RCCG General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye has reacted to a viral afro-gospel remix of the hymn ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus (No Turning Back)’ during the church’s 73rd Annual Convention at Redemption City, Ogun State.
The convention, themed “The Overcomers”, began on Monday and runs through Friday, August 9.
During his sermon on Day 2, the revered general overseer encouraged members to sing the song with “total determination” while calling on those who haven’t yet accepted Christ to do so without delay.
Speaking briefly about the now-viral remix by gospel artiste Gaise Baba, Adeboye said, “We are going to be singing a song that we used to sing when I was young and has now been made popular by somebody who, how would I call it, he remodelled it. It’s a song that says I have decided to follow Jesus. You’re going to sing it with total determination. Let it be your song for the rest of your life.”
Although Adeboye did not condemn the new version, his phrasing has stirred conversations online, especially in light of criticisms from other pastors and gospel music enthusiasts.
One of them, Pastor Kesiena Esiri of The Remnant Christian Network in Warri, cautioned that the remix lacked the depth and reverence of the original hymn.
In a sermon, he argued that the song had been stripped of its spiritual weight and transformed into mere entertainment.
Another cleric, whose video was shared widely online, criticised the song for placing more focus on rhythm and delivery than on the gospel message.
He questioned the spiritual intent behind the remix and suggested it was aimed more at popularity than edification.
In contrast, veteran gospel filmmaker Mike Bamiloye defended the song, noting that its impact among young believers showed the gospel was reaching new audiences.
He argued that the focus should be on the message it carried rather than the format it took.
Gaise Baba, who turned a year older on the same day Pastor Adeboye led the original version at the convention, expressed joy, calling it a divine birthday gift.
“God crowned my birthday last night with a most AMAZING GIFT. To Him be ALL the Glory!!!” he wrote.
