The Winlos: Preachers in Performance, Prophets on Set—How Nigeria’s Most Influential Christian Drama Duo Are Shaping Global Faith Through Film

The Winlos

From church drama nights to international film festivals, Anwinli and Ohis Ojeikere—better known as The Winlos—have evolved from skit makers into a prophetic force in Christian entertainment. Renowned for their unique blend of humor, theology, and visual storytelling, the couple’s breakout skit God Told Me To Marry You gained global attention with millions of views and multilingual translations.

Today, their influence spans continents, and their latest film, Prophet Suddenly 3 (The Music Minister), is stirring heartfelt conversations about sanctity, purpose, and spiritual accountability in ministry.

In this exclusive interview with Ediale Kingsley, The Winlos open up about the divine burden behind the new film, the backlash they’ve faced, and how they navigate their dual callings—as pastors, storytellers, and prophetic voices for a generation hungry for truth wrapped in relevance.

Excerpt:

Can you tell us the inspiration behind this new movie PROPHET SUDDENLY 3 centered on a music minister? What specific burden led you to tell this story?

The inspiration came from a divine message God gave us about the urgent need for balance, sanctification, and alignment with His will in ministry. We’ve seen a rise in extremes—rebellion, greed, and competition—all rooted in the flesh. While the film focuses on the music ministry, it speaks to all expressions of ministry within the body of Christ.

How much of the story was inspired by real-life experiences you’ve seen or encountered in ministry?

Parts of the story were drawn from my personal experiences with music ministers and church leadership, while others were inspired by situations I’ve observed from a distance. However, the core corrections and message of the film are grounded in Scripture.

The movie touches on the conflict between the altar and the stage—how did you approach balancing entertainment and spiritual truth in this project?

We started by ensuring the scenarios were realistic and deeply relatable so that viewers could connect emotionally and intellectually. Each character was intentionally crafted to reflect what a Christian movie should offer holistically. The lead character, for instance, is a minister genuinely called by God but driven by fame, money, and self-interest. To balance this, we incorporated weighty teachings and strong scriptural rebukes delivered through men of God in the film.

There’s been a lot of online debate recently about music ministers charging to minister—did that conversation influence any part of the script, or was the timing purely coincidental?

Interestingly, the message behind the film was received as far back as October last year, and we began developing the story in November. So while I’m aware of the current debate, the script was not a reaction to it. However, the recent discourse has definitely reinforced the film’s message and relevance.

What message are you hoping music ministers and church leaders will take away from this film?

We hope they come away with a renewed understanding that ministry is about Christ and His message—it is not a business or a means for personal gain. Every minister must stay aligned with God’s calling and motive. For music ministers specifically, it’s a call to re-examine their purpose, rediscover the value of service within the local assembly, and embrace spiritual accountability and Fatherhood. Church leaders, in turn, must honor and steward the grace God has placed on music ministers.

Would you say this movie is a warning, a mirror, or a call to repentance—or all three?

It is all three. It serves as a warning that God is examining the hearts and motives of those in ministry. It is a mirror, offering a tool for honest reflection and evaluation. And it is a call to repentance—so that grace can be found and alignment restored.

Let’s talk about production—what were some unique challenges you faced bringing this particular story to life on screen?

One significant challenge was filming across different countries, which meant working with various production teams. Coordinating schedules, maintaining continuity, and aligning on creative vision across borders required a lot of planning, attention to details, and prayers.

Did you work with any real-life music ministers in preparing for the movie, perhaps for authenticity or mentorship?

Yes, I did work with real-life music ministers in preparing for the movie, but it wasn’t solely for the sake of authenticity. The lead actor (Reverend Ohis Ojeikere), although he plays the role of a music minister in the film, is not one in real life. However, I was led by the Holy Spirit to involve Pastor Lawrence Oyor and Prophet Joel Ogebe in the project. Both are passionate preachers of the gospel who also operate strongly in music ministry.

Their involvement wasn’t primarily because of their musical backgrounds, but because I had a strong conviction that they were the right vessels for what God wanted to do through this movie. Their spiritual depth and authenticity brought a unique atmosphere to the film, and I believe viewers will not just watch their performances but genuinely encounter the presence of God through them. It was all by divine leading, and I remain grateful for their willingness to be a part of the vision.

You’ve tackled delicate topics before—Prophet Suddenly, for example, caused quite a stir. Looking back, how did you handle the backlash from fake prophets and their followers?

When God gives a man an assignment, He also provides the grace and strength needed to carry it out. Prophet Suddenly was a project birthed from a place of obedience, and I was fully aware that tackling such a sensitive and spiritually charged subject might stir reactions, both positive and negative.

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Indeed, there was backlash from certain individuals, especially from those who felt personally targeted, including some who may have been aligned with practices the movie sought to expose. The criticism came in different forms, online comments, private messages, and even subtle resistance but I was not discouraged. I had peace in my spirit because I knew the message was evangelical in nature and rooted in truth.

