More than 25 years after his passing, Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa remains the single most influential Christian figure in Edo State and one of the greatest Pentecostal voices Africa has ever produced. Every Sunday, across Benin City, Auchi, Ekpoma, Uromi and beyond, Idahosa’s teachings, ministry patterns and revival spirit continue to define how churches worship and how pastors preach.
In Edo State, you can walk into virtually any Pentecostal church on a Sunday morning and still feel the imprint of a man who changed the continent’s spiritual landscape forever.
1. Idahosa’s Teachings: Still the Foundation of Edo Worship Today
Archbishop Idahosa’s teachings were bold, practical and rooted in faith. His messages on prosperity, boldness in prayer, miracles, evangelism, and divine authority remain the backbone of many Edo churches.
Key Teachings That Still Dominate Edo Pulpits:
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“Faith that works” — the belief that God’s power responds to bold declarations
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Prosperity with purpose — that God blesses His people so they can bless others
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Evangelism as a lifestyle — Christians should “go into all the world”
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Signs and wonders — healing, deliverance and the miraculous
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Excellence in ministry — dressing well, preaching with confidence, using media
To this day, pastors across the state quote his sermons, use his evangelistic strategies, and model their ministries after his bold, charismatic preaching style.
Even the structure of Edo worship services — from high-energy praise to miracle sessions — carries his unmistakable blueprint.
2. Impact on Modern Edo Pastors
Archbishop Idahosa trained, influenced or inspired nearly every major Edo pastor in the last three decades. Through Church of God Mission International (CGMI), Idahosa World Outreach (IWO) and All Nations for Christ Bible Institute, he raised a generation of ministers who now lead powerful churches globally.
Ways He Influences Today’s Edo Pastors
a. Preaching Style
Most Edo pastors preach with the same boldness, authority and storytelling Idahosa was known for.
b. Commitment to Miracles
Healing services, deliverance sessions and prophetic declarations are now standard in many Edo churches because Idahosa normalized them in the 1970s and 80s.
c. Evangelism Culture
Idahosa’s “Go ye” mandate still drives many Edo ministries to hold crusades, open new branches and take the gospel to rural communities.
d. Excellence in Ministry Presentation
The professional use of media, television, fine dressing and modern church branding in Edo can be traced to Idahosa’s influence—he was the first African pastor to appear on international Christian television.
e. Leadership and Mentorship
Many top Edo pastors today openly acknowledge his mentorship or inspiration, including:
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Bishop Margaret Idahosa
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Apostle Johnson Suleman
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Rev. Charles Osazuwa
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Bishop Feb Idahosa
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Bishop Mike Okonkwo (influenced nationally)
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Many graduates of ANFCBI (Bible Institute), now global ministers
His leadership style remains the gold standard of Edo Pentecostal ministry.
3. The Global Reach of His Legacy
Although Idahosa was based in Benin City, his influence became global long before his passing. Today, his legacy stretches across continents.
a. International Ministries
Churches founded or inspired by his teachings now operate in:
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USA
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UK
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Canada
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Germany
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South Africa
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Ghana
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Kenya
CGMI alone has hundreds of branches across Africa, Europe and North America.
b. Bible Schools
Idahosa’s Bible school (All Nations for Christ Bible Institute) has produced thousands of pastors serving worldwide.
c. Global Evangelism Structure
He pioneered open-air crusades, television evangelism and international missions—formats still used by African megachurches today.
d. Influence on Other Global Ministers
Idahosa mentored or inspired global icons including:
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Bishop David Oyedepo
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Bishop Francis Wale Oke
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Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
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Dr. Myles Munroe (acknowledged him as a mentor)
His teachings continue to circulate internationally through books, archived sermons, conferences and online platforms.
e. The Idahosa Legacy Institutions
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Benson Idahosa University (BIU)
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Faith Arena (CGMI Headquarters)
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Idahosa World Outreach
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International Gospel ministers trained under him
These institutions ensure his legacy is not just preserved but continually expanded.
Conclusion
Twenty-five years after Archbishop Benson Idahosa passed on, his influence still shapes how Edo worships every Sunday. His teachings remain the foundation of countless sermons, his ministry pattern drives many modern churches, and his global legacy continues to inspire African Christianity.
In Edo State, his voice may be silent—but his impact speaks louder than ever.
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