Accept born-again secular acts —Chemphe
IT takes self-discipline for a born-again secular artiste to switch camp to become a Gospel musician and Afrobeats act Chemphe shares this sentiment.
So, when the new found family treat such artistes with contempt and they feel they don’t belong, it is very easy for them to backslide and quickly go back to their old lifestyle.
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But Chemphe, a born-again secular musician, is urging the Gospel fraternity to embrace and help them integrate into their fold.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, Chemphe, whose real name Henry Agyekum said, most times, secular musicians who find Christ beat a retreat because they do not feel welcomed.
“The fact that you are not accepted as a gospel musician because you were not originally one of them is enough to make you return to the world. When you don’t get shows to play at churches or gospel related events, and you have bills to pay, the probability of you going back to secular is very high.
Gospel music not guarantee to heaven — Chemphe
“I know some musicians who are going through such challenges because our gospel colleagues who are supposed to show them the way and take them in are not doing so. It is about time Gospel musicians show love to such secular musicians who have found Christ and have decided to live their lives for Him.
“In my case, apart from fully preparing myself to serve the Lord no matter what, I was fortunate to know a lot of Gospel musicians who were already my friends. The likes of KODA, Akesse Brempong and Joel Mettle were very supportive when I decided to go gospel,” he said.
Asked what will make him go back to the world after almost a decade of giving his life to Christ, Chemphe said he does not see that happening.
“Nothing will make me go back to the world because I know where I am heading. I don’t look at what people say about me but the message God has for me. It might be tough at the beginning but the end is always the best. It is a great feeling to have that good relationship with God,” he revealed.
Talking about having collaborations with secular artistes, Chemphe, who has released gospel songs like Medo Yesu, Freedom and Conqueror, said he does not have any problem with that.
“I know most of these secular artistes who are very good Christians. The fact that they sing secular songs does not mean they are bad people. But before I feature on a song, I must first listen to it and decide whether or not to be part of it,” he said.
Before giving his life to Christ, Chemphe, who is currently a pastor and worships with Empowerment Worship Centre, had songs like Number One, Why You Dey Treat Am Bad and Left Over.