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| Pastor Stephen Olupona |
By Boluwatife Oparinde
The Guest Speaker of the Marriage Seminar hosted by Christ Apostolic Church Oke Iserere (Mount of Good Deed), Ado Road, Akure, Pastor Stephen Olupona has emphasized the need for patience in marriage and pre-marital relationships so as to avoid missing the will of God.
The three-hour seminar which crowned a one week programme scheduled to celebrate the five years anniversary of the church, was aimed at building godly homes and restoring broken marriages.
Pastor Olupona, who laid a foundation that the word of God should be read and taken as very important, stated that marriage is not a man-made or cultural institution but an orchestration and institution of God.
According to him, God instituted marriage because the togetherness of two Christians will be a formidable force against the devil; it is a strategic tool to confront the devil; and for procreation of children who would be like Him and be Kingdom armies (Psalms 127:3-5).
The cleric counselled that the unmarried should insist on marrying a Christian partner without negotiation, avoid filthiness of the body and spirit, flee fornication and must be psychologically prepared.
"It is better to have a late marriage and be successful in it than to be desperate and miss it. There's more to marriage than physical qualities," he said.
Pastor Olupona, who identified four things to be considered in marriage as Assurance of God's will, Parental and Pastoral consent, godly courtship and premarital counseling; also stated that the flesh, traditional beliefs and ethics against the will of God, ignorance and distance, are enemies of marriage.
The marriage minister concluded that constant family altar, team work and parental adoption are characteristics of a home where God dwells.
Meanwhile, the five years anniversary, held at the church auditorium, was characterized by three days revival; an inspirational Praise Evening with ministrations by the Sax Prophet and Lady Evang. Kolawole and Word Feast anchored by Pastor Olatuya.
At the grandfinale and thanksgiving service which held on Saturday, October 30th 2021, the host minister, Evangelist Kolawole Amos excitedly welcomed other ministers such as Evangelist Ayegbo Olaoluwa, Evangelist Isaac Abidakun and Evangelist Isaac Adegbite to the thanksgiving service full of praise and prayer.
