“They Focused on My Gift, Not My Pain”: Kelontae Gavin Speaks Out on Abuse
Chart-topping gospel singer Kelontae Gavin is using his platform to address a critical issue within the church: the tendency to prioritize a person’s gifts over their emotional and spiritual well-being.
In an interview with The Christian Post, Gavin, who openly discusses his history of childhood se*ual abuse, emphasized the importance of addressing trauma within the church community.
“I was molested from five to 13 years old, which led me into a lifestyle of perversion,” he revealed. “It’s scary to be gifted in the Church because sometimes your gift can cloud the thing God really requires of you most, and that’s your heart.”
Gavin, who rose to fame after a viral video of him singing in his high school cafeteria, acknowledged that his early success came at a time when his personal life was far from aligned with his ministry. He emphasized the need for genuine transparency and authenticity within the church.
“We have to make sure that we’re doing what we do for the glory of God and our life aligns with our lips,” he said.
Gavin’s new single, “Hold Me Close,” has climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay Chart. Despite his past struggles, he attributes his success to God’s unwavering faithfulness.
“God is the only one… that can still use us but not fire us,” he declared.
Gavin strongly criticized the church’s tendency to overlook the impact of trauma on individuals, particularly in cases of se*ual abuse.
“We focus more so on the lifestyle of the person, we don’t want to sit down and have conversations,” he said. “Let’s stop the service, cut the microphones off, cut the lights on. Who touched you, or what’s your experience?”
He urged church leaders to prioritize genuine care and understanding over simply showcasing gifted individuals.
“Pastors, leaders, are you interested in who you’re bringing, that’s going to lead people into the knowingness and the truth of God?” he posed.
Gavin’s album, “The N.O.W. Experience,” will be released on March 5th.
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