Emmanuel Iren
{{Short description|Nigerian gospel artist and pastor (born 1989)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Emmanuel Iren
| image =
| alt =
| caption = Emmanuel Aniefiok Iren
| birth_name = Emmanuel Aniefiok Iren
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|12|18|df=y}}
| origin = Akwa Ibom, Nigeria
| occupation = {{Flatlist|
- Singer
- songwriter
- pastor
}}
| instrument = Vocals and drums
| years_active = 2008–present
| spouse = Laju Iren
}}
Emmanuel Aniefiok Iren (born 18 December 1989) well known as Emmanuel Iren is a Nigerian preacher, gospel singer and songwriter.{{Cite web |last=Akintomide |first=Marvellous |date=2023-06-02 |title=Nigerian Gospel Artists That Should Be On Your Radar |url=https://www.zikoko.com/pop/nigerian-gospel-artists-that-should-be-on-your-radar/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Zikoko! |language=en-US}} He is the founder of Celebration Church International (CCI), headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-07 |title=‘We must have audacity to embrace vision regardless of culture’ says Emmanuel Iren of Celebration Church International |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/we-must-have-audacity-to-embrace-vision-regardless-of-culture/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Omoleye |first=Omoruyi |title=#YNaijaChurch100: Mercy Chinwo, Banky W, Sam Adeyemi – See the 100 Most Influential People in Christian Ministry in Nigeria |work=YNaija |url=https://ynaija.com/church100-mercy-chinwo-banky-w-sam-adeyemi-see-the-100-most-influential-people-in-christian-ministry-in-nigeria/}}
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 album Apostolos: Sounds of Transition.{{Cite news |title=Emmanuel Iren Features Sinach, Others In Apostolos Album |work=Independent Newspaper |url=https://independent.ng/emmanuel-iren-features-sinach-others-in-apostolos-album/}}{{Cite web |last=Rapheal |date=2022-10-07 |title=Pastor Emmanuel Iren’s Apostolos makes waves |url=https://sunnewsonline.com/pastor-emmanuel-irens-apostolos-makes-waves/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Sun Nigeria |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-01 |title=Biography Of Apostle Emmanuel Iren |url=https://christiandiet.com.ng/biography-of-apostle-emmanuel-iren/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Christiandiet |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Biography of Apostle Emmanuel Iren |url=https://www.thenewman.org.ng/2021/01/biography-of-pastor-emmanuel-iren.html |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The New Man}}
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.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-05 |title=Meet The Convenant University Graduate Who Is The Lead Pastor Of Churches In Nigeria And Canada |url=https://nobelie.com/meet-the-convenant-university-graduate-who-is-the-lead-pastor-of-churches-in-nigeria-and-canada/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-10-28 |title=Get To Know Pastor Emmanuel Iren Of The Celebration Church |url=https://nairadiary.com/get-to-know-pastor-emmanuel-iren-of-the-celebration-church/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Naira Diary |language=en-US}}
Career
= Ministry =
In 2008, Emmanuel Iren started a Christian campus fellowship known as Triumphal Youth Fellowship as an undergraduate student in Covenant University.{{Cite news |last=Solomon |first=Elusoji |title=Emmanuel Iren Is Leading A Generation To Faith |work=Channels Television |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2022/10/01/first-class-emmanuel-iren-is-leading-a-generation-to-faith/}} The fellowship soon grew beyond the campus walls, and into a full-time ministry.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-16 |title=Celebration Church celebrates 10 years, releases documentary |url=https://editor.guardian.ng/news/celebration-church-celebrates-10-years-releases-documentary/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Nosa |first=Oke-Hortons |date=2023-05-25 |title=Paul Adefarasin, Emmanuel Iren, BJ Idowu: Meet 7 most stylish, best-dressed Nigerian pastors |url=https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/fashion/1533994-paul-adefarasin-emmanuel-iren-bolaji-idowu-4-stylish-dressed-nigerian-pastors/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Legit.ng - Nigeria news. |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Adedeji |first=Olamipo |date=2021-01-19 |title=Emmanuel Iren: The New Face of Nigerian Charismatic Movement |url=https://dailytrust.com/emmanuel-iren-the-new-face-of-nigerian-charismatic-movement/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Daily Trust |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Shuzia Blog |url=https://blog.shuzia.com/blogs/who-is-pastor-emmanuel-iren-and-how-did-he-start-up-his-ministry |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=blog.shuzia.com}} Presently, the Celebration Church International has over 100,000 members worldwide with 30 branches: across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-16 |title=Celebration Church celebrates 10 years, releases documentary |url=https://editor.guardian.ng/news/celebration-church-celebrates-10-years-releases-documentary/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News |language=en-US}}
