Tevin Macharia Mukabana@TevinMacharia
I have been watching the conversations around Lent and Hallelujah Challenge, and honestly, I feel the need to speak — not from a place of attack, but from understanding.
I was once a Catholic. I was in Seminary. I desired to be a priest before life took a different turn. So I understand what Lent means. I understand Ash Wednesday. I understand abstaining from meat on Fridays. I understand confession. I understand the discipline and the doctrine.
And because I understand it, I also know this:
Lent is not just about what you remove from your plate.
It is about what you remove from your heart.
It is not just about avoiding meat on Fridays.
It is about crucifying pride, anger, dishonor, and hatred daily.
It is not just about going to confession every week.
It is about living in a way that reflects what Jesus did on the Cross.
Lent is a season of reflection on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. A season of humility. A season of repentance. A season of examining your own heart.
So when I see some people on X dragging Nathaniel Bassey over Hallelujah Challenge, I ask myself — is this truly the spirit of Lent?
Hallelujah Challenge has been happening every February for years. It did not start yesterday. It did not start to compete with Lent. It has been a consistent altar of worship long before some of the loudest critics even joined it.
And let’s be clear:
He has never told Catholics to abandon Lent.
He has never preached against Catholic doctrine.
He has never forced anyone to choose between Lent and worship.
So why the dragging? Why the dishonor? Why the insults?
If you are Catholic and you believe that during Lent you should not sing “Hallelujah,” then focus on your Lent. That is your conviction. Honor it. Live it. Practice it with integrity.
But why attack someone who is simply leading worship?
You can: – Pause Hallelujah Challenge and focus fully on Lent.
– Participate in both quietly if your conscience allows.
– Or simply scroll past and mind your devotion.
Spiritual maturity means knowing that not every altar is yours — but you don’t destroy what you don’t attend.
The irony is this:
Lent calls for humility.
Yet some responses are full of pride.
Lent calls for repentance.
Yet some comments are full of accusation.
Lent calls for self-examination.
Yet many are busy examining someone else.
Dragging a man of God publicly, speaking with dishonor, and masking it as “defending doctrine” — is that truly the spirit of Christ?
Even within Christianity, there are different expressions of worship. The Body of Christ is diverse. Catholics have their traditions. Pentecostals have theirs. Evangelicals have theirs. The beauty of the Church is not uniformity — it is unity in Christ.
Maturity is understanding that conviction is personal.
Ignorance is assuming your conviction must control everyone else.
If something offends your doctrine, withdraw respectfully. That is strength.
But attacking, insulting, and misrepresenting? That reveals more about the heart than about theology.
As someone who has walked both spaces, I can say this boldly:
Lent should produce gentleness.
Lent should produce restraint.
Lent should produce Christlike character.
Not online warfare.
The world is already watching the Church. And when believers tear each other apart publicly, what testimony are we giving?
We can disagree without dishonor.
We can uphold doctrine without hostility.
We can stand firm without being rude.
And above all, we can remember that worship is not a competition.
If Hallelujah Challenge is not for you during Lent, that is okay.
If Lent is your focus, embrace it fully.
If you choose both, do it in sincerity.
But let us not reduce Christianity to online arguments and spiritual superiority.
Examine your heart.
Guard your words.
Represent Christ well.
Because at the end of the day, it is not about the programs
And if this season is truly about Him, then our character should reflect Him first.
