MONROVIA — Promise M. Fernandez, Chief Executive Officer of Rainbow Global, has waded into one of the most debated topics in Liberian churches today: whether secular or “worldly” music should be used in Christian worship.
In a strongly worded statement released this week, Fernandez argued that songs originating from secular musicians have no place on the altar of God, no matter how “spiritual” the lyrics may sound.
His comments come as many churches across West Africa experiment with contemporary sounds, covers of popular songs, and collaborations that blur the line between gospel and mainstream music.
Fernandez framed the issue as part of what he called “Unequal Yoking Syndrome” in modern Christianity — the tendency of believers to want both God’s kingdom and the world’s culture.
“One of the problems we face in Christianity is the ‘Unequal Yoking Syndrome.’ We want to identify with God’s kingdom while finding reasons to justify our association with the world,” he said.
He pointed to scripture to back his position, saying the Christian life requires a clear separation.
“You are either light or darkness. You are either the salt of the earth or you lose your taste. Scripture has made this clear repeatedly,” Fernandez stated
“A song from a worldly musician should have no place on the altar of God, regardless of the lyrics,” he said.
“In the kingdom of God, we are not concerned merely about the product — we are concerned about the source of the product. We are not focused only on spiritual gifts but on spiritual fruits. We are not impressed by anointing alone but by what is fueling that anointing
Fernandez also addressed Christians who support using secular songs in worship. He suggested many are still attached to habits from before they came to faith.
“Many people in this situation are still haunted by their former lifestyle,” he explained. “They once listened to and danced to secular music, and after coming to Christ, they seek ways to justify it and make it appear acceptable. But it is not normal, and we refuse to settle for it.”
The Rainbow Global CEO argued that this compromise weakens discernment and makes the church more susceptible to cultural pressure than to Holy Spirit leadership
He closed with an appeal for believers to allow the Holy Spirit to shape their convictions about music, entertainment, and worship.A slight ‘Yes’ to the world is a big ‘No’ to God,” Fernandez said. “Allow the Holy Spirit to convict and consecrate you, and your eyes will see Him more clearly.
Music plays a central role in Liberian church life. From choir anthems to praise and worship teams, sound and rhythm are key to how congregations express faith. In recent years, some churches have adopted popular Afrobeats, hip-hop, and dancehall beats — sometimes with rewritten Christian lyrics — to reach younger audiences.
Supporters say it makes the gospel more relevant and accessible. Critics, like Fernandez, argue it risks importing values and influences that contradict biblical holiness.
That tension has sparked heated discussions on radio, social media, and in church meetings across Monrovia and beyond. Pastors, musicians, and youth leaders are asking: where is the line between cultural relevance and spiritual compromise?
Fernandez’s remarks add a strong voice to the “holiness” side of the debate. He is not calling for silence or for the church to abandon creativity. Rather, he is calling for intentionality about where inspiration comes from
The discussion is not unique to Liberia. Across Africa and globally, churches are wrestling with how to engage culture without being consumed by it. Questions about dress, dance, language, and now music are all part of that.
What makes Fernandez’s intervention notable is his framing of the issue as a matter of spiritual source. By shifting the focus from “does this song sound Christian” to “who produced this song and what spirit is behind it,” he is urging believers to look deeper.
He also reminded Christians that gifts and talents are not the same as character and fruit. A catchy melody or a powerful performance, he implied, is not proof of God’s approval
As the conversation continues, Fernandez is calling the church back to what he sees as first principles: separation, discernment, and consecration.
“A slight ‘Yes’ to the world is a big ‘No’ to God,” he repeated. For him, that applies directly to the playlist on Sunday morning.
Whether churches in Liberia and across West Africa will heed that call remains to be seen. But with leaders like Fernandez speaking out, the debate over secular music in worship is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
