Tomi Arayomi, the founder of RIG Nation and Pioneers Church, courageously shared his deeply personal journey of healing and deliverance from the trauma of childhood sexual abuse and subsequent struggles with addiction. At the tender age of five, Arayomi experienced sexual molestation at the hands of a family friend, an event that immediately instilled profound feelings of shame and confusion within him. This abuse continued for a period, leaving young Arayomi feeling trapped and fearful. The weight of this secret was compounded by a news report about homosexuality and his mother’s subsequent reaction, which led him to believe he was destined for hell. This internalized condemnation further fueled his shame and confusion. A defining moment of resistance came when he finally found the courage to refuse the abuser, pushing him away and fleeing in tears, unsure of where he was running, only that he needed to escape.
While his conversion to Christianity brought a sense of affirmation and a new identity, the unresolved trauma from his childhood abuse lingered beneath the surface. He believed this new spiritual beginning would erase the past, creating a stark separation between the “shameful five-year-old” and the “new Tomi Arayomi.” However, the deep-seated wounds manifested in different ways. Arayomi recounts grappling with sexual identity and engaging in promiscuity, almost as a way to disprove the impact of the abuse. This struggle was further complicated by an introduction to pornography by a school teacher, which quickly spiraled into an addiction. The very thing he sought solace in became another form of bondage, suppressing the underlying trauma instead of healing it. He carried this secret for years, concealing it from his parents and even his twin brother, further isolating himself in his pain.
The weight of this secret intensified as Arayomi and his twin brother entered ministry as ordained pastors in their teens. The public persona of a prophetic pastor clashed sharply with the internal struggle he faced with sexual sin, identity, and the unresolved trauma of his lost innocence. The pressure to maintain a flawless image amplified his internal conflict, widening the chasm between his public facade and private turmoil. The demanding nature of ministry, coupled with the growing recognition he received, served to exacerbate the existing cracks in his emotional and spiritual foundation, turning them into deep craters. This duality between the perceived and the real created a constant state of anxiety and internal pressure. He felt trapped between the expectations placed upon him and the reality of his personal struggles.
In a courageous move towards transparency and healing, Arayomi decided to confront his past by writing a book titled “Sex Talk.” This book, raw and honest, detailed his struggles with sexual sin and the trauma he had endured. He aimed to expose his mess rather than letting it control him, a bold declaration of his intent to face his demons head-on. While apprehensive about his mother discovering the contents of the book, he recognized the importance of owning his story. This act of writing became a crucial step in his healing journey, allowing him to articulate the experiences that had haunted him for so long. The book also served as a form of self-accountability, forcing him to confront the issues he had long suppressed. He was not waiting to be caught; he was actively catching himself, taking ownership of his struggles and choosing to address them.
The turning point in Arayomi’s journey came during his first sermon, poignantly titled “Pastor’s Confessions.” At the young age of 18, he stood before a packed congregation, including his unsuspecting mother, and unveiled the deepest secrets of his past. Driven by a divine prompting, he recounted the details of his childhood abuse, the subsequent struggles, and the ongoing battle with shame. Overwhelmed by the weight of the moment, he wept openly as he shared his story. The presence of his mother, initially a source of anxiety, became a catalyst for his emotional release. As he ministered, he experienced a profound sense of deliverance, a release from the burden he had carried for so long. This act of public confession, though terrifying, became a pivotal moment of healing and breakthrough.
The impact of Arayomi’s vulnerability reverberated through the congregation. His raw honesty triggered an unexpected wave of confession and deliverance among those present. Individuals, some holding positions of leadership within the church, came forward to acknowledge their own struggles with homosexuality and other hidden sins. The atmosphere was charged with raw emotion, as people wept openly and cried out for God’s intervention. The church became a sanctuary of shared brokenness and collective healing, a space where masks were removed and authentic vulnerability was embraced. It was a moment devoid of pretense and religious platitudes, replaced by genuine cries for help and a palpable sense of God’s presence. This spontaneous outpouring of confession highlighted the power of vulnerability to create space for others to confront their own hidden struggles.
While Arayomi acknowledged that his confession didn’t instantly eradicate his struggles with addiction, it marked a crucial turning point in his healing journey. The act of sharing his story publicly broke the chains of shame that had bound him for so long. The weight of secrecy was lifted, replaced by a sense of freedom and self-acceptance. His mother’s embrace and affirmation further solidified the power of vulnerability and the importance of familial support in the healing process. Although the road to complete freedom was still ahead, this act of courage set him on a path towards wholeness and restoration. The transparency he demonstrated not only initiated his personal healing but also created a ripple effect, empowering others to confront their own hidden struggles and find solace in shared vulnerability.
