For years, speculation surrounded the sudden departure of several renowned gospel artists from Christ Embassy, the globally recognized ministry founded by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. Many assumed these music ministers left due to restrictions on performing outside the church, but Pastor Oyakhilome has finally broken his silence, revealing the deeper reasons behind their exit.
In a newly surfaced video, the influential pastor disclosed that he made the decision to part ways with these singers because they had lost focus on their spiritual calling. According to him, their music shifted away from true worship and became more about personal fame, financial gains, and entertainment rather than glorifying God.
“Why did it happen? The church was turned into a party place instead of a house of prayer where God’s word was truly celebrated,” Pastor Oyakhilome stated.
He explained that despite their ability to lead praise sessions, many of these singers were not committed to soul-winning and often neglected the deeper aspects of their faith. He revealed that while they participated in praise and worship, they would disappear when it was time for prayers, showing a lack of dedication to the core spiritual mission of the church.
“They were not soul winners. They led praise in church, but when it was time for prayers, they would disappear. The church lost its original way of worship. Everything changed—the music in the church became worldly, they danced for themselves, celebrated themselves instead of glorifying God, and they even started charging fees for singing. They became professionals, turning ministry into a business,” he explained.
Pastor Oyakhilome noted that while he initially embraced and supported these music ministers, he had to make a difficult decision when he realized that their priorities no longer aligned with the church’s spiritual direction. He emphasized that the church’s foundation should remain rooted in worship and soul-winning, not in personal ambitions or financial incentives.
“I told them that the Lord wanted us to return to the right path, but they had become too famous and unwilling to change. They were making some money, though it wasn’t even a large sum, yet the little they were earning was too appealing to them, and they didn’t want to follow me anymore. They chose a different path… I truly hope they repent. They are not worship leaders,” he stated.
Watch the video here:
Pastor Oyakhilome’s revelation has reignited debates on the role of gospel music in modern Christianity and whether commercialization has overshadowed the true essence of worship. While some argue that gospel artists deserve financial compensation for their craft, others believe that ministry should remain purely about spiritual devotion, not business.
The controversy surrounding the exit of these singers has also raised questions about the balance between talent, faith, and financial stability in religious music. Should gospel musicians be compensated for their work, or should their service remain purely spiritual?
As reactions continue to pour in from across the religious and entertainment communities, one thing is certain—Pastor Oyakhilome remains firm in his commitment to keeping Christ Embassy’s worship true to its divine purpose.
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