Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has opened up about her decision to stop attending church services, citing repeated unwanted advances from pastors as the main reason for her withdrawal from organised worship.
“I am not an atheist. I’m a Christian, and I used to be very active in church, but over time I realised that going to church alone doesn’t make you God’s favourite. It’s what you do behind closed doors that really matters,” she explained.
According to the actress, every congregation she joined eventually left her disillusioned after pastors made inappropriate overtures toward her. The experiences prompted her to shift her focus toward cultivating a personal relationship with God.
Martins said she made a vow to remain faithful to Him by living a life that aligns with her values and beliefs. She now expresses her devotion through private worship and charitable acts, which she credits for bringing her answered prayers.
“Since then, every time I go down on my knees, He answers,” she said, adding that while pastoral misconduct drove her away from church buildings, it strengthened her resolve to practise her faith in her own way.