Worship House lead pastor and musician Wilson Bugembe has responded to critics objecting to his performing in bars and secular concerts, despite his pastoral role.
Pastor Wilson Bugembe is one of the pastors who do not segregate the secular artists, as he hangs out with them and performs at their shows. He attributes this to his street background, which he believes has made him a likable figure, particularly among young people and celebrities who can relate to his experiences.
This has, however, attracted criticism from fellow pastors and gospel artists who question his calling because of the way he relates with the non-born-again. While speaking to a group of gospel artists gathered at a conference at UCC, Bugembe became emotional as he condemned those who judge him without knowing his journey.
The ‘Wanaaza’ hitmaker revealed he has faced harsh criticism from people who are unaware that he has paid a significant price to reach his current position.
He reflected on how he fasted, prayed, slept hungry, and walked from Makerere to Seguku prayer mountain, seeking God. It was through this resilience and suffering that God gave him his pastoral calling and saved him from suffering.
God continues to speak to people in a manner that others may not understand. Do not insult what you do not understand… You judge from the outside, unaware that the stage you criticize me for stepping onto is one where I have an anointing and grace that I have toiled for many years to achieve. For me, even if you insult me on social media, I will not reply to you because you didn’t call me to serve the Lord. Everything I have is a result of prayer and fasting.
Even if I explain why I attended or performed at some shows for the whole day, you still won’t understand. Because God sent me there, I’m not apologetic to anyone but the person who sent me. When the grace to do so runs out, I will not go there. But as long as God tells me to go, I will keep going,” he said.
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Pastor Bugembe revealed he has a group of young people called the ‘Gate Keepers’ everywhere across the globe, who are always praying for him. They are in unison prayer from the time he starts his journey, when he steps on stage, and up to when he gets off. This, he says, has shielded him from the potential harm that may occur at these secular concerts.
“I always call my prayer partners and let them know. They are always on an altar in prayer. This helps me exit the stage without any harm. I’m covered in prayer, I walk in prayer, and I also breathe in prayer. However, my dress code and style may not reveal that I’m a man of prayer. This is because I want to bring people to faith. I do not go on those stages without prayers,” he said.
