#WithChude

Pastors Emmanuel and Laju Iren are a gospel power couple. They are one of the most influential pastors for the Gen Z generation and one of Nigeria’s most influential gospel figures today. And this year marks 10 years of their marriage. 

Laju says she is a fan of our work here at #WithChude, but I told her I am a bigger fan of hers. She is a pioneer - pushing the boundaries of gospel content from Nigeria. Her films have been on Amazon Prime, she has built a solid community on YouTube, and she has built a powerful technology-driven independent distributor for her films, making tens of millions in the process. 

This is a woman fully aware of her place and power in the world today.

We talk about how she and her husband have built their marriage - struggling with how to communicate at first, but learning how to do it. She says her husband may not be the kind that does her breakfast in the morning, but he is her biggest champion.

She tells me practically how she manages her work as a filmmaker, her calling as a pastor (and a pastor’s wife) and the not-small task of raising four children. She says - do not be deceived, she gets a lot of help. Her honesty is striking. 

She tells me how she learnt to separate God’s word from her own peculiar experiences - the first cannot be moved, but the second depends on your life and circumstances and should not be imposed on others. 

I ask for her response to those who accuse them of running a business while being pastors, I ask her if they have any regrets for the times they have ‘clapped back’ at critics on social media and we talk about “the darkness in the world today.” 

Ah, this conversation was sweet. Too many shekere moments. She is a delight.