Paragraph 1: Transition and New Beginnings for Pastor David Abioye
Pastor David Abioye, formerly the vice president of Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel, has embarked on a new chapter in his ministry. Following his retirement from Winners Chapel in October 2024, Abioye established a non-denominational ministry, initially holding services on Sunday evenings. This transition marks a significant shift in his ministry journey, moving from a prominent leadership role within a large established church to leading a new, independent ministry. This move reflects a broader trend among prominent pastors who, upon reaching retirement age or seeking new avenues for ministry, establish their own congregations or organizations.
Paragraph 2: Sunday Morning Services and a Growing Congregation
In a recent announcement on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Pastor Abioye revealed a further development in his ministry’s trajectory. Starting May 4th, 2025 (presumably, as the original text doesn’t provide a year for the announcement), his ministry’s services shifted to Sunday mornings at 8:00 AM. This change signals a potential expansion of his ministry, aiming to reach a wider audience and cater to those who may find morning services more convenient. The move to morning services aligns with the traditional Sunday worship patterns observed by many Christian denominations, possibly indicating a desire to attract a more diverse congregation.
Paragraph 3: Retirement and New Leadership at Winners Chapel
Pastor Abioye’s departure from Winners Chapel was part of a larger leadership transition within the church. Alongside Pastor Thomas Aremu, he retired in October 2024 in accordance with the church’s revised leadership policy, which mandated retirement at age 55. At the time of their retirement, Aremu was 67 and Abioye was 63, suggesting a period of transition before the policy’s full implementation. These retirements underscore the importance of succession planning within large religious organizations to ensure continuity and facilitate the emergence of new leadership.
Paragraph 4: Embracing a Non-Denominational Approach
Pastor Abioye’s new ministry is characterized by its non-denominational nature, distinguishing it from his previous role within the specific denominational structure of Winners Chapel. This non-denominational approach suggests a broader appeal, welcoming individuals from diverse Christian backgrounds and potentially focusing on core Christian beliefs and practices that transcend denominational boundaries. This approach could also provide greater flexibility in ministry style and outreach strategies, allowing for a more tailored approach to the needs of the specific community being served.
Paragraph 5: Communication and Community Building
Pastor Abioye’s use of social media, particularly his X handle, plays a crucial role in communicating changes and updates regarding his ministry. His announcements regarding the shift to morning services included encouraging messages of anticipation and invitations for individuals to tag others they would like to invite. This active engagement with his followers fosters a sense of community and underscores the importance of personal connections in building a vibrant and growing congregation. This digital outreach reflects the increasing use of social media platforms by religious leaders to connect with their followers, disseminate information, and build relationships within their communities.
Paragraph 6: Copyright and Intellectual Property
The concluding statement of the original text emphasizes the protection of copyright and intellectual property associated with the news article. This serves as a reminder of the legal frameworks surrounding media content and the importance of respecting copyright regulations. This standard practice in journalism underscores the value placed on original reporting and the rights of news organizations to control the distribution and reproduction of their content. This serves to protect the integrity of journalistic work and ensure that proper attribution is given to the original source.