= 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".{{Cite web |title=Odunayo Adebayo Ft. Pastor Iren - ZOE (The Life of Christ) Mp3 Download & Lyrics |url=https://nghype.com/odunayo-adebayo-ft-pastor-iren-zoe-the-life-of-christ/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=nghype.com}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Emmanuel Iren Set to Release Apostolos Album, Features Sinach, Judikay and others – THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/08/04/emmanuel-iren-set-to-release-apostolos-album-features-sinach-judikay-and-others/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=www.thisdaylive.com}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-06 |title=Emmanuel Iren drops apostolos album today |url=https://guardian.ng/news/emmanuel-iren-drops-apostolos-album-today/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-10 |title=Pastor Emmanuel Iren's Debut Album "Apostolos" |url=https://thestreetjournal.org/listen-to-pastor-emmanuel-irens-debut-album-apostolos/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=The Street Journal |language=en-US}} Shortly after its release, the album peaked as one of the top 10 on Apple Music.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-01 |title=Iren’s Apostolos debuts on Apple Music’s Top 10 |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/weekend-beats/irens-apostolos-debuts-on-apple-musics-top-10/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Faith |first=Adeoye |date=2022-10-01 |title=Apostolos becomes first Christian album to hit top 10 chart since 2021 |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/apostolos-becomes-first-christian-album-to-hit-top-10-chart-since-2021/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Tribune Online |language=en-GB}}
= Filmmaking =
Iren made his debut movie as an executive producer with ''What About Us which released nationwide on 12 July 2024.{{Cite web |last=Sanusi |first=Deborah |date=2024-07-06 |title=Why I started making movies, pastor Emmanuel Iren reveals |url=https://punchng.com/why-i-started-making-movies-pastor-emmanuel-iren-reveals/ |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Okeke-Korieocha |first=Ifeoma |date=2024-07-13 |title='What About Us' movie explores complexities of marriage through the lens of a couple |url=https://businessday.ng/bd-weekender/article/what-about-us-movie-explores-complexities-of-marriage-through-the-lens-of-two-couples/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}}
Discography
= Albums =
= 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)
== As featured artist ==
- Zoe (Odunayo Adebayo feat Emmanuel Iren){{Cite web |date=2022-08-05 |title=Odunayo Adebayo ft Pastor Iren - Zoe |url=https://www.naijamusic.com.ng/odunayo-adebayo-ft-pastor-iren-zoe/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=NaijaMusic |language=en-US}}
- Bo Ta Jor (Prinx Emmanuel feat Emmanuel Iren){{Cite web |date=2023-05-23 |title=Prinx Emmanuel – Bo Ta Joor Ft. Pastor Emmanuel Iren |url=https://www.six9ja.com/prinx-emmanuel-bo-ta-joor-ft-pastor-emmanuel-iren/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Six9ja |language=en}}
- Agalliao (Aigbeh Dgong ft Pastor Emmanuel Iren)
- Ambience (Damilola Praiseworth ft Pastor Emmanuel Iren)
Bibliography
- Leading Seeks You{{Cite web |title=Leading Seeks You |url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/94311956-leading-seeks-you |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Goodreads |language=en}}
- Purposefully{{Cite web |title=Emmanuel Iren Books. Amazon.com |url=https://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Store-Emmanuel-Iren/s?rh=n:133140011,p_27:Emmanuel+Iren |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=www.amazon.com |language=en-us}}
- Am I Being Fooled? FAQs about God, the Bible and Jesus Christ
- Saving Grace
- LoveCode
- Come To Me Bible Book
- Pray Book: Strategies for Building a Prayer Life{{Cite web |title=Pray Book: Biblical Strategy for Building a Prayer Life |URL=https://www.amazon.com/Pray-Book-Biblical-Strategy-Building/dp/9787848962/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Amazon |language=en}}
Personal life
At age 24, Iren married Laju Iren in November 2014.{{Cite web |last=Rapheal |date=2020-11-13 |title=Why I married early at 24 –Emmanuel Iren, songwriter/cleric |url=https://sunnewsonline.com/why-i-married-early-at-24-emmanuel-iren-songwriter-cleric/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Sun Nigeria |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2016-11-01 |title=My experience in my Marriage of two years-Laju Iren |url=https://www.herald.ng/my-experience-from-my-marriage-of-two-years/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website= |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-04-04 |title=Marriage and ministry - building a vision with someone who believes in it |url=https://editor.guardian.ng/features/marriage-and-ministry-building-a-vision-with-someone-who-believes-in-it/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News |language=en-US}} 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. {{Cite web |last=Okafor |first=Chinedu |date=2021-04-05 |title=#YNaijaChurch100: Bishop Kukah, Sinach, Street Church...Here are the 100 Most Influential Nigerians in Church » YNaija |url=https://ynaija.com/ynaijachurch100-bishop-kukah-sinach-street-church-here-are-the-100-most-influential-nigerians-in-church/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=YNaija |language=en-GB}}
- In 2022, Apostolos was nominated as the album of the year (Kingdom Achievers Awards){{Cite web |date=2022-11-17 |title=Full List Of The Kingdom Achievers Award Nominees. |url=https://kingdomboiz.com/full-list-of-the-kingdom-achievers-award-nominees/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Kingdomboiz |language=en-US}}
- In 2023, he was bestowed with an honorary Doctorate Degree from Myles Leadership University.{{Cite web |last=Dekolo |first=Jolomi |date=2023-10-11 |title=Pastor Emmanuel Iren Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree From Myles Leadership University. |URL=https://www.selahafrik.com/2023/10/emmanuel-iren-receives-award/amp/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=SelahAfrik |language=en-GB}}