Who are notable self-proclaimed apostles active in the 21st century?

1. What the question really asks and why it matters

The user seeks named examples of people who today call themselves apostles and operate publicly as such; that requires separating movement architects and promoters (who declare a restored office) from individual leaders who take the title, and examining both proponents’ claims and critics’ rebuttals ^{[5] [1]}.

2. Movement architects and the names often cited

C. Peter Wagner is repeatedly credited as a pivotal figure who announced an apostolic revival in the early 2000s and promoted the idea that apostles would reappear, a statement that helped normalize contemporary apostolic claims ^[1]. Publications and commentators link Wagner’s teaching to the broader NAR, which explicitly teaches restoration of apostles and prophets and has spread through conferences and networks ^[5].

3. Prominent ministries and individual leaders associated with modern apostleship

Contemporary charismatic ministries such as Bethel Church, The SEND network, and high‑profile conference platforms are regularly named in reporting around modern apostleship and the public figures who associate with the title; writers identify leaders connected to those movements—Bill Johnson (Bethel), Lou Engle, and Todd White among the commonly mentioned influential personalities—though reporting often treats some of these figures as promoters of apostolic authority rather than always self‑identifying with the exact label “apostle” in the traditional historical sense ^{[1] [3]}.

4. Self‑proclaimed apostles in the online ecosystem and local churches

Observers and critics note that beyond famous ministries there is a broad online ecosystem of lesser‑known individuals who explicitly style themselves “apostle” — articles point to dozens of accessible examples and even use placeholder names like “Ron, Dennis, Gerald, Arsenio, Oscar, or Joanne” to illustrate how common such self‑claims are on the internet and at regional conferences ^[6].

5. The theological and practical pushback

A sizable body of conservative evangelical and apologetic writing rejects the idea of new apostles, arguing the New Testament apostles were uniquely commissioned and that modern self‑designation is theologically unfounded; sources making this case cite biblical criteria and the uniqueness of first‑century commissioning as reasons to deny contemporary apostleship ^{[1] [4]}. Critics also warn about abuses: self‑aggrandizement, dynastic ministry practices, and the damage from high‑profile failed prophetic claims are repeatedly cited as practical harms linked to self‑styled apostles and prophets ^{[7] [8]}.

6. How proponents defend contemporary apostleship

Proponents argue that the New Testament’s descriptions of apostolic ministry are broader than the Twelve and Paul, that God still gifts apostolic leaders for church planting, governance and cultural mandate, and that modern examples demonstrate a functional apostolic role without requiring literal parity with first‑century apostles ^{[3] [2]}.

7. Bottom line: who to list as ‘notable’ and how to read those labels

Reporting identifies movement founders and influencers—C. Peter Wagner as a catalyst and figures associated with Bethel, The SEND, and large charismatic conferences—as the most notable drivers of contemporary apostolic identity, and it documents a large field of lesser‑known self‑proclaimed apostles operating online and regionally ^{[1] [5] [6]}. That said, many respected theologians and apologetics outlets contest the legitimacy of such claims and urge caution, so the label “apostle” remains contested and should be reported with careful qualification about who is claiming it and on what theological grounds ^{[4] [1]}.