Emmanuel Iren

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

## 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. 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.

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.

## Career

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

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. Presently, the Celebration Church International has over 100,000 members worldwide with 30 branches: across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA.

### 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".

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. Shortly after its release, the album peaked as one of the top 10 on Apple Music.

### Filmmaking
Iren made his debut movie as an executive producer with *[[What About Us (2024 film)|What About Us]] which released nationwide on 12 July 2024.*

## Discography

### Albums

### Singles

#### As lead artist

* *Grace Changes Everything (feat [[Sinach]])*
* *Holy Ghost (feat [[Sinach]])*
* *Overcome (feat E-Daniels)*
* *Prophetic Chant (feat [[Nosa (musician)|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)*
* *Bo Ta Jor (Prinx Emmanuel feat Emmanuel Iren)*

* *Agalliao (Aigbeh Dgong ft Pastor Emmanuel Iren)* 

* *Ambience (Damilola Praiseworth ft Pastor Emmanuel Iren)*

## Bibliography

* *Leading Seeks You*
* *Purposefully*
* *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*

## Personal life
At age 24, Iren married Laju Iren in November 2014. 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. 
* In 2022, *Apostolos* was nominated as the album of the year (Kingdom Achievers Awards)
* In 2023, he was bestowed with an honorary Doctorate Degree from Myles Leadership University.

## References