One-on-one with Mercy Masika

How would you describe yourself?

A lady, a wife, a mother and a sister who loves the Lord more than anything. I am a woman of faith and a child of God. I am also a musician and a preacher.

How do you keep fit?

I work out three times a week. I made a decision to be fit because I realized that as you get older, your body also slows down metabolically. I think I'm physically in better shape now than I was in my teens and twenties. I also try to eat healthy food. Right now I’m trying to go vegetarian but I really love meat!

About those trolls on social media?

Negative people see things through the lens of rejection or pain. I choose to ignore trolls because they don’t define me.

Paul said in the bible that he pleases God first. So, if you are pleasing God, you won’t be confused by people bringing you down. They try to hit you where it hurts, but I choose to think positively and don't give much thought to that kind of energy.

How have you managed to remain this grounded over time?

I really value the word of God and it has shaped who I have become. The Bible says "humble yourself and God will lift you up". God opposes the proud and lifts the humble, and I’ve actually seen this in my life. Whenever I was proud I didn’t get the results I wanted, but when I was humble, I did.

Even in marriage, both husband and wife need to be humble because humility pays. If it weren't for humility, I don’t think I’d still have a marriage. I speak to myself and say, I will live according to the word, as opposed to the way I feel.

Is it difficult for a woman of faith to be in the Entertainment industry?

For me, it’s not. I don’t consider myself to be in the entertainment industry because what I do is more of who I am: a worship leader and a lady who loves to sing songs for the Lord. I am more of a minister that an entertainer so I'm comfortable. I know who I am and I don’t feel any pressure.

What are your Easter plans and what message should people take away from celebrating Easter?

Easter is a powerful time, it’s the basis of what Jesus did for us and what has made us, Gentiles, able to be called children of God. It is a time to remember the things that Jesus went through for us to be free.

I usually try to attend a crusade over Easter in order to evangelize, and this year I’m doing that in Mombasa. In whatever way I can through my music, I will try to be a blessing this Easter, telling people about Jesus.

Easter should be a time to celebrate sacrificial love. There are a lot of people, especially men, who don't sacrifice even for family. Easter should remind us that love has to be sacrificial. In the same way that Jesus died for us, Easter should remind us to love sacrificially.