Benson Idahosa

Benson Andrew Idahosa was born on September 11th, 1938 in Benin-City, Edo state, Nigeria. He was a Charismatic Pentecostal preacher, and founder of the Church of God Mission International.

Benson Idahosa Age

Benson Idahosa would have been 26 years old, if he were alive today. May his soul rest in peace.

Benson Idahosa Early Life

Idahosa was born as an unhealthy child into a poor family. As a result of his constant illness his father ordered the mother to throw him in the dust bin. When he was eighteen months old he was left on a rubbish heap to die. He was rejected by his father, sent to work on a farm as a servant and was denied education until he was fourteen years old. His education was irregular due to the poor financial status of his parents. He later took correspondence courses from Britain and the United States while working in Bata Shoe Company. He was so poor that he could not afford a pair of shoes until he was eighteen years old.

Benson Idahosa Career

In 1952, through a dramatic incident Idahosa became a Christian in an Assemblies of God Church in Benin. After his conversion he read the whole of John’s Gospel and decided he had to witness to his friends. This was the beginning of Idahosa’s preaching the Gospel. He later sought after the experience of Baptism in the Spirit and he asked the Pastor at the Assembly of God to pray for him. He was filled with the Spirit and spoke in tongues.

After this experience Idahosa began to preach in the different villages organizing open air meetings. He did this in the evening while he worked for a shoe company (Bata) during the day. He was also an active and committed member of the Assembly of God Church where he was converted. 

The open air meetings witnessed people being healed of epilepsy and many other sicknesses. Other miracles were also happening in these meetings. The news about the open air meetings started to spread to other villages and this led to more evangelistic activities. In order to reach more people with the Gospel he bought a motorcycle to help him travel to distant villages to conduct Gospel meetings.

In June 1967, Idahosa lost his father during the Civil War riots. A year later, during one night, his room was filled with God’s presence and he was awoken from sleep by a voice. It was the Lord speaking to him about his future mission; “I have called you that you might take the gospel around the world in my name, preach the gospel, and I will confirm my word with signs following. After this experience he began to do more evangelistic meetings and outreaches. He would ask the Chiefs who head the villages for permission to conduct an evangelistic meeting in their village.

In order to build this new church building members of Idahosa’s church contributed a lot of money, time and labour. Later he met one of the Apostolic Church missionaries, S.G. Elton and they became good friends. Elton became Idahosa’s mentor and it was him that introduced Idahosa to Gordon and Freda Lindsey (one of the healing evangelist of the Latter Rain Movement). Both Elton and Lindsey ordained him into ministry in 1971. He was granted scholarship to study at Gordon Lindsey’s Bible College, Christ for the Nations Institute in Texas United States. Gordon Lindsey also helped him financially to build the new church.

While Idahosa was studying for a Diploma in Divinity, he read T.L Osborn’s book on evangelism and he became very concerned about evangelizing Benin his home town. He later asked permission from Gordon Lindsey to go back to Nigeria. Permission was granted and he went back in 1972 not completing his Diploma in Divinity.

He is the founder of Benson Idahosa University (BIU) in Benin City, Edo state. He also pioneered a television ministry, ‘Redemption Hour’ which made him to become the first TV evangelist in Africa. His Bible College has trained the likes of Bishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams of Christ Action Faith Ministries, Bishop Charles Agyin-Asare of Word Miracle Church International, Bishop James Saah, Bishop Christianah Doe Tetteh of Solid Rock Chapel International and many others. 

Many of today’s Nigerian Pentecostal ministers can trace their roots directly or indirectly back to Idahosa’s ministry and influence. Men such as Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, Bishop Francis Wale Oke of Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Bishop Mike Okonkwo (former president of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria), Ayo Oritsejafor, current president of CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) and many more. He was the founding president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).

Benson Idahosa Personal Life

Idahosa was married to Margaret Idahosa with whom he had a son and three daughters. He died on March 12th, 1998 at the age of 59. Archbishop Idahosa was said to be the leader of over seven million Jesus people worldwide before he died.

Benson Idahosa Net Worth

His net worth is not available.

Benson Idahosa on Social Media