At a Glance
- RCCG and Winners’ Chapel run top universities and hundreds of K–12 schools across Africa.
- Megachurches attract thousands weekly while expanding faith-based education and outreach programs continent-wide.
- Church-led schools deliver high academic standards infused with values, ethics, and community service.
In recent decades, churchism—the increasing dominance and social influence of Christian megachurches—has gained strong ground across Africa, shaping not only spiritual life but also the broader socio-economic landscape.
With congregations swelling into the tens of thousands, churches have evolved into powerful institutions influencing politics, media, and education. This rise has fueled the growth of K–12 and tertiary institutions owned and operated by church authorities, positioning them as trusted providers of values-based, high-quality education.
From Nigeria to South Africa and Ghana, prominent churches have built sprawling educational networks that include international-standard secondary schools and fully accredited universities. Institutions such as Covenant University (Winners’ Chapel), Redeemer’s University (RCCG), and Central University (International Central Gospel Church) reflect the increasing nexus between faith and formal education.
These schools offer not only academic excellence but also a curriculum grounded in Christian ethics and discipline, appealing to millions of parents across the continent seeking holistic development for their children.
As governments struggle to meet growing education demands, church-led educational models are filling critical gaps—providing infrastructure, fostering innovation, and producing graduates who contribute meaningfully to African societies. Churchism is no longer confined to Sunday worship; it’s reshaping Africa’s educational future, one faith-driven classroom at a time.
Shore Africa has chronicled a curated overview of Africa’s top 15 largest church congregations, based on regularly reported attendance, influence, and reach. While exact figures fluctuate, these churches are consistently recognized for their massive followings, extensive media presence, and pan-African impact:
1. Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) – Nigeria
Founded by the late Pa Josiah Akindayomi and currently led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is one of Africa’s most influential and fastest-growing Pentecostal movements. Its global reach spans over 190 nations, with a vibrant presence in both urban and rural communities.
Widely regarded as Africa’s largest church congregation, RCCG draws tens of thousands to its weekly services at the Redemption Camp along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with millions more participating globally through satellite parishes and digital platforms.
The church has made a significant impact on education through the establishment of Redeemer’s University in 2005, a top-tier private institution in Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. In addition to its university, RCCG operates an extensive K–12 education network comprising 314 nursery and primary schools, as well as 95 secondary schools, across Nigeria and abroad. These institutions are coordinated under the Christ Redeemer’s School Management Board (CRSMB), which combines faith, education, and global outreach, and has solidified its status as a cornerstone of Africa’s religious and educational evolution.
2. Living Faith Church/Winners’ Chapel – Nigeria
Founded in 1981 by Bishop David Oyedepo, Winners’ Chapel draws over 50,000 worshippers each Sunday to its 50,000-seat Faith Tabernacle in Ota. It operates Covenant University, established in 2002, and Landmark University, alongside a network of Covenant University Secondary Schools. With megachurch branches across Nigeria and beyond, its blend of charismatic worship, academic excellence, and social outreach cements its status as a leading African congregation.
3. Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) – Nigeria
Founded in 1989 by Dr. Daniel K. Olukoya, MFM has grown into one of Africa’s largest Pentecostal ministries, with its vast Prayer City outside Lagos drawing over 200,000 worshippers during monthly services. Globally, it oversees hundreds of branches and schools. MFM also runs K12 education through Mountain Top Schools and established Mountain Top University in 2015.
4. Christ Embassy (Believers’ Loveworld) – Nigeria
Led by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Christ Embassy attracts tens of thousands in person and millions online through daily broadcasts and international events. Headquartered in Lagos, it runs Loveworld Bible College and numerous children’s and youth ministries. Its cutting-edge media platforms, including LoveWorld TV, amplify its global reach, making it one of Africa’s most influential and media-savvy churches.
5. Dunamis International Gospel Centre – Nigeria
Founded in 1996 by Paul Enenche, Dunamis has grown into one of Africa’s most influential Pentecostal movements. Its flagship Glory Dome in Abuja seats an astounding 100,000 worshippers, making it one of the world’s largest church auditoriums. With branches across Nigeria and beyond, Dunamis attracts thousands weekly and hosts global conferences, with representation from over 50 nations. Also called ACK Pentecostal, this network spans numerous branches across Nairobi and other cities. While it holds several thousand attendees per branch, there’s no single auditorium comparable to Dunamis’s Glory Dome. Overall, the network’s congregations remain sizable but significantly smaller in scale compared to Dunamis.
