Tag: Pastor Iren

Pastor Iren Emmanuel has emphasised the need for bravery and assertiveness, particularly among individuals raised in traditional African homes where “home training” can sometimes foster timidity and fear of confrontation.

In a recent video message, Emmanuel highlighted the importance of unlearning habits such as suppressing curiosity and avoiding difficult conversations, noting that these patterns can hinder personal growth and success.

He encouraged people to speak up for themselves, embrace assertiveness, and engage in open dialogue—even when it involves uncomfortable or confrontational situations.

Emmanuel also urged parents to raise children who are confident in expressing their opinions and standing up for themselves, rather than blindly following societal expectations.

Read Also: Pastor Iren announces plans to launch one of Lagos’ biggest auditoriums April

He said: “One thing you must master is bravery especially if you come from an African home. There is a type of training called home training. It is a school in intimidation and timidity. They have beaten away your curiosity. When you ask honest questions and you were flogged for it. When they gave you instructions and you asked why, and you were shunned. Those are the things you need to unlearn to be a success in life.

“You cannot be a success if you are not curious. Learn to speak up for yourselves. Some people are in relationships that should have broken, but it is still lingering because they don’t know how to talk. You must learn to speak up for yourself, practice it, learn it. If you don’t learn it, you will be a bad spouse. Sit and have difficult conversations and negotiate your way out. Don’t avoid confrontations. Teach your children to sit down and discuss things they don’t agree with you on. To raise anybody who’ll be a valuable contributor in the society, they must learn to stand out and not play to the bandwagon”.

Founder of Celebration Church International, Pastor Emmanuel Iren, has made a bold foray into the film industry with his debut movie, “What About Us?” set to premiere on July 12.

In an interview with TVC, Iren revealed his motivation for venturing into cinema, citing a desire to spread God’s word and shape culture through diverse mediums.

He said: “There is a cultural expectation from pastors. It’s an ironic and contradictory expectation. You even hear some banter out there when people tell men of God, ‘Go and get a real job.’ And when we actually do, they are now asking, ‘Why?’

“Besides that, I just really believe in deploying all my gifts and being the best I can. If God gave me gifts, there must be a reason for it. The short answer is that I’m doing it because I can.

“So many things informed the movie. I just want creative ways to tell true stories. It is obvious that this is a faith-based movie at best, but this is a proper real-life movie”.

Iren said his inspiration for the film was sparked by his children’s exposure to various influences through television, prompting him to create content that aligns with his values.

“There are other ulterior motives, and this is one: my children have a bit of an accent, and it’s not from us. So the reality is that in every home, there are three parents: the father, the mother, and the television.

“So instead of crying and whining about it, be a part of the culture-shaping process. Be a part of the production, not just the consumption”, he said. 

With multiple projects in the works, Iren shared his mantra for managing his responsibilities, in his words: “I run with a mantra that ‘create a space for everything and put everything in a space’ and you’ll be amazed at how much your life can be organised.

“For instance, for this shoot, the story is my idea, but for the execution, I think I was on set only twice or three times. I’m even more effective than people know.

Read Also: Pastor Iren, wife welcome first son

“We’re just releasing this one, but this is one of three movies I shot last year alone, and that’s side by side with the album and other things that I do.”

He emphasised the importance of churches embracing different approaches to raise disciples, as long as the platform aligns with their message.

“There is an aspect to this (Christian movies) that is prophetic, and I’ll just say that any church that is concerned with culture formation has to go to the place where that culture formation happens.

“Don’t be stereotypical, because when God said, ‘Go ye into all the world,’ he was specific about the message, not necessarily the method. As long as disciples are being raised by that platform, you should be interested in it”, he added.