By 'Gbenga Bankole (The Gambia)
"God calls those He wants to use without prejudices to their race, class or gender. The Bible says, 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus' (Galatians 3:28, NKJV)," Wife of CAC President and Leader of the Christ Apostolic Church Ministers' Wives Fellowship, Nigeria and Overseas, Mrs. Susanna K. Oladele has said.
Mrs Oladele, speaking on the topic, The Virtuous Wife from the text, Proverbs 31:10-31 on Friday, April 14th, 2023 at the Christ Apostolic Church, The Gambia, disclosed that God called and still calls women directly into ministry "as He did Miriam (Exodus 15:20-21), Deborah - the wife of Lapidoth (Judges 4:4), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Anna (Luke 2:36-38), Priscilla who with her husband Acquila were celebrated teachers and missionaries (Acts 18:2 & 26, 1 Corinthians 16 and Romans 16)."
She added nonbiblical and contemporary examples to include Semple McPherson who founded the Foursquare Church, Kathryn Kulman, Joyce Meyer; and in C.A.C. Mrs Sophia Odunlami - whose Spiritual impact during the 1918 influenza pandemic remains indelible; Mrs O.O.A. PEARCE who taught many of our great Generals, and Evangelist Bola Are whose Christian testimony and consistency has remained an inspiration, noting that there are many God called indirectly and used mightily through the calling of their husbands like Sarah.
Speaking to women ministers and ministers' wives on purpose fulfillment, the wife of CAC President who stated that "ministry is the word that is used to describe our act of service," expressed that, "your ministry is first and foremost to God as a Christian, to your family (husband and children), the congregation over which your dear husband has been given charge and then to the Community where you live."
Expatiating the power and importance of women in the ministries of their husbands, the clergywoman said that, "just as a bolt is almost useless without a nut to compliment and complete it, so is your husband without you. The ribs combine to form a cage which protect some of the vital organs of man from being damaged - e.g. the heart, lungs."
She furthered that God has brought the women to play important and very strategic roles in the lives of their husbands, children, congregation and community.
"You are to be that good wife who represents God's 'signature of favour and grace' upon your husband. Therefore, you must endeavour to, among other things, Appreciate him. Honour him. Believe in his calling and greatness. Help him. Encourage him to do what is good, not evil. Tell him the Truth. Care for him. Understand him. Pray (intercede) for him. Play with him. Protect him. Hold him accountable. Complement him. Comfort him like Rebecca did Isaac. Add value to him and inspire him to be great and do great things," said Mrs. Oladele.
Speaking on strategic responsibilities to their husbands, she said, "be strategic like Ruth. While you are not to be unnecessarily possessive or overbearing, you must not allow him to be taken away from God or you by strange men or women or things. Don't allow yourself to be pushed to the background by new friends or alliances who may destroy your husband. Whereas it is a sin to cover up the ungodliness of your husband, you are not to expose him unnecessarily to ridicule, especially by unbelievers. If need be, report him to godly leaders or known accounting partners who are able to chastise, correct, rehabilitate and restore him to the faith."
To the children, Mrs. Oladele noted that "we need mothers like Hannah (1 Samuel 1:27-28), Lois and Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5) as well as Susanna Wesley who will raise their children to honour God in life and ministry" while she observed that to the church congregation, "you cannot be everything to everybody in the Church. Discover what God called you to do and do it sincerely, diligently and efficiently. However, stations differ from one another. So, you must seek to understand the peculiarity of each station where you are posted to serve and in order not to force your will upon the people."
On the women attitude to their surrounding communities, she expressed that "your Christian profession will be doubted if you are unable to get along with members of your community."
According to her, "being a mother goes beyond procreation, it includes being diligent, prudent, submissive, and obedient etc. You are to support your husband in ministry, not to lord it over him or the church which he is meant to oversee. Ensure that your husband stays within his calling, lives within his means and remains a blessing to the body of Christ and the world."
The programme had in attendance ministers' wives and women not only from Christ Apostolic Church, but other denominations in The Gambia. Questions and Answers session was handled by Mrs. J.T. Fasuyi, wife of CAC Missions Director and Secretary of Christ Apostolic Church Ministers' Wives Fellowship, Nigeria and Overseas. The Director of Youth Affairs, Pastor Samson O. Gbuyiro, Personal Assistant to the Missions Department, Pastor Ebenezer Adedigba, Head of Gambia Missions, Pastor Gideon Adeoye, Head of Sierra Leon Missions, Pastor Roland Adeyemi and Head of Liberia Missions, Pastor John Olufemi were all in attendance.
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