Mrs. Susanna K. Oladele
The Chairperson of Christ Apostolic Church, Worldwide, Ministers' Wives Fellowship, Mrs. Susanna K. Oladele has said anyone who wants to keep growing in Christ, must stay rooted in Him.
Mrs. Oladele stated this at the just concluded CAC 49th Ministers' Wives Conference held at Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State. The theme of the conference is "Growing in Grace and Knowledge of God" with the text taking from 1st Peter 3:15-18.
She noted that spiritual growth is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ, explaining that when we gave our lives to Christ, we became engrafted (planted) into the family of God.
"Like little babies, we began to get nourishment from the body of Christ (the Church) through the ministry of other believers who are growing too, being nourished by the vine Himself. However, a time comes when we are expected to begin to give back to others (Ministry) within the body (Fellowship) as well as outside the body of Christ (Evangelism). Our growth cannot be achieved in isolation but in the community of believers, where Holy Spirit begins the process of making us more like God and conforming us to His image. We are enabled to live a life of godliness by the power of God which is in us (Acts 1:8)," she said.
According to her, we are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord through in-depth study of the Bible, prevailing and spiritual worship, adding that our growth must be deliberate, focused, and continuous (2 Peter 3:18).
Mrs. Oladele said to keep growing in Christ, we must stay rooted in Him, quoting John chapter 15 verse 5 which says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
"Our growth will show in the way that we live, our Character, Conduct and Association; it will show in our manner of communication at home with our husband, children and relatives; in the Church with those whom the Lord has given us the privilege to lead; and in the community with believers and non believers alike (Matthew 5:16, Acts 1:8.). It will reflect in our disposition of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control among other virtues which distinguishes a Christian from others (Galatians 5:22-26)," she explained.
On what shall be the evidence of our growth, Mrs. Oladele said fruits are definite evidences of growth, quoting Galatians chapter 5 verse 22 to 26 which said "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
She concluded that, "we must change our outlook from things to God. It is in so doing that we begin to grow more and more like Him.As mothers, we must stand strong in the place of prayer to ward off every dart of the devil that aimed at us, our family and ministry to which Church God has given us the privilege to belong-Christ Apostolic Church."
The first batch of the conference which had participants from Adelaja, Babalola, Orogun, Mediayese, Orekoya, Sophia-Ajayi and Odubanjo Regions was held from Wednesday 11 to Friday 13, May, 2022, while the second and last batch had participants from Akinyele, Akilling, Babajide, Essien, Odusona, Olutimehin and Pearce Regions.
The conference had in attendance the President of the church, Pastor Samuel O. Oladele, General Superintendent, Pastor Emmanuel O. Odejobi and his wife, Mrs. Mariam Odejobi; General Evangelist, Prophet Hezekiah O. Oladeji and his wife, Mrs. Esther Oladeji; wife of General Secretary, Mrs. Fedilia Mapur; wife of Finance Director, Mrs. Victoria Omitinde; wife of Missions Director, Mrs. Titilayo Fasuyi; Chairman of Ministers' Wives Fellowship Board, Pastor J.A. Asekere and many others.