Rich Wilkerson, Jr., the pastor who officiated Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s wedding, says he’s not a “celebrity pastor.”
“I didn’t pick that title. If that’s the title that the world wants to put on me, then that’s what they’re going to give me,” said Wilkerson. “I don’t see myself that way. I see myself as a person who’s trying to build a church.”
Wilkerson spoke to Christianity Today about his increase in popularity. He’s filmed a reality series, released a book and appeared at Hillsong and Catalyst conferences.
Wilkerson started his own congregation, Vous Church in Florida, in the fall. He’s become popular on social media for his Hollywood friends, such as Justin Bieber, and his “hip style” of skinny jeans and cool hair.
“We've seen how quickly a public preacher can fall, bringing disdain upon Jesus with him,” said Craig Detweiler, creative director at the Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Culture at Pepperdine University. “There is bound to be some wariness anytime our prayers move from secret places, behind closed doors (per Jesus' teaching) into primetime, TV stages, and Twitter feeds instead.”
But Wilkerson said he’s not trying to become a celebrity.
“There’s not a strategy or a network. It’s just, ‘Let’s befriend people,’” said Wilkerson. “The goal is to be like Jesus, and I think Jesus would show love and grace to anybody in his path.”
Photo courtesy: flickr.com
Publication date: December 9, 2015