Rather than dwelling on the opposition, I chose to focus on the overwhelming testimonies that poured in, lives transformed, minds renewed, deliverances that took place, and a deeper hunger for God ignited in many hearts. These outcomes reminded me that the assignment was not in vain. The backlash honestly accounted for just a small fraction, perhaps 1% of the overall feedback. The remaining 99% revealed a powerful move of God, and for that, I give Him all the glory.

At the end of the day, my desire is always to obey God, speak His truth in love, and trust Him with the results.

What kept you going in the face of those attacks, and did that experience shape how you approached this new project?

What truly kept me going in the face of those attacks was the assurance that I was walking in obedience to God.

When you know that what you’re doing is Spirit-led, it gives you an inner strength that human approval or criticism cannot shake. There were moments when the backlash was intense and even hurtful, but in those moments, I leaned heavily on prayer, the Word of God, and the encouragement of a few trusted voices around me.

I also kept reminding myself that ministry, even through film is not always going to be comfortable or widely accepted. Jesus Himself was misunderstood, opposed, and even hated for speaking truth. So, I considered it a privilege, in a small way, to share in that experience for the sake of the gospel. Most importantly, the testimonies of changed lives, people set free from deception, people returning to a place of intimacy with God, those were the real fuel that kept me going. Knowing that one soul was touched made every attack worth it.

Yes, the experience definitely shaped how I approached this new project. It made me even more prayerful and intentional. I understood more deeply the weight of spiritual responsibility that comes with telling such stories. It reminded me to stay rooted in humility, to seek God’s direction every step of the way, and to prepare not just physically and creatively, but spiritually as well. So, while the challenges still come, I face them now with greater clarity, stronger conviction, and a deeper dependence on God.

Your projects always seem to drop just when conversations in the Christian community are heating up. Do you consider yourselves storytellers or prophetic voices—or both?

Honestly, I would say we are both storytellers and prophetic voices by the grace of God. Storytelling is the tool, but the message is prophetic. We don’t just create content for entertainment; we prayerfully wait on God for direction, and many times, what He births through us ends up speaking directly to ongoing conversations or even stirring new ones in the body of Christ.

It’s never about timing something to catch attention, it’s about being sensitive to the heartbeat of God and releasing what He gives us when He says it’s time. For example, the story for prophet suddenly part three came mid last year, long before controversy about music ministry came to light. So, when people say our projects seem to come right in the middle of heated discussions, I see it as a confirmation that we’re in alignment with heaven’s agenda. It’s a humbling thing to be used in that way, and we don’t take it lightly.
It’s about telling God’s truth through those stories.

How do you ensure that your messages stay true to Scripture while remaining relatable to this generation?

That’s a question we constantly keep before us, because striking that balance is crucial. First and foremost, we stay grounded in the Word of God. Every message, every script, and every scene is filtered through the lens of Scripture. We spend time praying, studying the Bible, and seeking spiritual counsel to ensure that the core of what we are sharing aligns with God’s truth, not just opinions or trends.

At the same time, we understand the importance of relatability, especially in reaching this generation. We intentionally listen the media as a tool to reach out to this generation, we ask God for wisdom to translate timeless truths into stories that speak to today’s hearts without compromising the message. Our goal is to be both faithful to Scripture and sensitive to the language of the people we’re called to reach. It’s a continuous walk of dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Your audience is diverse—young people, pastors, creatives, skeptics. Who do you feel needs to see this movie the most and why?

While Prophet Suddenly 3 (The Music Minister) carries a message for everyone, I believe it is especially vital for music ministers and those actively serving in any form of ministry.

It’s a sobering reminder of how subtle distractions, pride, and spiritual negligence can destroy what was once divinely ordained. But beyond the cautionary tale, the film carries deep lessons about humility, accountability, obedience, and staying rooted in the secret place.

That said, it’s not just for ministers. Every believer, no matter their role, can draw wisdom from this story. Whether you’re a pastor, a creative, a worship leader, or just navigating your faith journey, this movie holds a mirror up to the soul and calls us all to realign with God’s purpose. I truly believe it’s a message the body of Christ needs in this season.

With the impact of your previous works and now this new film, are you considering growing into a full-blown Christian film production house?

By God’s grace, The Winlos Film Ministry is already operating as a full-fledged Christian film production house. We have a standard film studio where all our productions are handled, there’s a video of our studio on our social media platforms. This Film house has podcast production studio, editing suite, training center skit production studio, movie production house and music studio.

Over the years, we’ve produced several films both within Nigeria and internationally. Just this year, Prophet Suddenly was shot across three countries: Kenya, the United States, and Nigeria. Last year’s installment was filmed in Ghana and Nigeria. Our work has also received international recognition and we’ve been honored with international awards.

So yes, the vision is already unfolding, and we are trusting God to keep expanding our reach and impact through the ministry. This is just the beginning; there’s so much more God is set to do through The Winlos Film Studio.

Finally, what’s your prayer for this movie—and for every music minister who watches it?

My prayer is that this movie will stir deep reflection, genuine repentance, and a renewed hunger for God’s presence. For every music minister who watches it, may it reignite their passion for intimacy over influence, and draw them back to the heart of true worship.