On-air personality. Comedian. Professor. Marcus D. Wiley fits all 3 of these categories; however, he is best known for the first two titles. A native Houstonian, Marcus performs comedy shows nationwide and provides comic relief to thousands of listeners every morning as a part of the nationally syndicated “Yolanda Adams Morning Show.” Marcus is wildly popular on the morning show for his segment as Bishop Secular. While he is always joking, Marcus always has a sincere underlying message. Likewise, he is sincere in his walk in faith.

I had an opportunity to talk with Marcus one morning after he got off-air. As is the case with all 7th Made interviews, we jumped right in with, “when did you first dedicated your life to Christ?” He made the decision for himself at the age of 12 in “1984 at [his] father’s church – New Peaceful Rest Missionary Baptist Church” (all of which was said in true Marcus Wiley “old-school Baptist” form).

Having “grown up in the church,” it is sometimes possible to get caught up in the routine of church. Marcus makes sure that he is continuously growing spiritually by reading [the Bible] and praying. Acceptance is also key in his spiritual growth as he explains, “I try to treat everybody right, and be fair and compassionate.” This is crucial for Marcus because he feels customs and traditions can act as a hindrance. For instance, he says, “We give minor things so much attention. If a young man walks in church with a hat on, there is now a focus on that being [disrespectful] because it’s not tradition. But, he can have what the word says too.”

While on the topic of attention, I ask if being on the Yolanda Adams Morning Show was any pressure to lead a certain lifestyle. Is it more of an effort to watch your actions? Marcus says he feels no pressure. “I should be watching how I act regardless. I don’t let viewers run my life.”

Next we chatted about Marcus’ prayer and study life. I reminded Marcus of a joke he tells about people being shocked when they give him a prayer request because he doesn’t pray “normal.” But jokes aside, he says people have to “stop getting caught up in prayer jargon. You just need to be honest when you talk to God. Be real.” And in regards to his Bible study, Marcus had this to say, “I read daily.” After a brief pause he started laughing because he does not have a choice; it’s what they do at work! "It's my job to read [the Bible]," he jokes. However, Marcus says not to “get it twisted, [he] was well-versed before the show.”

Randoms:

Favorite Bible Verse – Situational
Favorite Gospel Artist(s) – Yolanda Adams, Canton Jones, Maurette Brown Clark
Favorite Part of Church – Benediction (said jokingly). Fellowship. “That’s what church is all about. You don’t go just to learn. You must go outside of the church. Church is for the believer.”

-J. McNair

www.marcusdwiley.com
www.wileywood.com