Pastor Chris Oyakhilome: The Family Man

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is essentially a family man with Christian family values deeply rooted in his upbringing. Born with an insatiable passion for spreading the Word of God around the world, he went on his first crusade at the age of nine.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome: the family man, pastor, spiritual healer, and philanthropist.

The world-renown minister Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is of a family of faith.

Born to Elder Tim E. and Angelina Oyakhilome in Edo State, Nigeria, on the 7^th of December 1963, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome was surrounded by a close-knit, religious family.

As the eldest son, he is the third child of seven, with five sisters and a brother. His family was immersed in the gospel, with his father being a founding member of the Assemblies of God Church in Benin City. This had a profound effect on the young Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, who honored his parents in the spirit of a devout Christian son.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome finished secondary school at Edo College before going on to study architecture at Ambrose Alli University, previously known as Bendel State University.

There his spiritual passion was fueled, and he founded a Christian group called ‘Youth for Christ’, which evolved into one of the biggest groups on campus with a huge following.

The beginning of a dream: Christ Embassy is born

It was clear that Pastor Chris Oyakhilome was onto something big, and soon, the Christ Embassy Church was born.

It became evident that family would join him as the ministry grew into a larger business that involved so many more evangelical activities. This became LoveWorld Inc., and today, it has hundreds of branches spread over five continents, with a following of over 13 million members.

The teachings of the gospel are a vital component of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s family’s lives and successes, and they are involved in the daily operations of LoveWorld Inc.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s family gets involved

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome sees Christ Embassy as part of his worldwide family. His own family’s involvement in the ministry is heartwarming to see.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s only brother, Reverend Ken, is the renowned pastor of Christ Embassy’s Houston, Texas branch. He also serves on the Christ Embassy Central Executive Council.

One of his five sisters is the accomplished Evangelist Kathy Woghiren, the director of the LoveWorld Music and Arts Ministry (LMAM) and LoveWorld Creative Arts Academy. She is also a talented singer and songwriter in her own right.

Her songwriting expertise has led to some of the most famous LoveWorld songs, including the anthem “I Believe in Nigeria”.

Last year, at the prestigious LoveWorld International Music Awards (LIMA), she won the Songwriter of the Year award with the hit song ‘Awesome Majesty’.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome remarked proudly at the award ceremony that this song was the best-ever written song that year.

“For me, I don’t think I’ve seen a better-written song than this one. The lyrics are exceptional, and the singing was full of passion and love, deeply communicated,” he enthused.

“Music and the arts are powerful tools for evangelism, soul-winning, healing, and the ministration of the Word in such a way that the gospel is forever beautifully engraved in the hearts of our audience,” Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has been known to say.

The award show is a platform given by him to celebrate the gospel of Jesus Christ according to LoveWorld Inc. through the diversities of the LoveWorld Music and Arts Ministry.

The next Oyakhilome generation

Known widely in the gospel singer’s community by her initials CSO, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s daughter Carissa Sharon Oyakhilome is a rising gospel star.

Inspired by her father’s teachings and as a celebration of his history, she wrote the award-winning song “Holy Spirit” as a testament to her deeply felt Christian devotion.

She is also the leader of the Global Youth Leaders’ Forum and presents many shows on its online channels.

Carissa Sharon Oyakhilome wedded her “best friend and absolute favorite person,” Phillip Frimpong, in a lavish affair in 2018.

Her younger sister, Charlene Oyakhilome, was her bridesmaid, and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome was overjoyed to have one of his best friends and colleagues, Pastor Benny Hinn, officiate at the ceremony.

Much less is known about Charlene Oyakhilome, who keeps her life very private. All that is known is that she resides in London, the United Kingdom.

In April 2021, the Pastor Chris Oyakhilome family was expanded with Arielle Rachelle Marise, his granddaughter through Carissa Sharon Oyakhilome.

Extended members of the Pastor Chris Oyakhilome family

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s family also consists of his nephew, Pastor Daysman Oyakhilome Woghiren. He is one of Africa’s rising leaders, encouraging the youth of today to become involved in the Word of God.

As a businessman and the CEO of Carel Films Enterprise, he is able to inspire young people through the use of modern social media methods.

He is responsible for the production of hundreds of Christian music videos and animations, which have earned him three American Academy of Animations Awards. He was also the recipient of the prestigious Walt Disney Award and a nominee for a Future Africa Leaders’ Award (FALA).