Renowned preacher and musician Joseph Hellon has opened up about the turbulent times his church faced in 2010 when former KTN anchor Esther Arunga left her job to become fully engaged in his ministry.
In a recent interview on the Iko Nini Podcast, Hellon addressed inquiries about accountability for Arunga’s unfortunate trajectory during her time in his church.
“I take full responsibility for everything that happened to Esther Arunga while she was under my ministry,” Hellon said. “I was her spiritual leader, and I should have done more to protect her.”
Hellon said that he was initially hesitant to allow Arunga to leave her job and join his ministry. He knew that she was talented and had a bright future ahead of her, but he also believed that she had a calling to serve God.
“I felt like I was being led by God to ask her to join my ministry,” Hellon said. “I thought that she could use her gifts to reach a lot of people.”
However, Hellon said that he quickly realized that he had made a mistake. Arunga struggled to adjust to life in the church, and she soon became isolated from her friends and family.
“I should have been more aware of her needs,” Hellon said. “I should have made sure that she had a support system in place.”
Hellon said that he is still haunted by what happened to Arunga. He knows that he could have done more to help her, and he is deeply sorry for her pain.
“I hope that by speaking out, I can help other people who are in similar situations,” Hellon said. “I want them to know that they are not alone, and that there is help available.”
Arunga’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind faith. It is important to remember that even the most respected leaders can make mistakes. If you are ever in a situation where you feel like you are being taken advantage of, please reach out for help. There are people who care about you and want to protect you.