Veteran gospel filmmaker and founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, Mike Bamiloye, has waded into the ongoing debate over the viral gospel track Never Going Back by Gaise Baba and Lawrence Oyor, strongly defending its message and relevance for today’s youth.
The song, which fuses Yoruba folk rhythms, Afrobeats flair, and a bold declaration of faith, has sparked widespread conversation online, racking up over 4 million streams across digital platforms. While many have celebrated its catchy tune and compelling gospel message, some Christian voices have criticized the artists’ appearances and performance style—citing Gaise Baba’s colorful hair, Lawrence Oyor’s headband, and the energetic dancing in the music video.
But Bamiloye, known for decades of work using drama and film to spread the gospel, sees things differently.
In a heartfelt social media post, he called on believers to move beyond surface-level critiques and instead focus on the power of the song’s message. “Teenagers and young adults today are some of the most difficult people to reach with the gospel,” he wrote. “They are constantly bombarded with content that glamorizes immorality and emptiness. So why condemn a song that boldly centers on Jesus and transformation?”
Bamiloye pointed to lyrics like “Ife Jesu lo wa mi ri, to gbami ku o”—translated as “The love of Jesus sought me, found me, and died for me”—as a simple yet profound expression of salvation that young people can relate to.
He warned that dismissing such creative expressions of faith could push youth further away from the church and deeper into secular culture. “Not every gospel singer will sound like Dunsin Oyekan or Nathaniel Bassey,” he noted. “We must allow for diverse sounds and styles that can speak to different generations—especially those who live on social media and speak the language of the street.”
The evangelist acknowledged that some believers may be uncomfortable with modern stylistic choices but reminded them that Jesus Himself met people where they were. “Let us not shut the door to a song that could be leading thousands to surrender their lives to Christ,” he said.
Bamiloye concluded by urging the Christian community to pray that songs like Never Going Back will continue to draw young people toward Jesus. “When we criticize such music, we risk silencing one of the few tools speaking the gospel in a language the next generation truly understands.”
