Healing in African Pentecostalism: The “Victorious Living” of David Oyedepo

Abstract

Focusing on Living Faith Church Worldwide, or Winners’ Chapel, founded by David Oyedopo in Lagos, Nigeria, with 400 branches in thirty-eight African countries, this chapter argues that the defining characteristic of African pentecostalism, influenced by global Word of Faith and Prosperity movements, is “victorious living.” There are six avenues to victory: motivation, entrepreneurship, practical life skills, “Faith Gospel” or sowing and reaping, anointing or prophetic declaration, and exorcisms or deliverance from evil spirits. Because victory cannot be characterized by sickness, healing is never far from center. This worldview sees spiritual forces as responsible for illness. As in traditional African religions, victory is evident in this world. Oyedepo’s Christianity is about triumph, blessing, dominion, material success, producing health and business promotion. Africa is the one part of the world which has experienced globalization as marginalization. Pentecostalism is one of the few global phenomena in which Africa can participate as an equal.