Nigerian comedian and actor AY Makun has explained why he stopped attending church services, saying his experiences in church communities pushed him to worship online.

The 54-year-old shared his story on Instagram. He said his decision had nothing to do with losing faith. Instead, personal experiences in two churches influenced his choice.

Social Media Rumours Drove Him Away

Makun said negative stories about him on social media made it difficult for him to continue attending his former church.

“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.

Public discussions about his personal life, he said, made church attendance uncomfortable.

“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.”

To avoid the attention, the comedian occasionally chose to worship online instead of attending services in person.

A New Church Experience

Hoping for a fresh start, Makun later joined another church. Members welcomed him warmly and made him feel at home.

“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.

That positive experience did not last. Church leaders later reviewed his planned involvement in a programme.

“After some internal discussions, I was told I would no longer be participating because of concerns about public perception surrounding me,” he said.

According to Makun, the decision came as a surprise after the warm reception he received during his early visits.

His Message to the Church

While reflecting on the experience, Makun stressed that he was not attacking pastors or church leaders. He said his concern centred on the church’s role in helping people during difficult moments.

“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.

Beyond his personal experience, the actor challenged churches to remain places of grace and understanding.

“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 people facing challenges should feel free to seek comfort in God’s house.

“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.