6. Deeper Life Bible Church – Nigeria
Founded by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, Deeper Life commands one of Nigeria’s largest Pentecostal congregations. Its ultramodern headquarters in Gbagada, Lagos, seats over 30,000, with millions reached through global branches and strict holiness teachings. The church runs Deeper Life High Schools across Nigeria and supports university education through Lifelong Learning initiatives and Christian education centers.
7. Christ’s Chapel International – Ghana
Founded by Charles Agyinasare in 1992, Christ’s Chapel International has grown to multiple branches nationwide, with over 10,000 congregants at its Accra headquarters each Sunday. It oversees Perez University College and a network of Oasis International Schools. Through robust social programs—scholarships, clinics, and vocational training—it combines vibrant worship with community service across Ghana and the diaspora.
8. Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Lusaka – Zambia
Established in 1950 and led by Bishop Sam Mukanga, CAC Lusaka hosts over 8,000 worshippers every Sunday. As one of Zambia’s flagship Pentecostal congregations, it partners with CAC Theological Seminary and local primary schools. CAC’s deep community influence is seen in its health clinics, orphan support, and agricultural projects, reflecting its holistic vision of faith in action.
9. International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) – Ghana
Under Mensa Otabil since 1984, ICGC’s Accra Central Assembly attracts over 15,000 each week. It founded Central University College in 1998 and operates numerous ICGC Schools of Excellence. Known for its Widows and Orphans Outreach, ICGC blends dynamic preaching with extensive social programs, including micro-finance and education scholarships, impacting communities across West Africa.
10. Omega Fire Ministries- Nigeria
Founded by Apostle Johnson Suleman, Omega Fire Ministries draws tens of thousands at its Auchi, Edo State headquarters. Known for healing crusades, international branches, and fiery preaching, the church hosts massive global events and commands significant followership across Africa, Europe, and North America.
11. International Central Church – Uganda
Founded by Pastor Robert Kayanja in 1992, ICC Kampala sees over 10,000 attendees every Sunday. It oversees Kampala International University (KIU) and ICC Schools of Ministry. With extensive media outreach via Miracle Television and community projects—clean water, clinics, and vocational training—ICC shapes both spiritual life and social development in Uganda.
12. International Gospel Centre (Word of Life Bible Church) – Warri, Nigeria
Founded on November 15, 1987, by Apostle Ayo Oritsejafor, the International Gospel Centre is the flagship auditorium of Word of Life Bible Church. Seating 35,000, it hosts around 30,000 worshippers weekly in Warri’s Glory Dome. The church also oversees educational institutions—including Eagle Heights International Schools, International School of Ministry, and the under-construction Eagle Heights University—demonstrating its deep commitment to faith-based education.
13. Grace Bible Church – Nigeria
Founded by Bishop Francis Wale Oke in 1993, Lagos-based Grace Bible Church hosts over 6,000 congregants each Sunday. It partners with Grace School of Prophetic Ministries and runs community breakfast programs and drug-rehabilitation initiatives. Known for dynamic worship and practical discipleship, it nurtures leadership and social responsibility across its network. The church also owns Precious Cornerstone University.
14. The Cave of Adullam – Zimbabwe
Led by Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa since 2007, The Cave of Adullam Church in Harare draws over 8,000 on Sundays. It operates Adullam Bible College and sponsors feeding schemes for orphans and the elderly. Its emphasis on prophetic ministry, healing crusades, and social welfare has made it one of Zimbabwe’s fastest-growing and most socially engaged congregations.
15. Champions Royal Assembly – Nigeria
Founded in 2006 by Prophet Joshua Iginla, Champions Royal Assembly meets in the massive “City of Wonders” complex—an 80,000-seat auditorium in Kubwa, Abuja. The church runs Champions Royal Bible College and Champions Television. Known for its prophetic and deliverance ministry, it attracts thousands weekly and is noted for high-impact philanthropy, media presence, and generous community outreach.
