Nigerian comedian and actor AY Makun has spoken candidly about his decision to stop attending church services in person, clarifying that it was not a crisis of faith but rather painful personal experiences with two congregations that drove him away.
The 54-year-old took to Instagram to share his story, revealing that he now worships online instead.
He said his initial withdrawal from his former church came after damaging narratives about him began making the rounds on social media.
“Part of that decision was because I just did not want to become the subject of whispered conversations and curious looks, especially when you walk into the house of God,” he wrote.
“Sometimes when your life has been discussed publicly, walking into a family environment can feel heavier than people realise, so occasionally I just worship online.”
Makun said he eventually summoned the courage to try a new church, where he felt at home from his very first visit.
“From the very first day, I felt welcomed and I met the pastor, his family, members of the leadership, a few members, yeah, so we had a great time together and honestly, I thought maybe I found a place to call home,” he added.
However, his hopes were dashed when, after being invited to take part in a church programme, he was told he would no longer be involved following internal discussions over concerns about his public image.
“After some internal discussions, I was told I would no longer be participating because of concerns about public perception surrounding me,” he said.
Rather than lashing out, the stand-up comedian used the moment to raise a deeper question about the purpose of the church.
“I am not here to criticise pastors. I am here to help. This is not about proving whether I am right or wrong, and it is also not about me asking you guys to ignore the truth of what you think you know,” he said.
“This is about asking what the church represents. What if all the story you hear about AY out there was true? What if they were false? What if they were mere rumours? Would not the church be the safest place to find truth, grace, and restoration?”
Makun argued that the church should be a refuge for those going through difficult times — not a place reserved for those whose reputations are already intact.
“He did not say come after your reputation has been repaired. The key word was come, no matter what your situation, no matter what you are going through, just come,” he said.