The Presiding Pastor of Master’s Place International Church, Pastor Korede Komaiya, has clarified his recent controversial remarks, stressing that love, care and responsibility, not material wealth, are the true forces that attract people to leadership and ministry.

Komaiya made the clarification in a video message titled “This Is the Foundation: To Raise Leaders, Love People”, which was released amid growing public criticism of his earlier statement that he would “never follow a poor pastor.”

The controversial remark came during a sermon, where Pastor Komaiya was addressing issues surrounding leadership, accountability, and the standards expected of church leaders.

Many have taken to social media to react to his comments, with opinions divided. Some critics accused the pastor of promoting materialism, while supporters argued that the statement was taken out of context.

In the new video, the cleric emphasised that his philosophy of leadership is anchored on love, inclusion and welfare, particularly for those serving in his ministry.

He pointed to long-standing practices within his church where staff members are publicly recognised for years of service and rewarded with tangible benefits, including properties.

According to him, the conventional employer–employee relationship does not apply in his ministry.

The pastor disclosed that all staff members of the church enjoy comprehensive welfare packages, including full scholarships for their children, complete healthcare coverage, free accommodation and regular vehicle replacement every four years.

He said, “How many times have we been here for meetings and you see all over, people being acknowledged for unbroken years of service? How many years have properties been given to people here? People must feel they belong.

“In our ministry, I don’t believe in employee and employer; I only want stakeholders in our ministry.

The concept of employer–employee does not apply in our own ministry and, to the glory of God, following this same example, all our staff are on church scholarship. I mean anyone who is a staff of the ministry, all their children are on church scholarship, education we pay for it, health 100 per cent, any health crisis, our ministry pays for it.

“There’s no deduction in salary, accommodation is free, and we change your cars every four years. As you rise in leadership, you go abroad once a year.”
Komaiya explained that these measures reflect the ministry’s belief that leadership must be people-centred and sacrificial.

“Last December, we paid the salary, paid the 13th-month salary, and we still pay 50 per cent as a bonus.
“It is important for you to know that nothing attracts people like loving them,” he reiterated.