Digital content creator Sharon Mwangi has called out the widespread culture of idolising pastors, saying it is crippling many people’s faith, especially in Kenya and across Africa.
Speaking to a local TV station on Friday, April 18, 2025, Sharon noted that some Christians have placed pastors on a pedestal, seeing them as the only link between themselves and God.
“People are idolising pastors; they have placed pastors above God. They think that for them to reach God, they have to go through this person. That is the problem, if anything. I will say that is the thing that is crippling a lot of people in terms of their faith in Kenya and Africa; it is a widespread problem,” she said.
Sharon reminded believers that Jesus is the only mediator between humanity and God, emphasising that Easter, the death and resurrection of Christ, symbolises the direct access every person now has to God.
“The whole point of Easter and of Jesus dying on the cross for us is so that we can have fellowship with God. He broke the seal that was between us as humans and God,” Sharon added.
According to the podcaster, prayer is not confined to the church or limited to clergy.
“Now I can go to my bedroom, car, matatu or the streets, and I can talk to God directly,” she stated.
Sharon also highlighted the role of pastors as guides to help people understand the Word, not as divine figures.
“Pastors are supposed to help you understand the word; they are human beings; they make mistakes; they sin. If we really knew what pastors are going through, we would not idolise them,” she said.
She further urged Kenyans to embrace personal relationships with God and stop relying solely on religious leaders for spiritual growth.
“Jesus is the only person you have to go through to get to God, so pastors are human beings like you, and do not let anyone tell you that you can not pray for yourself, that you have to go to a pastor to pray for you. No,” she urged.
Spiritual journey
In March 2025, she opened up about her decision to get saved and her spiritual journey.
Speaking to DJ Moz, Sharon revealed that one of her biggest fears about becoming a Christian was losing friends.
“I actually thought about this not so long ago. A lot of my friends from university – I am not friends with them anymore because I realised they were my party friends. They were friends out of convenience. We lived in the same space in school, had the same classes, and partied together,” she revealed.
She went on to say that her decision to stop partying had a significant impact on her friendships.
“When I stopped partying and drinking, we just drifted. Obviously, there’s no hate; it is just life. We’re not aligned anymore; we’re not chasing the same things, but I still have love for them,” she said.
However, the podcaster says despite all the changes, she was able to retain some close friends.
“I guess it’s by the mercy of God that I still have them. You know, I kept hearing people say, ‘Oh, when you become a Christian, you’re going to lose all your friends and relationships,’ and that’s something I really feared for myself,” she added.