In today’s world, pastors have expanded their roles beyond traditional preaching to engaging in creative projects. One prominent figure in this movement is Apostle Emmanuel Iren, the lead pastor of Celebration Church International (CCI). In recent years, Apostle Iren has made a significant impact not only through his powerful sermons but also by exploring various creative ventures, which have garnered widespread attention and admiration.

When Apostle Iren announced his upcoming single “Anointed,” featuring Godswill Oyor, the internet ignited with excitement. Prior to the song’s release, he shared captivating images of himself being anointed with oil, which quickly went viral. This sparked a trend on social media, with many users recreating the iconic imagery, pouring oil over their heads and using captions and hashtags to celebrate the theme of being “anointed” even before the song debuted.

Watch Anointed Video here 

From Pulpit to Big Screen and YouTube

Apostle Iren isn’t just about music. In 2024, he jumped into filmmaking with “What About Us?”, a movie that hit theaters in Nigeria and pulled in over ₦24 million during its opening weekend. The film takes a look at real-life marriage issues through a biblical lens. This year, he stepped it up by dropping a YouTube-exclusive flick called “Up Next: Love,” giving folks free access to some great storytelling. With these moves, Apostle Iren is showing that ministry can go way beyond just the church.

When asked why he’s diving into the entertainment scene, his answer was spot on: “Be a part of the production, not just the consumption. As long as disciples are being raised by that platform, you should be interested in it.”

Read Also: Baby Boomers vs Millennials: The Generational Divide over Afrogospel Music

A Challenge to Creatives and Media Professionals

This is where it gets really interesting and honestly, a bit eye-opening. Apostle Iren is a full-time pastor. He runs a global church, travels to preach, is a husband and father and somehow still finds time to make music and produce movies.

If someone with that much on their plate can still create and put out high-quality work, what excuses do the rest of us, who are focused on these fields, have?

For artists, filmmakers, producers, and content creators, this should be a wake-up call. If a pastor whose main job isn’t even entertainment is driving the conversation, then it might be time for those of us who say these fields are our “passion” or “career” to step it up. Creativity is definitely a gift, but staying consistent and striving for excellence is where the real work is. For those involved in the arts, it’s important not to just sit back and relax. When leaders like Apostle Iren create top-notch work, they change the game for what Christian entertainment can be and christians shouldn’t just be consumers of entertainment but also the producers as well.

Conclusion

Apostle Emmanuel Iren’s innovative projects is setting the bar high but his story isn’t just inspiring; it’s a wake-up call for artists, media pros, and the church in general. If a busy pastor can drop music, make films, then those of us who are all about creativity should be doing even more.