Oyedepo Launches Lovesquad, Calls for More Churches of Love

Pastor Kayode Oyedepo, a medical doctor and seasoned minister, has launched Lovesquad Church in Lagos, emphasizing the city’s urgent need for churches that genuinely preach God’s love. The inaugural service, held on February 16th at 58 Opebi Road, marked the beginning of a ministry driven by a conviction to address spiritual gaps within the community.

Pastor Oyedepo, previously serving at Miner’s Place, explained that he and his wife, also a medical doctor and minister, felt a strong calling to establish a new church in Lagos. He believes that despite the existing number of churches, there’s a critical need for more congregations focused on authentic love and spiritual transformation.

“Lagos needs the love of God that can truly change lives,” Pastor Oyedepo stated during the launch. “We need more churches that will spread this love to others.” He countered the notion of “too many churches” by citing a survey revealing that many individuals are disillusioned with the current church experience, particularly the younger generation. “They are running away from something in the world, only to find it replicated in the church,” he observed.

Pastor Oyedepo’s vision for Lovesquad Church is to “capture people with the love of God that compels us to do the right thing.” He pointed out the projected doubling of Lagos’ population in the next 15 years, highlighting the need for churches to cater to the spiritual needs of this growing population. He expressed concern about the “pollution” within some churches, making it difficult to recommend them to others.

“While some churches are doing it right, many are way off,” he said. “We need to recommend gospel-centered churches.” He emphasized that Lovesquad Church aims to be a beacon of revival, building a community of genuine believers who practice and share God’s love. “We are not perfect, but God’s love is perfect,” he asserted, clarifying that his focus is on building a localized community of love rather than a branching empire.

Bishop Abraham Olaleye, a guest speaker at the launch, echoed Pastor Oyedepo’s concerns about the state of the church. He lamented the prevalence of “motivational talks” and “how-to” messages, rather than the core message of salvation. “Something is lacking in the body of Christ,” he stated, emphasizing the need for uncorrupted preaching of the Word. “Miracles do not sustain a church; the teaching of the word of God does.” He expressed optimism that God is raising a new generation of preachers who will deliver the true gospel.

The launch of Lovesquad Church was met with goodwill messages from partners in South Africa, Europe, and the United States, who pledged their support to the new ministry. The church’s vision is to cultivate a community of authentic believers dedicated to sharing and embodying God’s love.