Five Nollywood Celebrities That Have Embraced The Pulpit

Quite a number of entertainers have said that they consider what they do as a ‘calling’ of sorts. Through their acting prowess, they have been able to pass messages to their followers. In recent times, some of these actors have left the limelight by heeding the voice of God, thereby becoming pastors of various ministries.

Some of these celebrities that have embraced the pulpit are Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Benson, Zach Orji, Charles Okafor, Eucharia Anunobi Ekwu and Majid Michel.

Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Benson:

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The ever adorable Nollywood veteran, populaly known as Liz Benson is a Nigerian Actress, Television Personality, Evangelist and a Philanthropist. She was born in the 60s in Etinawa, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Liz Benson , used to be the charming actress of many of her fans in Nigeria and beyond. Her fascinating portrayal of her roles endeared her to movie lovers and she was regarded as one of the biggest actresses in the country.

Suddenly, Benson stopped appearing in movies and her fans were shock to learn that she had become a pastor. She reportedly got ordained as an Evangelist at the Rainbow Christian Assembly Church in Warri, Delta State. Till date, she co-pastors the church with her husband, Bishop Great Ameye.

In an interview she said, “I did not completely quit acting. I only took a back seat to sort out my spiritual life and I give God the glory for His hands on my life and for blessing me with a wonderful husband, who has made the home comfortable for me.

“I am also fulfilled serving people and changing lives. It may seem that I took a back seat, but the calling of God is such that one would have to surrender completely and allow Him to lead one on.”

Zack Orji

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Zack Orji born in Libreville, Gabon, in the 60s, is a Nigerian actor, director, producer and filmmaker. Orji is a graduate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Having grown up in Cameroon, Benin and Togo, he speaks both English and French fluently. His first movie was in 1991, and was entitled ‘Unforgiven Sin.’

Zack is a very talented and creative actor. He is a Film-maker, Producer, Director, Entreprenuer and a Philanthropist. He has starred in more than 250 movies and mostly acted the role of a pastor, priest, caring father, good father-in-law and other roles.

Orji said he has been a Reverend since 2013. “I’m also an ordained Reverend, a Pastor so I get invitations to minister in different churches both within and outside Nigeria,” revealed the veteran actor.

Charles Okafor

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Charles Okafor is a veteran Nollywood actor, who has for a long time been absent from acting. He gave up acting totally, got ordained as a Pastor and since then focused on ‘heavenly race.

He admitted his calling when he said, “Yes, I have been ordained a pastor. As needful as the social media is, they bring up many scandals. So it is a good thing that my name is not soiled on the Internet.

“I am still an actor but a time comes when one has to evaluate one’s steps. I had to ask myself some fundamental questions. I have done a lot of acting and gained enough popularity. I found the need to embark on advocacy acting and decided to be critical. This informed my being selective about the kind of scripts I accept.

“Also, my spirituality is a factor. I have been a Christian for 21 years and there are things I cannot be seen doing anymore. When scripts come and I see that they don’t agree with my faith, I respectfully turn them down. The consequence is that I lose money but I am happier this way.”

Eucharia Anunobi Ekwu

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She is a multiple-award winning actress, model, ordained preacher, conference speaker, life coach, social reformer, writer and publisher.

The Imo State born actress is best known for her role in the movie Abuja Connection. She is also known as one of Nollywood’s ‘bad girls’ because of the role she played in movies like Glamour Girls. obviously, that explained why many were surprised when she was ordained as an evangelist at the Fresh Oil International Ministries. The veteran actress then stopped her provocative dressing and became heavily involved in church activities.

However, Eucharia, still appears in movies even after being ordained as pastor. She stated that her new calling would not stop her from taking any role.

She said, “Even as a pastor, I can still act a movie like Glamour Girls because my individuality is different from whatever character I portray in a movie. I always tell people that undue exposure of the body that does not add to the story does not make sense. I watch some movies where people bare skin for no plausible reason.

“Being a pastor does not stop me from acting any role, as long as there is no undue exposure of my body. I gave my life to Christ in 1997; so, even at the peak of my career, I was a born again.”

Majid Michel

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He is Ghanaian actor and a pastor. Gifted and daring, he had played several exotic roles before he became a ‘Servant of God.’ Acting has now been relegated to the background since he started working in God’s vineyard.

Michel is now a passionate preacher who regularly shares sermons and motivational quotes on his Instagram page.
To show his commitment to his calling, Michel said that he would no longer take roles that required him to kiss on set.