Some of the country's biggest megachurches like Lakewood Church, North Point Ministries, Saddleback Church and The Potter's House have become household names in American culture based on their sheer size and influence. But how do they compare in size to other megachurches outside of North America? A new report has the answer.
According to findings recently published by Leadership Network, many North American megachurches — the largest of which have upwards of 30,000 to 40,000 in weekly attendance — are dwarfed when compared to the weekly attendance of some megachurches around the globe. A database compiled by researcher Warren Bird categorizes these larger megachurches by continent and country, size in weekly attendance, pastorship, the year founded, and whether or not they have multiple campuses.
Researchers found that Asia is home to the world's largest megachurch, and currently there is none that rivals it in size. With a staggering 480,000 in weekly attendance, Korea's Yoido Full Gospel Church got its start in the living room of one of its founding pastors. Headquartered in the capital city of Seoul, it has grown into a multi-site megachurch with a branch in the U.S. The organization was founded in 1958 and is affiliated with the Assemblies of God. It has been headed by senior pastor Young Hoon Lee since 2008.
Korea's second largest megachurch, also located in Seoul, is a Presbyterian organization with 75,000 in weekly attendance, called Onnuri (All Nations) Community Church.
On the African continent, researchers report that the region's largest megachurch is Deeper Christian Life Ministry. The Nigeria-based assembly is a non-denominational charismatic church with 75,000 in weekly attendance.
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