ABUJA, Nigeria (ABS News) — Nigerian actress, philanthropist, politician, and evangelist Tonto Dikeh has formally launched a new Christian ministry.
The ministry, known as New Wine Prophetic Tabernacle (NWPT), was unveiled on Sunday in Abuja. Dikeh described it as an interdenominational Christian fellowship dedicated to prayer, revival, spiritual growth, and the pursuit of a deeper relationship with God. She emphasized that NWPT is not a conventional church, but rather a gathering for believers seeking what she called “the raw power, purity, and presence of God.”
According to the ministry’s mission statement, NWPT seeks to become a global movement of consecrated Christians committed to revival, discipleship, evangelism, spiritual gifts, and personal transformation. The fellowship will hold weekly meetings every Friday at 6:00 p.m. at Omini Grand Hotel, formerly Alexis Hotel, in Jabi, Abuja.
The ministry draws its inspiration from Mark 2:22, where Jesus speaks about “new wine” requiring “new wineskins,” a biblical metaphor Dikeh says represents spiritual renewal and wholehearted commitment to God. NWPT has also outlined four core values under the acronym FIRE: Flame of Intercession, Intimacy and Consecration, Revival and Soul Winning, and Empowerment through Deliverance and Healing.
For many Nigerians, however, the announcement represents more than the birth of a new ministry—it marks the latest chapter in the evolution of one of Nollywood’s most recognizable personalities.
Born Tonto Charity Dikeh, the 41-year-old first rose to prominence in the mid-2000s after winning The Next Movie Star talent competition. She went on to become one of Nollywood’s most successful actresses, starring in dozens of films that established her as a household name across Africa. Beyond acting, she ventured into music, philanthropy, and later politics, serving as the deputy governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State during Nigeria’s 2023 elections.
Her career has often unfolded under intense public scrutiny. Over the years, Dikeh made headlines for her highly publicized marriage and divorce, personal struggles, and outspoken personality. In recent years, however, she has increasingly spoken about her Christian faith and what she describes as a profound spiritual transformation.
In late 2025, she publicly testified that she had overcome years of smoking, alcohol dependence, anger, and other personal struggles after embracing Christianity. She has since become closely associated with prayer gatherings and has frequently shared devotional messages with millions of followers on social media.
Announcing the launch of NWPT, Dikeh wrote that the ministry exists for believers “who refuse to settle for lukewarm Christianity” and are hungry for genuine revival and transformation. In a separate personal message, she described herself as “forever surrendered” to God’s calling and signed off with the words, “I am a Jesus ‘Yes Sir’ girl.”
Dikeh now joins a growing list of Nigerian entertainers who have transitioned from the entertainment industry into Christian ministry, reflecting a broader trend in which public figures increasingly use their influence to pursue religious leadership and evangelism.
