Renowned Nigerian preacher and Christ Embassy founder, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has taken a strong stance against the music industry, accusing it of continuously exploiting the church for decades.
In a recent sermon, he claimed that no other sector has benefited more from the church while giving so little in return.
Pastor Oyakhilome pointed out that many mainstream artists launched their careers within church choirs and praise teams, only to abandon their faith-driven roots in pursuit of fame and fortune. “They were in the choir, they were leading praise, but ended up in the world. All they ever did was use the church,” he lamented, emphasizing that these artists leveraged their religious upbringing as a stepping stone to commercial success.
Beyond the departures, he expressed concern over the influence some of these musicians bring back into the church after immersing themselves in secular spaces. He urged church leaders to be discerning when assigning roles in music ministry, warning against entrusting worship to individuals who may be driven more by personal ambition than spiritual devotion.
His statements have sparked widespread discussion about the long-standing relationship between the church and the entertainment industry, reigniting debates on the balance between faith, creativity, and commercial success.
