How I get inspiration for my songs – Theophilus Sunday

Theophilus Sunday isn’t just a singer; he’s a devoted worship leader at 1Spirit, a ministry dedicated to preparing the church for the second coming of Jesus Christ. His worship style is a potent blend of contemporary and traditional elements, creating an atmosphere of God’s divine presence.

Sunday’s musical fusion, seamlessly marrying traditional Igala melodies with modern beats, delivers a culturally unique artistic expression. It’s a sound that resonates deeply within the Igala tribe in Nigeria.

Reflecting on his journey from a drummer and choir member to a music leader and pastor, Sunday attributes his success solely to God. He recalls the pivotal moment of his spiritual connection to music and God, inspired by watching a preacher sing on television as a young boy. Touched by the worship, he made a solemn vow to God not to sell his tracks. “I could remember back when I was a boy, I was up at night watching a preacher sing, and smitten in worship, I promised God not to sell my tracks,” he recounted.

Interestingly, Sunday didn’t harbor childhood dreams of becoming a musician; instead, he discovered his love and talent for singing and drumming at an early age. He began as a singer who had a deeper passion for drumming and humbly served as a choir member and member of 1Spirit. “I started music as a singer who loved drumming more. I was being led for a large part of my life as a choir member or even a member of 1Spirit,” he explained.

As the team leader of 1Spirit and the music director of his home church, Peculiar Church of Glory, Sunday emphasizes that 1Spirit isn’t primarily a music ministry. It’s a divine calling to witness the church’s purity and spotlessness, unburdened by imperfections. The music arm of 1Spirit serves as a divine lure to align the church with God’s purpose. “To start with, I’ve reiterated over and over that 1Spirit is not a music ministry. 1Spirit is a burden in the heart of the father to see that the church is married to him, pure and spotless without wrinkles. The musical arm of 1Spirit is the trappings of God placed in us as a bait to call the church into this burden of God,” he affirmed.

Recalling his formative years, Sunday shared that he faced challenges in his previous church, UEC, due to his unconventional lifestyle and ministry. He left the church after receiving divine guidance to seek spiritual guidance elsewhere. “Well, for me…my style of dress and way of life as a Christian youth with exuberances betrayed me at UEC, being an orthodox church…I won’t say I had an issue with the church; I must say that it was my unconventional way of life and ministry that made me not stay long there, coupled with God’s direction for spiritual parenting…Many challenges. I tell you. If you travel frequently, you should be able to relate…God’s been helping,” he admitted.

Despite the constraints that come with the spotlight, Sunday maintains his connections with his pre-fame friends, many of whom are part of his ministry. “I loved being as casual as possible, putting on my shorts, living so fly, just enjoying God; at least the life in the spirit affords us that luxury. However, being in the open has constrained me of a whole lot of things, as I mentioned earlier…Yes, yes! As a matter of fact, most of them are in the ministry,” he affirmed.