Banky W becomes ordained pastor in US

Nigerian singer Olubankole “Banky W” Wellington has revealed that he is now an ordained pastor in the United States (US), two years after relocating there with his family.

The 45-year-old announced it in a statement he posted on his Instagram page on Thursday. He said he serves as Associate Pastor and Global Ambassador at Union Church, a non-denominational Christian church with multiple campuses across the US. 

Pastors Stephen and Zai Chandler lead the church. Banky W also revealed that he works as a teacher and leader at Union College.

Reflecting on his new roles, the singer and entrepreneur recalled a joke he once made about whether the “P” in his nickname, P.Banks, stood for professor or pastor.

He said: “Somewhere along the way, I realised that I was asking God to choose between things He had never asked me to separate. It wasn’t either/or. It was all of the above. Turns out, God wasn’t trying to put me in a box. He was expanding my assignment. So yes, I’m still a filmmaker, musician, and entrepreneur. But somehow, by the grace of God, I’m also a Pastor and a Professor.

“Constantly travelling back and forth between Lagos and the DMV isn’t always easy. But has it been worth it? Absolutely. Because I now have the privilege of serving as an Associate Pastor and Global Ambassador at Union Church, and as a teacher and leader at Union College. And I get to do it under the extraordinary leadership of Stephen Chandler and Zai Chandler.”

Election

Banky W said he was thankful for the positive influence the Chandlers had on his personal life, spiritual growth, family and future.

“See, I never wanted to be put in a box. But little did I know that while I was busy trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, God was already writing a story I couldn’t have imagined”, he said.

Banky W also spoke about the personal impact of his defeat in the 2023 elections and how the experience eventually drew him towards pastoral ministry.

He contested the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but lost to the Labour Party’s Thaddeus Attah.

According to him, the loss left him emotionally shattered and pushed him to turn to God for direction. He added that after the election defeat, he struggled to determine whether to pursue a future in politics, ministry, entertainment or business.

He noted, “In 2023 I lost an election. And while the experience inspired me in many ways, it also broke my heart into a million little pieces. When the dust settled, I took those pieces back to God. And I surrendered.

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“I asked Him, “What’s next? What’s Your will for my life? Is it leadership or ministry? Entertainment or business? Marketplace or ministry?”

“A continued journey’

Reflecting on his first year as a pastor, Banky W said that an apparent ending could instead be God’s way of beginning a new chapter in someone’s life.

Although the election result fell short of his expectations, the actor said he trusted God’s purpose for his life would be greater than anything he had envisioned.

“And the beautiful thing is, He’s still writing. There’s more to come on the business, film, and music fronts (stay tuned 99), but today, I want to pause and say thank you, Jesus.

“For the doors You open and the ones You close. For the people you bring into my life and the purpose you reveal, one piece of the puzzle at a time. One year down. A lifetime of purpose ahead. Please wish me a happy 1st Unionversary.”