He is sacrificing everything he has built in the restaurant and alcohol business for the church. He is letting his family run his restaurant franchise business Kwa Lichaba to become a man of the cloth. Businessman Max Lichaba is following his calling to be a pastor.

?LEAVING EVERYTHING BEHIND

The ex-husband of one of South Africa's media darlings says that he will be resigning from his position as Managing Director of Kwa Lichaba Chesa Nyama outlets and brand. "My resignation will take effect immediately. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all customers, suppliers, colleagues, and stakeholders for their continued support over the years,' he says in a statement. "The business activities of Kwa Lichaba Lounge will continue to operate under the management of the Lichaba family. I decided to resign from my post principally because of the decision to follow my calling of being a pastor. I am truly thankful for the assistance and support that you have given me. I believe that Kwa Lichaba business will earn more success and milestones in the years to come.'

IT'S IN THE BLOOD?

The now reformed man tells ZiMoja that ministering runs in his family and he will be doing his ministry at Nations Of Hope Ministries in the East Rand, Johannesburg. "I'm the third generation in my family of pastors. My grandfather and my mother were pastors,' he says. "I have known since the age of 12 years that I had the calling to be a pastor, but I was ordained at the age of 22 years. However, I have been avoiding my calling to start the ministry for a while. But now it is time and I have handed over the alcohol business while preparing for my pastoring journey.'

A CHANGED MAN?

But Max says he is no longer the same man that people read bout in the tabloids. "I'm a changed man.' His relationship with God is stronger than ever. "I'm closer to God than before. I have realised that I cannot run away from God but run to God to enable me to serve Him and fulfill my purpose on earth, which is giving hope to the hopeless, mostly with reference to my background, struggles, upbringing, and experiences,' he says. "Someone out there needs to hear my experience and be encouraged and inspired because of what I went through in my life. A lot of people would have given up, but I am here for a reason and that is to give the message of hope.'