Olusegun Taiye James
In 2025, the leaders of televangelism and megachurches in the United States are showing both spiritual power and large amounts of money. In the last few decades, a small group of leaders have become very famous by building huge religious empires that go across the globe. Many different sources of income have shaped their financial lives, such as large church networks, global media ministries, best-selling books, speaking events, faith-based film production, and even their own businesses. These religious leaders, who are sometimes called “celebrity pastors,” have huge followings all over the world, not just in the United States. As more churches use cutting-edge technology and methods for reaching people around the world, the leaders of those churches are making more money to reflect this wider reach. As streaming services, YouTube sermons, and social media efforts have grown, so have their presence. This has turned them into spiritual entrepreneurs of our time. The following list shows the 10 richest pastors in the United States in 2025, based on public records and estimates:
List Of Top 10 Richest Pastors In America 2025
1. Kenneth Copeland
In 2025, Kenneth Copeland is still a well-known and sometimes controversial figure in American televangelism. As the founder of Kenneth Copeland Ministries (KCM), his lessons on faith, healing, and especially prosperity have fans all over the world. At the same time, his wealth and lifestyle have drawn a lot of attention. Copeland’s ministry began in 1967 and has since grown into a large business that includes TV shows, books, speaking events, and other media productions. “Believer’s Voice of Victory,” his most popular show, is seen by millions of people every week on TV and online. A “Word of Faith” theology is at the heart of KCM’s message. It stresses the importance of believing and positive confession in order to achieve spiritual, physical, and financial health. This teaching, especially its emphasis on material wealth as a sign of God’s favour, has been both a big part of Copeland’s financial success and a major point of complaint.
2. Joel Osteen
In 2025, Joel Osteen, who is the senior leader of Houston, Texas’s Lakewood Church, is still one of the most well-known and important Christians in the United States. Osteen is the leader of one of the biggest megachurches in the United States. About 45,000 people attend on average every week, and his positive and inspiring message reaches a lot of people inside and outside of his 16,800-seat former Compaq Centre sanctuary. As the leader of Lakewood Church since his father, John Osteen, died in 1999, Joel Osteen has developed a unique way of preaching that focusses on hope, support, and giving people power. Known as the “smiling preacher,” he often talks about how to think positively, deal with problems, and have faith in a better future. Because he is easy to understand and positive, he has a huge following. His weekly services are shown on TV networks like Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and Daystar Television Network, as well as online, reaching millions of people around the world.
3. Pat Robertson
The prominent televangelist, media magnate, and political pundit Pat Robertson died in June 2023 at 93, but his institutions continue to dominate American religious and political life in 2025. His multifaceted legacy, which includes great successes and controversies, endures beyond his death. Robertson founded many organisations during his 50-year career. He founded the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in 1960, a modest UHF station that became a global media company. For years, he co-hosted CBN’s flagship program, “The 700 Club,” which appealed to millions of conservative Christians and established him as an evangelical leader. In addition to broadcasting, Robertson founded Regent University in 1977, which trains conservative lawyers, politicians, and journalists. He founded Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation, a global humanitarian organisation. He also co-founded International Family Entertainment Inc. (IFE), which produced and distributed family-friendly content and was sold to Rupert Murdoch for $1.9 billion in 1997, becoming Fox Family Channel and then ABC Family (now Freeform).
4. Steven Furtick Jr.
In 2025, Elevation Church senior pastor Steven Furtick Jr. remains a major influence in American evangelicalism. Furtick’s charismatic preaching, innovative use of technology, and Elevation Worship’s global reach have earned him a huge following since founding the non-denominational megachurch in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2006. Elevation Church now has many US and worldwide campuses in 2025. Furtick’s words reach a wide audience beyond Sunday services thanks to the church’s strong online presence and social media involvement. His sermons on potential, breakthrough, and purpose resonate with modern audiences seeking advice and inspiration.
5. Andy Stanley
In 2025, Andy Stanley Jr., the founder and senior pastor of Alpharetta, Georgia-based North Point Ministries, is still a prominent and much talked-about figure in American evangelicalism. Stanley has developed a reputation for his practical approach to faith, his emphasis on reaching the “unchurched,” and his eloquent communication skills since founding North Point Community Church in 1995. Because of his well-known leadership conferences, best-selling books, and vast online presence, his influence goes well beyond the Atlanta metropolitan area.
6. Creflo Dollar
In 2025, College Park, Georgia-based World Changers Church International (WCCI) founder and senior pastor Creflo Dollar is a renowned and controversial figure in American televangelism. Dollar has created a global ministry and a large following due to his charismatic preaching and prosperity theology. The megachurch World Changers Church International was founded in 1986 with eight members and has tens of thousands of members and satellite locations worldwide. Dollar teaches that God wants believers to succeed financially and physically, and that faith, positive confession, and church giving can unlock these blessings. The prosperity gospel has resonated with many but has also been criticised for misinterpreting scripture and exploiting vulnerable people.
7. Rick Warren
After retiring as lead pastor in 2022, Rick Warren, the founder of Lake Forest, California’s Saddleback Church, remains a prominent Christian figure in 2025. His best-selling books, ministry efforts, and public presence make him influential even though he no longer runs the megachurch he founded in 1980. Warren’s legacy is wrapped up in Saddleback Church’s rise from a tiny Bible study to one of the nation’s largest and most famous churches. His groundbreaking “Purpose Driven” ideology, which emphasises five primary goals for the church and believers: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism, has transformed church growth tactics worldwide.
8. Jesse Duplantis
In 2025, Jesse Duplantis Ministries (JDM) founder Jesse Duplantis remains a prominent and controversial televangelist. Duplantis, known for his exuberance and advocacy of prosperity theology, has built a large following over decades despite public scrutiny of his money and lifestyle. Jesse Duplantis Ministries, which aims to “reach people and change lives around the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” spreads its message through television, online, and conferences. His ministry emphasises a direct relationship with God and the conviction that faith and generous giving to the ministry bring financial and material prosperity. JDM actively seeks partnerships and funds for global outreach.
9. T.D Jakes
After over three decades as the charismatic and popular head pastor of Dallas’ non-denominational megachurch The Potter’s House, Bishop T.D. Jakes remains a key figure in American Christianity in 2025, albeit in transition. His strong oratory, best-selling books, and film productions have made him a global spiritual leader. Leaving his senior pastor job in 2025 represents a major change in his ministry. The 1957-born Thomas Dexter Jakes Sr. began his ministry in a West Virginia shopfront. His energetic preaching and ability to connect with various audiences led to quick expansion and the 1996 foundation of The Potter’s House in Dallas. His complex ministry reached millions through broadcast services, MegaFest conferences, and outreach initiatives at this megachurch’s 5,000-seat auditorium.
10. Greg Laurie
In the year 2025, Greg Laurie, who has served as the lead pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship for a significant amount of time and has campuses in both Southern California and Hawaii, continues to be a major figure in the American evangelical community. In the short time since he began his pastoral ministry at the tender age of 19, Laurie has led Harvest from a humble Bible study consisting of thirty members to a flourishing multi-site church that has an impact on tens of thousands of people on a weekly basis. Even though the religious landscape is constantly shifting, Laurie’s dedication to “knowing God and making Him known” continues to be the driving force behind his influence.
