Lovy Longomba Elias (born 25 November 1986), also known as Prophet Lovy Elias also known by his stage name Lovy Longomba, is a Kenyan Congolese (DRCongo)-American pastor, producer, songwriter, musician, and life coach.[2]

Lovy L. Elias
TitleProphet
Personal life
Born
Lovy Longomba Elias

(1986-11-25) 25 November 1986 (age 38)
PartnerMaggy Elias
Children2
Other namesProphet Lovy
Religious life
ReligionChristianity
DenominationNon-denominational Charismatic/Pentecostal
ChurchRevelation Church of Jesus Christ[1]
ProfessionPastor
Senior posting
Based inSimi Valley, California
Websiteprophetlovy.com

Early life

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Lovy Longomba Elias was born on November 25, 1986, in Nairobi, Kenya. He is of East African and Congolese ancestry.[3] His father Lovy Longomba Sr. was a member of Orchestra Super Mazembe, a Congolese band, and his grandfather Vicky Longomba was a member of TPOK Jazz.[4][5]

Elias started his musical career after high school and co-founded a hip hop/soukous musical group called Longombas, with his brother Christian and cousin Masengo.The group entered Kenyan music scene in 2002 with their song "Dondosa", which became a national hit. Follow-up singles were "Piga Makofi", "Shika More" and "Vuta Pumz". Their debut album Chukua was released in 2005 by Ogopa DJs.[3] In 2003 they had left Ogopa DJs record label together with Deux Vultures and Mr. Googz & Vinnie Banton, and formed their own label, Bad Man Camp. Deux Vultures and Longombas, however, later returned to Ogopa [4] The group has won several awards in Kenya.[6][7][8][9]

In 2007, Elias and his brother relocated to Los Angeles, CA, where the group was disbanded. He became a pastor and focused only on writing and producing for established artists. In 2014, Elias was recognized as one of the producers and songwriters for "Change Your Life" by Iggy Azalea, which was nominated for a Grammy Award.[10][11][12][13][14][15]

Revelation Church of Jesus Christ

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In 2013, Elias started a prayer group in Woodland Hills, CA. He held weekly teachings, bible studies, and fellowship in his living room. Later, Elias established Revelation Church of Jesus Christ.[16][17]

By 2016, Elias began renting out space in Van Nuys, CA, to accommodate their needs. On July 14, 2016, Elias started holding fellowships in Van Nuys, CA. In 2017, he founded Revelation Church of Jesus Christ and led sermons as head pastor. The congregation has grown to more than a thousand members with more online. Elias is also a life coach to celebrities and athletes.[18][19] On April 3, 2019, Elias started live streaming his teachings on platforms such as YouTube and Facebook. Elias regularly live streams his teachings, with past teachings archived on YouTube.[20][21] On Feb 7, 2021, Elias relocated Revelation Church of Jesus Christ's headquarters and worship centre to Simi Valley, CA.[22][23]

Personal life

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Elias was married to the former Idah, nee Onyango, Longomba. They have a son, Andrew.[24][25][26] On June 16, 2017, he filed for a dissolution of marriage with a minor child in Los Angeles Superior Court.[27][28] In 2020, Elias legally changed his full name to Lovy Elias.[29] He is currently married to Maggy Kria Soas as of 2023.[30] His brother, Christian Hulu Longomba, born on June 30, 1984, died March 12, 2021, in Los Angeles, after a long illness.[31][32]

On April 3, 2021, Elias received an honorary doctoral degree from Next Dimension University, an unaccredited religious school and church in Los Angeles, CA.[33]

Songwriting and producing

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Title Year Artist(s)
"Change Your Life (Iggy Azalea song)" 2013 Iggy Azalea, T.I.
"The New Classic" 2014 Iggy Azalea
"Pitch Perfect 2 (soundtrack)" 2015 Iggy Azalea
"More Issues Than Vogue" 2016 K.Michelle
"Youth (Tinie Tempah album)" 2017 Tinie Tempah[34]

References

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  1. ^ "Home". revelationchurchla.org.
  2. ^ "Cleric condemns looting by thugs, hoodlums". The Nation Newspaper. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  3. ^ "HOW LOVY LONGOMBA MORPHED FROM SECULAR ARTIST TO GOSPEL MINI". P.M.EMPRESS. December 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Meet Prophet Lovy Elias Aka Lovy Longomba". Daily Trust. 20 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Prophet Lovy to distribute COVID-19 palliatives". Guardian ng. 14 November 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Yelutide: Clergy Donates Free Food, Clothes Others To Kids". Leadership. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Prophet Lovy Elias; Pastor, Life Coach, and Philanthropist". PM News. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Prophet Lovy Begins 3-Day Prophetic School Classes". Independent. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Lovy Elias Longomba, Chart-Topping Musician Turned Pastor". New Telegraph. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Prophet Lovy Elias, a critical voice to the nations". Nigerian Tribune. 14 November 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  11. ^ "Lovy Longomba lands first Grammy nomination". Nation. 5 July 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  12. ^ "Transitioning from the stage lights, and tours to the pulpit". This Day. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  13. ^ "Prophet Lovy Kicks Off 10 Days Of Total Restoration". The Sun. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  14. ^ "Prophet Lovy condemns senseless killing of civilians". Vanguard. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  15. ^ "Lovy Longomba now a prophet". The Star. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  16. ^ "One step at a time, revelations emerge". 9 April 2021.
  17. ^ "Revelation Church of Jesus Christ". Revelation Church of Jesus Christ.
  18. ^ "Former Logombas musician is now a renown[sic] American pastor". Tuko. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Former secular musician Lovy Longomba gives sermon in US church". Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  20. ^ "Lovy L. Elias @prophetlovy".
  21. ^ https://www.facebook.com/ProphetLovy [user-generated source]
  22. ^ "Revelation Church Dedicates $8.7M New Worship Centre".
  23. ^ "Home". revelationchurchla.org.
  24. ^ Ida and Lovy Longomba’s Son Is a Superstar Just like His Parents ghafla! November 10, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2021,
  25. ^ Lovy Longomba: Prophet gifts his wife with a multi-million car Susan Watiri. pulse live.co.ke. November 24, 2016. Retrieved Sept 13, 2021,
  26. ^ 10 artistes making a quiet return after failed stints abroad Caroline Nyanga. The Standard Group PLC. 2021. Retrieved Sept 13, 2021,
  27. ^ LONGOMBA, LOVY VS LONGOMBA, IDA trellis. April 28, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021
  28. ^ LONGOMBA, LOVY VS LONGOMBA, IDA UniCourt. Retrieved September 14, 2021,
  29. ^ "Here's What Lovy Longomba Of The Longombas Has Been Up To". Ghetto Radio. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  30. ^ "Maggy Soas and Dr. Lovy Elias Tie the Knot in Malibu Ceremony". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  31. ^ “I came back home in honour of my late brother!” Lovy Longomba on his return after 16 years! Johnsons Christine. Sharon Madonna! March 27, 2021. Retrieved Sept 13, 2021
  32. ^ Longombas member Christian dies aged 36 Lucy Ilado. Sharon Madonna! musicinafrica.net. March 15, 2021,
  33. ^ "Lovy Longomba graduates, earns the title Dr Lovy".
  34. ^ "The Artiste formerly known as Lovy Longomba jnr". Vanguard. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
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