Bishop David Abioye Launches New Church After Winners Chapel Retirement

 Bishop David Abioye, former Vice-President of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners Chapel), will launch his new ministry, Covenant Glory Christian Centre, with its inaugural Sunday service on May 4, 2025, in Abuja, seven months after retiring from Winners Chapel. 

The announcement, made on April 25, 2025, has generated excitement among his followers, eager to see the continuation of his influential preaching career. Abioye, who retired alongside Bishop Thomas Aremu in October 2024, is set to lead the new church in Durumi, Abuja, where he served as senior pastor of Living Faith Church, Goshen City.

Abioye, 64, joined Winners Chapel in 1979, becoming one of its five pioneer pastors in 1987 and consecrated as a bishop in 1993 at age 32, per Punch Nigeria. His retirement aligned with the church’s revised operational manual, The Mandate, which lowered the retirement age to 55, though Bishop David Oyedepo remains exempt, per church sources cited by Punch. Abioye’s farewell service on October 18, 2024, drew thousands, reflecting his impact over four decades, during which he oversaw Winners Chapel’s expansion to 5,000 branches across Nigeria. His new ministry will focus on “restoring lives and destinies” through biblical teachings, with plans for a 10,000-seat auditorium.

The Covenant Glory Christian Centre has secured a temporary worship site in Durumi, with services scheduled for 8 a.m. Sundays and midweek programs to be announced. Abioye, known for his books like The Productive Christian and his mentorship of young pastors, has appointed a leadership team, though details remain undisclosed. The launch follows months of speculation about his next steps, with some expecting him to join another denomination, but Abioye opted to establish an independent ministry, per Vanguard Nigeria.

The move underscores Nigeria’s dynamic Pentecostal landscape, where new churches often emerge from established ones, contributing to the sector’s 15% annual growth, per a 2024 Pew Research report. Abioye’s departure from Winners Chapel, where he was a key figure under Oyedepo, marks a significant transition, but his reputation ensures a strong following. The church’s opening is expected to draw attendees from across the Federal Capital Territory, reinforcing Abioye’s legacy as a leading voice in Nigerian Christianity.