Meet Olumba Obu of Brethren of Atlanta in Metro Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Olumba Obu.

Olumba, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
How I started and where I am today can only be attributed to one person, God. In 2016, I was involved in a terrible break up that almost cost me my life. Some of us know how painful that could be. I was pretending to know what I was doing in my life especially in aspects of my acting career, but I was really lost. I met a man of God named Albert (who is now my best friend) who showed me genuine Christian love. He began showing me scriptures and teaching me how to pray. Next thing I know I gave my life to Jesus Christ and the rest is history. God opened a door for my family to be on Family Feud, so you may have heard of “The Obus on the Feud.”

Immediately after losing the game show Steve told me, “It’s only a game show. Win in life son, win in life.” I began to pray for what the Lord wanted me to do. He placed it on my heart for Albert and I to start a prayer group called Brethren of Atlanta. For a few months, a few of us would meet up bi-weekly to pray at our friend Nana’s house. We prayed about personal things, family, and for the well being of our community. Fast forward into 2017, we established the prayer group as a nonprofit organization. Since then, God opened doors for me to minister at Georgia State’s Life Fellowship program, write my first faith-based film, work with Tyler Perry, play a King’s guard in Black Panther, and co-star on the BET show “The Quad.”

Alongside acting and screenwriting, I serve under Pastor Isaac Okine, the lead pastor of Oasis Christian Fellowship International in Jonesboro, GA. I am currently undergoing leadership training while I teach Sunday school every week.

Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t think anything worth having can ever be a smooth road. If it’s too smooth, it’s suspect. Lol, I believe the depth of our dreams is dependent on the weight of our obstacles. The bigger the dream, the bigger the obstacles. It was hard inviting people to come on the prayer line. It’s similar to inviting people to church. People would ignore my calls and give me all kinds of excuses why they couldn’t make it. It was actually low-key embarrassing sometimes. Week after week I tried to convince people to come on the prayer line for prayer until I realized I couldn’t force anyone to come. All I could do is plant the seed with the word and leave the rest to the Lord. Another challenge has been funding our programs, events, and ways to financially support people in our group. I want to do a lot for our prayer group but we aren’t necessarily selling a product you can order off of Amazon. Our product is the gospel of Jesus. Telling people about him and sharing his love through prayer for others. We are trusting God to provide finances for our future programs and conferences.

I’ve also had a small share of challenges being a man of faith in the entertainment industry. Acting and writing is my career but ministry is my calling. A lady once asked me “You’re an actor too? Wow, how’s that going to work with the church stuff?” But I thank God for people like the Erwin Brothers, Mark Burnett, and Devon Franklin who have exemplified masterpieces and exposed the need for Christian films in Hollywood.

Please tell us about Brethren of Atlanta.
Well anyone who knows me would tell you I’m an actor, writer, singer and all that good stuff. But any who really knows me will tell you that I am a man of prayer. Brethren of Atlanta doesn’t joke when it comes to prayer. Prayer is the principle our organization was founded on. We have a corporate prayer line where we pray twice a week on Sunday and Tuesday nights at 8pm EST. We raise up specific prayer topics, take prayer requests, and also pray for our communities. The first month we started the prayer line we consistently prayed for a young woman in New Orleans who had been in a coma. Three days later she woke up out of the coma! From that day we knew that God was really with us. Since then God has done a plethora of miracles for us.

What I’m very proud of is we had our first annual cabin trip last year. It’s a prayer retreat where the members come from around the nation to pray and fellowship with each other. I’m proud of Albert, co-founder of BOA, for always supporting me. I’m proud of our leaders and the souls we’ve added to the kingdom. What still blows my mind is that people call in from as far as Canada, United Kingdom, and even Ghana! Without our members there really wouldn’t be any prayer line.

What sets me apart from others? Well, I would say my understanding of Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path.” I cannot do anything on my own. It’s grace. I’m a firm believer that without God directing me, I can never achieve my purpose. What makes Brethren of Atlanta so special is our desire to share the love of Christ. There are people right now who are a prayer away from their lives turning around permanently!

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I believe that prayer is something that will always be needed. Who doesn’t want prayer? I do see Brethren of Atlanta collaborating with more churches, colleges, sponsors, and non-profit organizations. We desire to do more outreach programs and to bring a creative way to share the gospel in the city. In 5-10 years, Brethren of Atlanta will be holding youth conferences and prayer workshops all over Atlanta that teach people the importance of a praying community and how to pray effectively. As the film industry is growing in Atlanta, BOA will be striving to produce more Christian content as well.