We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Percival Ambeau a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Percival, appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

The idea of Woke Worship Center came in a moment of obedience to what God placed on my heart. For a while, I felt the call to do more, to say more, to be more. I knew my voice was meant to be heard in greater spaces than what I was currently doing. At the time, I had a TV show called “Your Gift Matters!”—and while it was impactful, I knew there was still more. More healing to be done. More truth to be spoken. More people to reach. This wasn’t a one-time, one-level, one-moment-of-obedience type of thing. This was the result of years in the making.

I had served in ministry, churches, and faith-based organizations for 19 years—with excellence and humility. That season of service was my training ground. It was God’s way of preparing me for what was to come: the birth of Woke Worship Center. After years of saying yes to others, God was asking me to say yes to what He placed inside me.

I remember sitting in prayer, and I felt the weight—like a spiritual heaviness—on behalf of people silently suffering. People both inside and outside the church who were battling depression, identity issues, rejection, trauma—all hidden behind a well-rehearsed Sunday smile. I knew someone needed to launch out and be honest enough to say, “Hey, I see you. I’ve been you. And there’s healing for you.” I didn’t want to build just another church. I wanted to build a movement of truth-tellers, hope dealers, and mental health advocates.

But there was another burden that burned deeply: millennials. I felt the weight of what I call “the forgotten generation” of the church. The western church didn’t do a great job reaching us where we were. Instead, we were often forced to fit into a mold—sing louder, serve harder, shout longer, dress the part—while suffering in silence. No one told us that healing and therapy were spiritual. No one showed us that authenticity had a seat at God’s table. Church politics were exhausting, and I knew it was time for something real, relevant, and revolutionary.

While I was still praying and seeking clarity, God sent confirmation in the form of my Co-Pastor, Selina Thompson—a powerhouse in the Spirit and someone I had known and worked with for years. We were both building careers in Corporate America, yet we always found ourselves doing ministry in the marketplace. One day, God told her clearly: “You are to follow him.” What she didn’t know was that He had already told me: “Go and start it.” After two weeks of fasting and prayer, we both heard the same instruction—we were to launch together. It made perfect sense. Our friendship and ministry history were already knitted by divine design.

So, we began planning. For three months, we prayed, we built, and we executed what God gave us step by step. We met on Zoom, met in person, and prayed while updating a shared Google Document. That document became our blueprint. We wrote down everything—from sermon series ideas to structure, team roles, outreach ideas, and mental health initiatives. We leveraged our networks and researched how to legally register our church with both the federal government and the secretary of state. It was a true partnership of purpose.

The Google Document grew and grew—and so did our to-do list—but with intentionality, obedience, wisdom, and God-sent people who believed in us, we figured it out. Every yes opened a new door. And since launching, Woke Worship Center has grown into over 18 countries and cities worldwide, with over 50,000 views in under three years. We’ve presented the Gospel, ministered healing, and reached far more people than we ever could from a traditional building.

Being virtual has not only kept us global—it’s given us freedom to travel the country, hosting mental health workshops, revivals, and empowerment events. From boardrooms to pulpits, from YouTube to hotel conference rooms, we’ve honored the call to be the church beyond the walls. And none of this would’ve been possible without simply saying yes, trusting God daily, and committing to walk out the vision He gave us.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am more than what many expect when they hear the word “pastor.” My calling reaches beyond the pulpit and into boardrooms, business ventures, and broken places. I’ve been blessed to experience success both in ministry and in the marketplace. I’ve hosted a TV show (Your Gift Matters!), authored books, written and produced stage plays, and built a business from the ground up.

In the corporate world, I’ve served as a people leader for over 14 years. My work as a coach, mentor, and career strategist has fueled a passion to help others maximize their potential—regardless of background, status, or struggle. That passion birthed YPEP – Your Potential Exceeds Your Position, a career development business focused on helping people grow professionally and personally with strategy and confidence. Through YPEP, I’ve empowered individuals to overcome workplace challenges, build strong résumés, improve their interview skills, set intentional goals, and navigate office politics with integrity.

