Popular cleric Apostle Harrison Anyintete has stirred debate online after publicly responding to singer Skales’ recent testimony about the resurgence of his hit song Shake Body.
Entertainment Reporter recalls that Skales, while speaking at Harvesters Church, shared how his prayers were answered “in one day” after Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal posted a video of himself dancing to Shake Body, causing the song to go viral again years after its release.
However, Apostle Anyintete has faulted the decision to showcase the testimony in church, insisting that the issue is not personal but spiritual and doctrinal.
In a lengthy statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) page, the cleric made it clear that his concern was directed at Skales’ local church, not the singer himself.
“Dear @youngskales, since you reached me privately, you and I don’t have a relationship so I don’t think we should have a private chat,” he wrote.
According to the apostle, the testimony failed to promote spiritual growth or maturity among believers.
“The issue is really about your local church. I honestly think they shouldn’t project your testimony on SHAKE BODY, it doesn’t enable spiritual growth, devotion or maturity,” he stated.
He further argued that the testimony does not inspire godly values and could send the wrong signal, especially to younger people within the Christian community.
“Your testimony does not inspire godliness,” he added.
While stressing that he has no personal issues with Skales, Anyintete maintained that presenting success linked to music he described as promoting immorality as a church testimony sets a dangerous precedent.
“If your music that promoted immorality has succeeded, your church shouldn’t have projected that as testimony. It will only make more younger people do immoral music and immoral things while seeking God’s blessings on it. It is the very wrong example,” he warned.
The cleric, however, acknowledged Skales’ right to enjoy the fruits of his labour and clarified that he would have had no objection if the testimony had been shared on the singer’s personal platform.
“I believe you have the right to enjoy the fruit of your labour, it is your labour. If you gave that testimony on your own platform, it is really not my business,” he said.
Apostle Anyintete concluded by urging churches to be more discerning about what they present as testimonies to believers.
“I hope your local church can do better with what they project as testimonies to saints else we will have more people projecting ungodly things and mixing it with godliness.”
The comment has since sparked intense reactions online, with many Nigerians divided over the role of the church in celebrating success stories linked to secular entertainment.