Controversial, eccentric, and above everything else, unforgettable – this is South African Pastor Alph Lukau, the founder of the worldwide famous Alleluia Ministries, and one of the world’s most powerful and richest Christian Pastors.
There’s a lot to say about Alph Lukau, starting with the fact that he’s as loved as he’s controversial, and as loved as he’s rejected by those who disapprove of his way of doing business and promoting the power of his faith. Nevertheless, one thing about Lukau is that he always comes up safe and sound even from the most serious controversies, with an ever-growing audience of over 12 million people across social media.
So, who is Pastor Alph Lukau, and how rich is he? Keep with us to learn all about it!
Net Worth & Lifestyle
According to online reports, Pastor Alph Lukau has an estimated net worth of $1 billion, making him into one of the richest pastors in the world. This results from his decades-long career as a Christian Pastor, and the income from his business, Alleluia International Ministries and AMI TV, the TV station centered on it, which can be watched in several countries in Africa and Europe. He’s also a highly relevant TV evangelist and social media personality, having over 6.5 million followers on Instagram alone.
Lukau is also a successful author and businessman, counting mining as one of his most prominent investments. Although it might come off as unusual for a religious personality to get into profitable businesses, Forbes states that this type of ‘purpose-driven’ business model is becoming increasingly common, with Lukau as one of the most prominent businessmen who have made fortunes out of it.
While Alph Lukau also gives back to the less privileged through his AL Foundation, that doesn’t mean he abstains from pursuing a lavish lifestyle. Besides owning a private jet, it isn’t rare to see the Pastor wearing expensive fashion brands, and driving luxury cars from manufacturers such as Bentley, Lamborghini, and Ferrari.
All in all, Pastor Alph Lukau’s prominence as a Christian figure is paired off with his love for the lavish.
Resurrection Stunt
While Pastor Alph Lukau is admired and looked up to by many, he’s also faced a fair share of backlash and controversy. The biggest and most well-known event took place in 2019, when he performed a ‘resurrection’ act on a Zimbabwean man named Eliot, who had allegedly died in Johannesburg, close to Lukau’s Church.
The video of the Pastor performing the so-called resurrection went viral, and the case became known worldwide, though most reactions were incredulous and negative, and it didn’t take long before people took to the internet to start meme trends scoffing at the act.
Not everyone took Lukau’s actions lightly, though. According to reports, South African Government offices such as the CRL Rights Commission stated that the resurrection act was faked, and other authorities were unable to confirm Eliot was ever declared dead in the first place.
On a darker turn of events, three funeral companies took legal action against people involved with the scheme, as they alleged that they were tricked into believing not only that Eliot was deceased, but also that there was a dispute between the three companies, unwillingly involving them in the issue, and thus affecting their reputation. Another legal action was taken back then, though this was from Lukau’s Church against a local newspaper for allegedly writing articles which defamed the Pastor.
Last but not least, some former members of Lukau’s Church, Alleluia International Ministries, rejected his actions, and accused him of ‘lying in God’s name’.
What Are the Alleluia International Ministries?
Alleluia International Ministries is the Christian Church founded by Pastor Alph Lukau in 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa. According to the ministry’s website, their Church has its foundation ‘rooted on the word of God’, and defines its mission as ‘(expanding) the borders of the Kingdom of God through evangelism and outreach’.
That said, the ministry founded by Lukau has been widely successful, and around 20,000 had graduated from it by 2023. On top of that, the Church expanded to several countries in Africa and even South America, becoming a worldwide sensation with the help of its 24/7-functioning TV station.
It’s also through Alleluia International that Lukau has made most of his fortune, pairing his knack for delivering powerful speeches with his sense for business. However, that doesn’t come off as right from many people’s perspective, even some of his former associates.
According to a report by the City Press, some aspects of the company/Church are shady, alleging that the miracles are ‘staged’, and that it’s mandatory to sign a ‘covenant’ to join, leading Church members to be legally bound to not reveal what happens inside it. It’s also alleged that the parishioners are obligated to purchase expensive clothes from the Church, and afford Lukau’s luxuries to prove their loyalty.
Social Media Reach & Other Businesses
While Pastor Alph Lukau is wildly successful as head of his ministry, faith isn’t the only thing he’s good at. His business expanded to the exploitation of copper, cobalt, and gold with his AL Group of Companies.
According to press releases, his mission is to further develop the mining industry in Africa in sustainable ways, all of this to turn the continent into the leading one in the field.
Besides mining, Alph Lukau is incredibly good utilising social media. By early 2025, his YouTube channel had over 1.5 million subscribers, and had accumulated almost 450 million views of his videos. The channel serves mostly to promote his shows internationally, particularly in South Africa, as well as to bring his speeches to people who can’t access AIM TV.
Similarly, the same can be said about his Instagram and Facebook profiles, through which he’s accumulated an astonishing audience of over 12 million followers combined. This makes it clear that despite the controversies faced by Alph Lukau and his ministry, that doesn’t diminish the impact that he has had at all on his followers and people who loyally trust in his interpretation of the Christian Faith.
