The Bible says in Luke 14:23: 

“And the lord said unto the servant, go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” 

As evident from this verse, it is God’s desire for us to gather in His house, united in His presence. And what better way to be a part of this spiritual unity than by attending one of the largest churches in Africa? In this article, we have compiled a list of these mega-churches that we believe everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.

Mega-churches can be found across the world, where like-minded Christians gather in the hundreds, thousands, or even hundreds of thousands. In this article, we will specifically focus on mega-churches in the continent of Africa and the remarkable missions they undertake in service to God.

1. First Love Church – Ghana

First Love Church was founded by Pastor Dag Heward-Mills, the founder of the United Denominations originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches. In 2012, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills was inspired by the Holy Spirit to establish this new denomination in a small chapel at the University of Ghana’s Legon Campus.

It began with just a handful of students, but today, the church boasts over 10,000 members who gather at the First Love Centre in Accra, Ghana, where countless young people come together for fellowship and worship.

With a deep commitment to soul-winning and a passion for transforming lives, the church has witnessed numerous individuals finding salvation and renewal.

First Love Church has a global presence with over 150 churches worldwide, including 28 locations in Ghana, 32 in the UK, and 22 in the USA, among others. The church also hosts various conferences aimed at empowering both the young and old with the teachings of God’s word, equipping them to be effective soul-winners for Christ and spreading the gospel to every corner of the globe.

2. Winners Chapel (Living Faith Church) – Nigeria

Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, is the largest church in Nigeria and the second biggest church in Africa. Founded in Lagos by David Oyedepo in 1983, its core mission is to liberate as many souls as possible from the oppression of the devil through the power of God’s word.

With a weekly attendance of 50,000 and a global network spanning 65 countries, this mega-church is a vessel through which the Holy Spirit touches the lives of thousands every day.

   The church’s mission is founded on 12 pillars, including faith, the word of God, the supernatural, praise, the Holy Spirit, prosperity, vision, prayer, healing, wisdom, consecration, and success. These principles have been instrumental in growing the church to its current immense congregation, ensuring that the house of God is filled to capacity.

3. Redeemed Christian Church of God – Nigeria

The primary goal of the Redeemed Christian Church of God is to prepare souls for heaven, a priority shared by Christians worldwide. Established in 1952 by Josiah Akindayomi and now led by Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the church is dedicated to guiding as many people as possible to heaven by promoting a holy and righteous lifestyle.

To achieve this, the church has placed a strong emphasis on planting churches within a 5-minute walking distance in every city and town, both in developing and developed countries.

RCCG engages in various initiatives that extend beyond spiritual outreach. One such initiative is the Christian Social Responsibility (CSR) program, which actively contributes to diverse areas of society, including education, healthcare, media, business, and sports. The church has a global presence, with branches in over 192 countries and an estimated 5 million members worshiping in its 14,000 centers worldwide.

4. Deeper life Bible church

Deeper Christian Life Ministry, also known as Deeper Life Bible Church, stands as a global Pentecostal Christian denomination headquartered in Gbagada, Lagos, specifically at Deeper Life Bible Church Lagos. The spiritual guidance of this influential ministry is under the leadership of Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, who serves as the General Superintendent

The ministry’s origins trace back to 1973 when W.F. Kumuyi, then a mathematics lecturer at the University of Lagos, initiated a Bible study group. This group comprised 15 individuals eager for a deeper understanding of the Scriptures.

Initially, it was known as the Deeper Christian Life Ministry. Kumuyi’s spiritual journey led him from Anglicanism to the Apostolic Faith Church, and in 1975, he faced expulsion from the latter due to his preaching without formal credentials.

Undeterred, he continued his independent ministry, which evolved into the Deeper Life Bible Church in 1982. During the early 1980s, this small group had burgeoned into a community of thousands, marking the formal establishment of the Deeper Life Bible Church.

Over time, the ministry expanded its reach across sub-Saharan Africa and subsequently extended its influence to the United Kingdom. From there, branches emerged in Western Europe, Russia, India, and North America.

An important milestone in the ministry’s history occurred in April 2018 when the new headquarters church in Gbagada was inaugurated. This significant event saw the presence of dignitaries including the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo.

In 2020, the Lagos Church alone boasted a congregation of 65,000 people. Such a number solidifies its spot as one of the biggest churches in Africa.

5. Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Church

Founded by Pastor Lazarus Muoka on December 23, 2002, the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Church operates with a three-fold vision that has guided its principles for over two decades. It is one of the largest churches in Africa.

These pillars include fostering grassroots revival worldwide (Mark 16:15-17), restoring apostolic Christian experiences among the body of Christ (1 Peter 2:9-10), and reviving heavenly consciousness within the body of Christ (Matthew 6:33). With these principles at its core, the church has grown to become the 8th largest mega-church in Africa, with a weekly attendance of 30,000 people.

6. Christ Embassy (Believers Love World Fellowship)

Christ Embassy, a ministry led by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has a presence not, only in Africa but also around the world. Their main center in Lagos boasts an auditorium that can comfortably accommodate over 20,000 people. The teachings of the church focus on faith, healing, and prosperity.

However, the Christ Embassy’s influence goes beyond locations. They effectively utilize technology and media to connect with an audience making them one of the most recognized African-based churches internationally. Their annual events such, as the Higher Life Conference and Night of Bliss attract gatherings. Deeply impact the spiritual lives of those who attend.