Emmanuel Iren

Nigerian gospel artist and pastor (born 1989)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • pastor
Instrument(s)Vocals and drumsYears active2008–presentSpouse(s)Laju Iren
Musical artist

Emmanuel Aniefiok Iren (born 18 December 1989) well known as Emmanuel Iren is a Nigerian preacher, gospel singer and songwriter.[1] He is the founder of Celebration Church International (CCI), headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.[2][3]

As part of his music career, he is the President of Outburst Music Group, a gospel music band formed out of the church choir for which he has written fourteen songs across the albums Kerygma released in 2017 and Octane released in 2020. He also wrote the band's most recent single "Light Up The Way" which featured the gospel artist Eben. In 2022, he released his debut album Apostolos: Sounds of Transition.[4][5]

Early life and education

Iren was born on 18 December 1989 and hails from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He attained his primary education from Saint Bernadettes Nursery and Primary School in Ipaja, Lagos.[6] From there, he moved to Queen's Choice Nursery and Primary School College in Ikotun, Lagos and later attended Doregos Private Academy where he acquired his secondary education.[7]

In 2011, he obtained a bachelor's degree in Building Technology from Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.[8][9]

Career

Ministry

In 2008, Emmanuel Iren started a Christian campus fellowship known as Triumphal Youth Fellowship as an undergraduate student in Covenant University.[10] The fellowship soon grew beyond the campus walls, and into a full-time ministry.[11][12]

On 11 November 2012, the Life Triumphal Church was opened in Lagos. Two years after, in 2014, it was renamed the Celebration Church International, also known as CCI.[13][14] Presently, the Celebration Church International has over 15,000 members worldwide with 30 branches: across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA.[15]

Music career

Emmanuel Iren debuted his first album Kerygma in 2017 with the Outburst Music Group. In 2021, he was featured by Nigerian gospel artiste Odunayo Adebayo in the hit song "Zoe".[16]

In August 2022, he announced the release of his second album Apostolos: Voice of Transition, which comprised 13 tracks including "Overcome", "In Your Name", "Holy Ghost" and "Glory". The album featured other gospel artistes like Sinach, Nosa and Judikay.[17][18][19] Shortly after its release, the album peaked as one of the top 10 on Apple Music.[20][21]

Filmmaking

Iren made his directoral debut with What About Us which released nationwide on 12 July 2024.[22][23]

Discography

Albums

Year of Release Title Details Ref
2018 Kerygma

(feat Outburst Music Group)

  • Recording Type: Live
  • No. of Tracks: 15
  • Format: Digital Download, Streaming
 [24]
2021 Prophetic Chant (Live)

(feat Nosa)

  • Recording Type: Live
  • Format: Digital Download, Streaming
 [25]
2022 Apostolos: (Sounds of Transition)
  • Recording Type: Live
  • No. of Tracks: 13
  • Format: Digital Download, Streaming
 [26][27]
2023 Agalliao: (ft Aigbeh D'gong)
  • Recording Type: Live
  • Format: Digital Download, Streaming
 [28]

Singles

As lead artist

  • Grace Changes Everything (feat Sinach)
  • Holy Ghost (feat Sinach)
  • Overcome (feat E-Daniels)
  • Prophetic Chant (feat Nosa)
  • Fire On My Altar
  • Power in Abundance (feat Bajulaye Victor)
  • The Glory (feat Outburst Music Group)
  • Yes To Your Will
  • In Your name (feat Judikay)
  • The Glory of the Lord reveals
  • Agalliao (feat Nathaniel Bassey)
  • Agbara Olorun po (feat Yetunde Are)
  • Zoe (Odunayo Adebayo feat Emmanuel Iren)[29]
  • Bo Ta Jor (Prinx Emmanuel feat Emmanuel Iren)[30]
  • Agalliao (Aigbeh Dgong ft Pastor Emmanuel Iren)
  • Ambience (Damilola Praiseworth ft Pastor Emmanuel Iren)

Bibliography

  • Leading Seeks You[31]
  • Purposefully[32]
  • Am I Being Fooled? FAQs about God, the Bible and Jesus Christ
  • Saving Grace
  • Come To Me Bible Book
  • Pray Book: Strategies for Building a Prayer Life[33]

Personal life

At age 24, Iren married Laju Iren in November 2014.[34][35][36] They have three daughters and one son.