What makes my work meaningful is my commitment to serving all people, including those from underserved communities. I’ve provided coaching and career resources to low-income families—because potential has no price tag. And today, I continue to offer one-on-one coaching and mentorship for those who are ready to grow beyond their comfort zone and step into the fullness of their calling.

By day, I’m a corporate leader and career strategist. By divine design, I’m also a millennial pastor committed to healing hearts and shifting culture. What sets me apart is my deep desire to help people heal—from trauma, from toxic leaders, from church hurt, from mental health battles—so they can become the best, healthiest version of themselves. I believe being effective in and out of the pulpit is what defines a true leader. My faith isn’t just something I preach—it’s something I live through honesty, transparency, and vulnerability. That’s why people can resonate with the message I carry, whether it’s in a sermon, a staff meeting, or a casual conversation at the grocery store.

What I’m most proud of isn’t a title, platform, or accolade—it’s who I’ve become through the process. My scars tell stories of healing. My setbacks have become stepping stones. I’ve learned that sometimes we don’t see the bigger picture while we’re in the valley, but God is still ordering our steps. I’ve made it a practice to not just hear from God for others, but to let Him speak to me about me. My relationship with Him is rooted in love, humility, and the kind of discipline that transforms lives.

I believe in doing ministry in unconventional, creative, and culturally relevant ways to reach people who’ve never felt like they fit in. Our weekly services are raw, real, and powerful. Our conferences carry prophetic weight. And the way we unpack scripture? It’s not just informative—it’s transformational.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

A huge part of my resilience comes from my willingness to learn from seasons of brokenness and heartbreak. I’ve been broken—in church, in business, and in love—and yet, I’ve come out wiser, stronger, and more committed to walking in purpose.

In church, I experienced deep betrayal and jealousy. As a millennial in a traditional space, I was often misunderstood, even bullied. At one point, the spiritual warfare and rejection were so intense that I made the difficult decision to resign from a ministry I once loved. I was overlooked, talked about, and dismissed—not because I lacked calling, but because I didn’t fit the mold.

In business, I was underestimated and discriminated against for being an unconventional leader. I led with love. I got results. But instead of being celebrated, my difference made others uncomfortable. I was excluded, not because I lacked excellence, but because I challenged the norm. Still, I stayed true to who I was, and God continued to elevate me.

And in love… I gave my heart fully. I truly believed I had found the one—a woman who felt like a dream come true. But we didn’t make it to the altar. That heartbreak was personal, painful, and private, yet it helped shape me into a more compassionate, grounded, and whole man.

In all these public spaces—church, business, and relationships—where I experienced pain, discrimination, and disappointment, I also discovered the depth of my calling and the strength of my character. What once broke me, now builds me. My story is my secret sauce. It’s the reason real people can connect with me. They don’t want perfection—they want authenticity. They want a leader with a real story they can relate to. And I’m honored to be that for them.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

As a virtual church, social media is our vestibule, our parking lot, and our sanctuary. It’s the first impression, the atmosphere, and the altar call—all in one. That’s why presence, story, branding, vision, and execution matter deeply to us.

In our early stages, we built a strong and engaged following by introducing what we call our “One Hour of Power.” In 60 minutes or less, we offer a deeply impactful, Spirit-led experience that leaves a lasting imprint. We were clear about what we wanted to offer: excellence, authenticity, and encounters with God that transcend the screen. Through technology, strategy, and a God-given vision, we’ve created something distinct and meaningful.

In just three years, we’ve grown into an international ministry, reaching people across continents with the Word of God—presented in creative, culturally relevant, and transformative ways. We’ve embraced innovation without compromising truth. Leveraging AI, digital systems, data analytics, and strategic partnerships has helped us scale with wisdom and intention.

Yes, others have tried to replicate what we do—but what they often miss is the intersection of innovation and passion. The secret isn’t just in the systems—it’s in the spirit behind it. You can’t manufacture authenticity or divine strategy.

For anyone looking to grow a meaningful social media presence, the key is staying true to who you are and staying rooted in the original mission and vision of your work. When you know you’re not in competition with anyone but the best version of yourself, it becomes easier to stay in your lane, walk in your grace, and build something that lasts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wokeworshipcenter.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wokeworshipcenter333/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WokeWorshipCenter/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wokeworshipcenter