A pastor is the leader of a Christian congregation who also gives advice and counsel to people from the community or congregation. In Lutheranism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Anglicanism, pastors are always ordained. In Methodism, pastors may be either licensed or ordained. Pastors are known as spiritual leaders, hence, they are expected to preach the gospel and lead sinners to repentance. This may not be the only quality some of these charismatic pastors are known for as they are first academic scholars before the call to serve the lord as church leaders. But sometimes they are also academic leaders as proven by the fact that some hold doctor of philosophy degrees (PhDs).
Here is a list of five popular pastors with doctoral degrees:
1. Pastor Sam Adeyemi
The lead Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre is the newest addition to this list with a Ph.D. in Strategic Leadership (Global Consulting) from Regent University, Virginia Beach, United States of America.
2. Pastor William F. Kumuyi
In February 2018, the founder of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry was awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree by the University of Abuja. The award took place on February 24, 2018, during the institution’s 22nd Convocation. He also has a first class degree in Mathematics from the University of Ibadan.
3. Pastor Enoch Adeboye
Prior to becoming the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), the preacher was first a lecturer in mathematics at the universities of Lagos and Ilorin. He was later awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Lagos.In 2017, the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo announced that Pastor Adeboye was the first Nigerian to acquire a PhD Degree in Applied Mathematics from a Nigerian university.
Speaking at the 2017 distinguished alumni awards and celebration of University of Lagos at 55, he said, “I want to say that UNILAG has proved time and time again to be not just a university of first-choice but also the University of firsts!
“So many firsts in different areas; just reading about Doctor Olukoya, he was the first to clone genes. Hardly anyone would know that the pastor and founder of Mountain of Fire and Miracles was also the first to clone genes. That is an absolutely outstanding thing.
“The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God was also the first Nigerian to get a PhD in a Nigerian university in Applied Mathematics.”
That same year, he was given an honorary doctorate degree by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Pastor Adeboye was awarded the Doctor of Divinity.
4. Pastor Daniel Olukoya
The popular preacher is not just the founder of the Mountain of Fire Ministries but also a doctoral degree holder.
He holds a PhD in Molecular Genetics from University of Reading, United Kingdom. He also has a degree in Microbiology, University of Lagos.
5. Bishop David Oyedepo
He is the founder and presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, a.k.a Winners’ Chapel and a Ph.D. degree holder. Edugist reports that he has a PhD in Human Development from the University of Honolulu in the United States of America.