Recognition

  • In 2021, he was mentioned in YNaija Magazine among the 100 most influential people in ministry in Nigeria.[3] [37]
  • In 2022, Apostolos was nominated as the album of the year (Kingdom Achievers Awards)[38]
  • In 2023, he was bestowed with an honorary Doctorate Degree from Myles Leadership University.[39]

References

  1. ^ Akintomide, Marvellous (2023-06-02). "Nigerian Gospel Artists That Should Be On Your Radar". Zikoko!. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  2. ^ "'We must have audacity to embrace vision regardless of culture' says Emmanuel Iren of Celebration Church International". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2020-11-07. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  3. ^ a b Omoleye, Omoruyi. "#YNaijaChurch100: Mercy Chinwo, Banky W, Sam Adeyemi – See the 100 Most Influential People in Christian Ministry in Nigeria". YNaija.
  4. ^ "Emmanuel Iren Features Sinach, Others In Apostolos Album". Independent Newspaper.
  5. ^ Rapheal (2022-10-07). "Pastor Emmanuel Iren's Apostolos makes waves". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  6. ^ "Biography Of Apostle Emmanuel Iren". Christiandiet. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  7. ^ "Biography of Apostle Emmanuel Iren". The New Man. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  8. ^ "Meet The Convenant University Graduate Who Is The Lead Pastor Of Churches In Nigeria And Canada". 2020-11-05. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  9. ^ "Get To Know Pastor Emmanuel Iren Of The Celebration Church". Naira Diary. 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  10. ^ Solomon, Elusoji. "Emmanuel Iren Is Leading A Generation To Faith". Channels Television.
  11. ^ "Celebration Church celebrates 10 years, releases documentary". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2022-11-16. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  12. ^ Nosa, Oke-Hortons (2023-05-25). "Paul Adefarasin, Emmanuel Iren, BJ Idowu: Meet 7 most stylish, best-dressed Nigerian pastors". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  13. ^ Adedeji, Olamipo (2021-01-19). "Emmanuel Iren: The New Face of Nigerian Charismatic Movement". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  14. ^ "Shuzia Blog". blog.shuzia.com. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  15. ^ "Celebration Church celebrates 10 years, releases documentary". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2022-11-16. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  16. ^ "Odunayo Adebayo Ft. Pastor Iren - ZOE (The Life of Christ) Mp3 Download & Lyrics". nghype.com. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  17. ^ "Emmanuel Iren Set to Release Apostolos Album, Features Sinach, Judikay and others – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  18. ^ "Emmanuel Iren drops apostolos album today". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2022-08-06. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  19. ^ "Pastor Emmanuel Iren's Debut Album "Apostolos"". The Street Journal. 2022-08-10. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  20. ^ "Iren's Apostolos debuts on Apple Music's Top 10". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2022-10-01. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  21. ^ Faith, Adeoye (2022-10-01). "Apostolos becomes first Christian album to hit top 10 chart since 2021". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  22. ^ Sanusi, Deborah (2024-07-06). "Why I started making movies, pastor Emmanuel Iren reveals". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
  23. ^ Okeke-Korieocha, Ifeoma (2024-07-13). "'What About Us' movie explores complexities of marriage through the lens of a couple". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  24. ^ Akindele, Bolu (2018-01-17). "[The Church Blog] Introducing Kerygma: The new sound of Lyrical Theology » YNaija". YNaija. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  25. ^ "Pastor Emmanuel Iren ft Nosa - Prophetic Chant (Live)". September 14, 2021.
  26. ^ "Pastor Emmanuel Iren releases his debut album 'Apostolos'". Pulse Nigeria. 2022-08-08. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  27. ^ "Listen To Pastor Emmanuel Iren's Debut Album "Apostolos"". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2022-08-10. Archived from the original on 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  28. ^ "Pastor Emmanuel Iren ft Aigbeh D'gong - Agalliao". October 6, 2023.
  29. ^ "Odunayo Adebayo ft Pastor Iren - Zoe". NaijaMusic. 2022-08-05. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  30. ^ "Prinx Emmanuel – Bo Ta Joor Ft. Pastor Emmanuel Iren". Six9ja. 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  31. ^ "Leading Seeks You". Goodreads. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  32. ^ "Emmanuel Iren Books. Amazon.com". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  33. ^ "Pray Book: Biblical Strategy for Building a Prayer Life". Amazon. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  34. ^ Rapheal (2020-11-13). "Why I married early at 24 –Emmanuel Iren, songwriter/cleric". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  35. ^ "My experience in my Marriage of two years-Laju Iren". 2016-11-01. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  36. ^ "Marriage and ministry - building a vision with someone who believes in it". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2022-04-04. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  37. ^ Okafor, Chinedu (2021-04-05). "#YNaijaChurch100: Bishop Kukah, Sinach, Street Church...Here are the 100 Most Influential Nigerians in Church » YNaija". YNaija. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  38. ^ "Full List Of The Kingdom Achievers Award Nominees". Kingdomboiz. 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  39. ^ Dekolo, Jolomi (2023-10-11). "Pastor Emmanuel Iren Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree From Myles Leadership University". SelahAfrik. Retrieved 2024-03-25.