'The gospel is not for the church' - Joseph Matthew

The prime function of the Church is to be involved in every facet of the believer. This is evidently because the church is where God's people are taught God's word so they can grow spiritually.

But to arguably the best Ghanaian afro gospel musician, and 'Nyame Ye' hitmaker Joseph Matthew also known as JM, God's word is not for the Church.

According to the award-winning UK-based afro gospel artist, gospel artists must not limit themselves to the Church.

He noted that the message of God must rather be preached to the world.

Joseph Matthew who is currently out with a smashing song dubbed 'The Name', made this revelation while explaining the motive behind his style of doing gospel music in an exclusive interview on 'Rush Hour Drive' show hosted by Okyerefuor on Accra-based Hot 93.9FM:

"If You look at me I am not your typical gospel artist...I don't know anyone who is doing my type of Gospel music in Ghana. I don't know any gospel artist with dreadlocks like mine...you need to have a thick skin because people would judge you over it but you need to know you pleasing God and not just a man, you need to believe in your gift and talent... bit by bit and you would get there...People would talk about it whether it's good or bad.

"As a gospel artist do not limit yourself to the churches because the message is not for the church ...the gospel is not for the church but for the world...we need to get that message because we keep circulating the gospel in churches ..when we doing conferences we do it in the Church; who is going to reach out to the ones in the streets? Gospel music must cut across for everyone to listen to," he told Okyerefuor.

Joseph Matthew is an afro gospel artist with a distinctive contemporary sound - which is a mixture of Ghanaian Highlife, contemporary afrobeats and rap.

Watch excerpts of the interview below: