Growing Up?
I was born in Lagos, on Wednesday, September 27, 1950 to the Numa family of Ekiugbo, Ughelli, Delta State. I started my early life education at Anglican Primary School, but had to completed it at the Regan Memorial Baptist Girls Primary School, Yaba, Lagos in 1964. After that I attended the Regan Memorial Baptist Secondary School, also, in Yaba, Lagos, before going to study Secretarial Studies.
Leaving school, Pastor Omobude had a stint with Tamaco Company Limited, Lagos, between 1971-73 where she garnered experience as a leader. To equip herself for God’s work, Mama enrolled to GLIM Bible College in 1990 and upon graduating take to lecturing Music and other courses in a Bible College.
What were your interesting moments while growing up?
It was music, I grew up developing interest in music and singing in the church choir under the leadership of Akin Bankole, and Ayo Bankole, both now late. Ayo Bankole was my choirmasters, but the duo made music interesting to me. I grew up in a close knit family, where aside from loving one another and imbibing the virtue of hard work, we were taught to respect our elders; and our parents had quality time with us. There was no discrimination between the boys and the girls, we were all treated equally and value one another.
How did you meet your husband?
Oh, we met in the Church of God Mission, Iyaro Branch; he was the Pastor, while I was in the choir. I never thought I would marry a pastor or even be one; it never came across my mind because my dad was not a born again.
How long have you been married?
We are married since December 3, 1977.
How is it marring a pastor?
It’s been very wonderful. Marriage is about companionship; it’s about accommodating each other and reasoning together. It’s about letting go and letting God in everything, because sometimes you may be thinking this way while God may want it in the opposite direction. I wouldn’t say everything is always easy, because two different persons from different backgrounds and tribes are involved, and definitely, they can’t behave alike; but because it is built on Christ Jesus we are able to reach an agreement.
My husband came from a big family and he made me know this right from the beginning.
Are there any challenges being a pastor’s wife?
There are a lot of challenges. For instance, when something happens in the church and my husband is not around, I would always stand as the rallying point. I also coordinate the women and support his ministry.
What role challenges you most as a pastor’s wife?
It is home prayers; I love women that can pray. If believers can get God’s presence, then they can talk with him. What is lacking in many believers’ prayer altars is the place of worship. We need to really worship God before we make any request. I love to see a church worship God with all their hearts.
How are you combining your role in the ministry with that of being a GO’s wife?
The Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” I have been able to combine both because of my upbringing. If you are going to excel in the ministry you must be ready to listen to your husband, because if people know you to be rude to him, they won’t listen to you. Before you do anything let your husband know of it because if he gives the go ahead, heaven too will back you up. To excel in the ministry, women must learn to listen to their husbands. Another thing is prayer, I don’t play with it in my house; we hold it every morning and evening. Lastly, God has given us good people that make up our team.
In what ways are you complementing your husband?
I have been of help, especially in areas of prayers for his ministry, the family and the entire church. Secondly, I am always with the choir, partaking in all their activities — fasting, praying and rehearsals. Another area of note is organising the women and carrying out programmes, including going to the mission field, which we do twice a month and also the Gospel Light Campus Fellowship started about 10 years ago that is targeted at winning the youth for Christ.
What can other women learn from you?
Prayers and through the fellowship I organise for female ministers and pastor’s wives every first Saturday of the month, I have been able to touch lives. God has been using me to settle disputes in homes, empower women with skills on how to make bread, cakes, hats and others and as well mentor women to be of help to their husbands and bring out the best in them. Our camp meeting holds once in a year, the next one will run from August 29 to 31, 2013.
But why is divorce rate still high with marriage trainings in the church?
Well we strongly believe in one man, one wife; and teach our young ladies that any man they marry remains their partner in life. This is why we talk about praying very well before going into marriage. We take a very strong stand on marriage and by the grace of God, we have programmes that mentor young ladies on how to keep their marriages, handle misunderstanding at home and other family issues.
Do you still have time for the home front?
Yes, I cook for my husband whenever I’m around and also create quality time for him and other members of the family. If you don’t have time for your husband what are you going to tell God. Some people claimed to be too busy in the ministry, leaving their husbands to suffer, which is not Godly; because your husband is your first assignment after Jesus Christ. You must make sure that the man eats well, dress well and the house must be conducive for him. You too should be able to fulfill your ministry.
What’s your view on the saying, ‘women are to be seen not heard?
Deborah was a woman and she led soldiers to war in Israel. She was even the one that told Barack what God said. People are always misinterpreting Apostle Paul, when he said ‘women should keep silence when they come to church.’ Go and study the book of Corinthians, you will know what happened and why Paul made that statement. But generally, women are involved in productive work for God in the choir, preaching the word and doing exploit for Him.
Advise to womenfolk?
Whatever God lays in your heart as a woman do it with all your strength, do not cut corners and you will excel. My believe is that if women are given the opportunity to run the government, they will do it better, because when a woman wants to do anything, she would want you to know that she can do it; and if she has her husband support then it becomes excellent.
How can Nigeria harness the strength of its youth for greater productivity?
This takes us back to the foundation. A nation starts from the family, if the home is not in order, the nation will never have peace. If a father beats his wife in the presence of the children, I don’t know what he wants the children to be. When we see people manipulating and embezzling public fund, I don’t know what type of examples we are setting for the youth. From the home parents should inculcate godly virtues into their children. If Christians could imbibe godly virtues in their congregations our society will be the better for it. We should base everything on merit and love. The place of love is very crucial, it is the place of doing to others what you want them to do to you.
How can we protect our girls from adventurous men?
If people that fear of God are in position of power, they will see these girls as their own daughters. But I would want our girls to see themselves as people of values. The problem is, most of them want to cut corners, take life the easy way. Parents should not leave their girls alone; they should groom them in godly way, monitor them and be mindful of the type of friends they keep. We should teach them self-contentment, which has great gains.
Advise for the womenfolk?
Whatever God lays in your heart as a woman do it with all your strength, do not cut corners and you will excel. My believe is that if women are given the opportunity to run the government, they will do it better, because when a woman wants to do anything, she would want you to know that she can do it; and if she has her husband support then it becomes excellent.
Author of this article: AYOYINKA OLAGOKE
Culled from the Guardian Newspaper
No comments:
Post a Comment