira project which gulps over N100 million annually.
One of his money spinning projects is the Book Ministry. David Ibiyeomie is a teacher and erudite writer with the sole aim of imparting lives. He has authored the following books – The Power Of Vision, How To Come Out Of Debt, Walking In Divine Health, Six Steps To Multiplication, Power In The Name Of Jesus, Touch Of Excellence, See You At The Top, Wonder Of Hs Grace, Recovering Your Inheritance, Power Of Small Beginning, The Prosperous Family, Miracle Hands, Living Without Financial Pressure, Releasing Your Destiny, Created For Distinction, Unlimited Success, Wisdom For Family Peace, Secrets For Generational Impact, How To Get Married, The Pathway To Greatness, Succeeding With Challenges, Wisdom For Healthy Living, Principles Of Covenant Wealth, The Price For Power, How Faith Works, How To Hear From God, Keys To Impactful Living, The Power Of Praise.
His books are like a bible to his several followers which rakes in several millions of naira. Aside from that, he runs one of the most vibrant bible schools called Word of Life Bible Institute (WOLBI). It is a non – denominational institute where the word of God is taught to equip Christians with the knowledge to handle issues of life with the result. The school runs three (3) different programmes – Basic Certificate Course, Advanced Certificate Course, Diploma Certificate Course. Several people have passed through this institute.
Pastor David Ibiyeomie’s central message focuses on prosperity, all round success and good health of all believers. It is reported that he runs a multimillion naira philanthropic ministry where he empowers the poor, widows, orphans, offers a scholarship to indigents and housing for pastors. All his pastors (over 40) drive the same brand of jeep he drives and own houses. It is claimed that Pastor Ibiyeomie proved that you don’t just need to be in government or be a politician or businessman to be wealthy and assist others, especially those in need.
David Ibiyeomie was born in Bonny Island on October 21, 1962. Even though he was born in Bonny, his late parents were indigenes of Bolo Town in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers state.
He attended Banham Primary School, Port Harcourt, from 1969 to 1974 for his primary education; Government Comprehensive Secondary School from 1974 to 1979 and Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, from 1980 to 1084. In recognition of his diligence and result oriented ministry the Bradley University of America awarded him a honorary doctorate degree in divinity on May 15, 2004.
David Ibiyeomie became born again in 1995. He discovered his divine calling in 1995. He was mentored by Bishop David Oyedepo. He attended full time Bible School at the Word of Faith Bible Institute, an arm of Pastor David Oyedepo’s ministries in 1996. In the course of his training, he was greatly influenced by Bishop Oyedepo’s standards.
David Ibiyeomie is joyfully married to Peace Ibiyeomie, who is also a pastor by calling and they are blessed with a son, David.
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