Chris Oyakhilome Explains Why Worship Leaders Left Christ Embassy
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, founder of Christ Embassy, has finally broken his silence regarding the departure of several gospel musicians from his church. In a candid address, Oyakhilome attributed the exit of these worship leaders to their growing focus on worldly gain and personal fame instead of wholeheartedly serving God.
According to Oyakhilome, the issue began when the musicians, once passionate about leading worship, started to shift their priorities. He explained that although these leaders would enthusiastically lead praise and worship during services, they routinely left when it was time for prayer. “They were not soul winners; they led praise in church, and when it was time for prayers, they were gone,” he lamented. This behavior, he said, was indicative of a deeper problem—a move away from the church’s core mission toward self-centered ambitions.
Oyakhilome further alleged that these musicians had begun charging for their performances and became overly preoccupied with monetary rewards. “The church lost its way of worship, everything changed, the music in the church became worldly, they danced for themselves, celebrated themselves not God, they charged for their singing, they became professionals making money from the church… and many pastors didn’t know that this was the world coming into the church,” he explained.
In his remarks, the pastor recalled how he initially celebrated the talents of these musicians. However, upon noticing the disturbing direction in which they were headed, he made earnest attempts to correct their course. “I did at the beginning and celebrated them but when I changed, they refused to change with me, so I had to let them go; God was getting my attention and saying this is not the way. I told them the Lord wanted us to do the right thing… they had become too popular and because they were making even little money…. do they know what big money is? The little money they were making was too attractive to them, so they didn’t want to follow me, so they made a detour…. I hope they all repent….. they are not worship leaders,” Oyakhilome declared.
Despite his disappointment, the pastor expressed hope that those who left might eventually repent and return to the true essence of worship—serving God above personal interests. He emphasized that genuine worship leaders should always prioritize God’s glory over worldly pursuits and material gain.
As the controversy continues to stir discussions within the church and beyond, Oyakhilome’s remarks serve as a stern reminder of the importance of maintaining the sanctity and original purpose of worship. His call for repentance and returning to humble service underscores the ongoing struggle to balance cultural influence with spiritual integrity in modern worship practices.
In sharing his candid observations, Pastor Oyakhilome not only addresses the current challenges within his ministry but also calls on all worship leaders to reflect on their true purpose—bringing glory to God and uplifting the spiritual lives of their congregants.
