Prophet Alex Twum, Head Pastor and Founder of the Word Vision Chapel International, has said he would gleefully welcome dancehall artiste Shatta Wale to minister to his church members.

The husband to gospel artiste Cecy Twum said he sees nothing wrong should a secular musician want to use his gift to minister in the church.

Corroborating a recent statement by the ‘Jennifer Lomotey’ hitmaker that before fame found him, he happily led the praises and worship session at Grace Aflame Chapel Ghana in Adabraka, Accra, where he has worshipped for over four years but today, he has to endure the curious looks of worshippers anytime he picks the microphone to lead the church, Prophet Alex Twum said it is rude for believers to act in such manner towards secular artistes.

The man of God noted that “If Shatta Wale comes to tell me God has touched his heart to sing a worship song, I’ll be so glad and allow him to minister to God’s people.” Prophet Alexander Twum told Zylofon FM.

According to him, it is no ones business to judge secular artistes since nobody is righteous on this earth. Prophet Twum revealed that Kurl Songx attended one of the church’s services and allowed him to perform to the members.

He labelled men of God fond of rebuking non-religious members of their church as immature and are rather not helping to shape the life of the artistes.

“The Bible says we shouldn’t judge so I can’t speak against the talent of any secular artiste. Most of the songs by these artistes inspire so many people because of the words in it. I don’t know why some Pastors will prevent such people from attending their church.

“When you read 1 Corinthians, it talks about the gifts from God. If Kojo Antwi should lead a worship in my church and goes ahead to compose his love songs, I see nothing wrong with it but it all depends on how the man of God in charge will be able to teach the secular artistes to know the difference. By their fruits, you shall know them. There are so many people in the church who makes others believe that they’re Holy but you’ll be surprised when you see what he or she does in private.

“If a pastor tells a member who does secular music not to help the church with his or talents, then that pastor isn’t matured enough. We’re all learning and there’s no one perfect so such Pastors should be very careful.

“One guy called Kurl Songx came to my church to minister, I allowed him to sing. If that artiste is going wayward, the best as a pastor you can do is to help correct him or her but not to condemn them.” He told SammyFlex on Zylofon FM.

This development is one that the winner of MTN Hitmaker 5 in 2016 isn’t so pleased with because those looks, he says, makes him feel like an outcast. In an interview with Showbiz on Monday, Kurl Songx said such judgmental behaviour in churches is likely to kill talents.

“I have always used my gift in the house of God. Unfortunately, since I became popular, I’ve had to endure a lot in church even when I want to serve. You get people staring at you in a way that seems to suggest that you are not holy enough to lead them.

“But sincerely, if I can’t use my gift to serve God, where else can I put it to better use? I have a strong character so I ignore such looks when they come but what if I couldn’t stand it? Won’t it drive me away from the church? And clearly, it will kill my talent and the zeal in me,” he said.

Kurl Songx is not the only one who has faced such censure from the church. There were reports about Dancehall artiste, Kaakie, who also sang in church, facing similar treatment when she started active music. Former Joy FM DJ and presenter, Rev Azigiza Jnr, has also spoken about how he was treated badly by people in church when he became born again and there are others with similar experiences.

For Kurl Songx, the church should support their members irrespective of the career path they choose. “It is only in music that people create divisions among artistes and create the impression that if you aren’t doing Gospel, then you are a property of the devil.

“I have never seen or heard of a Christian doctor or secular doctor or Christian journalist and secular journalist so why should it be so in the music sector? Are we saying that the devil gifted secular artistes their talents and not God? This division makes secular artistes appear evil and that is not the best. My gift is not from the devil and I won’t credit him for that,” he said.

Despite the “poor treatment” of secular artistes by the church and particularly from some of his church members, the Whistle artiste said he has been privileged to have a pastor who understands what he does and has been very supportive.