Nigerian preacher and founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has revealed he made a vow to God to build 1,000 churches before his death.

Oyedepo said the spiritual mission predates even his first bank account.

Speaking to members of his congregation during a sermon at the church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, Oyedepo said the commitment was born out of a deep desire to serve God tangibly and to “leave a legacy of impact” through church planting.

“Before I had a bank account, I made a covenant with God,” Oyedepo said. “I told Jesus, ‘If you ever bless me, I want to be a part of building new churches.’ And I meant it.”

Now one of Africa’s most prominent clerics, Oyedepo’s ministry, popularly known as Winners Chapel, has since grown into a global network with thousands of branches in Nigeria and abroad. However, the cleric insists he is not done yet.

“I don’t want to come to heaven without a thousand churches built in your name,” he declared, adding that his motivation was not wealth, but purpose.

Oyedepo used the occasion to challenge worshippers to reflect on their commitment to service and community, urging them to put idle resources to use for religious and social good.

“Some people have buses parked at home on Sundays, but they won’t bring them out to convey others to church,” he said. “It’s not about cost. It’s about the heart.”