I don’t advise marriage outside a person’s religious affiliation —Pastor (Mrs) Owa

Pastor (Mrs) Christiana Owa is the wife of the renowned cleric, Reverend Peter Folorunsho Owa of Christ Revival Miracle Center (CREMIC), Ibadan, Oyo State. She speaks with OLAIDE SOKOYA on her experience as a pastor’s wife and why there is an increase in cases of divorce. Excerpts:

DID you become a pastor by virtue of your husband’s influence?

It’s two-sided. I received my calling from God and I also identify with my husband.

How did you receive your calling?

I went to a Bible school at Ayobo, under the Deeper Life Church founded by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi. One day, I heard a voice say, “My father has sent me, so I send you.” The voice sounded very vivid and I have held on to it ever since. So, I said to myself, ‘God has sent Christ, so he has called me. Who am I not to obey? I cannot separate my calling from that of my husband and I have to respect the order of God in my marriage. We have been living and working together as one.

How long have you been married?

I got married in 1978, as such, we would have been married for 39 years this year.

How did you meet your husband?

I don’t know if he met me or I met him; we met each other anyway. We met during a church programme and he said he wanted to see me. When we eventual met after some days, he just told me that God said I would be his wife. As for me, I didn’t believe in the phrase, “God said,” due to my background which was to only pray and read the Bible. So, I told him to forget it. However, it came to pass.

How would you describe your marital experience over the past thirty-eight years?

There are no marriages without challenges, but we thank God because God has been faithful and has been holding us strong till this moment. Our first five years was full of challenges; we didn’t have a child and a lot of things happened. I faced much ridicule, even in the house of the Lord; there were so many misinterpretations and misconceptions but God has remained faithful.

What is your view on people of different religions getting married?

The Bible states in 1st and 2nd Corinthians, chapter six, that “do not be equally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship has righteousness and unrighteousness and what communion has light and darkness has together?” 2Corinthians 6:14 states: “Can two work together unless they agree?” Getting married to someone of a different religion can never work; there will be disagreements. I always counsel young people close to me not to marry outside their religion. We have to be very careful and stick with what the scripture stipulates. Even the Israelites were warned not to marry those that surrounded them because of differences in beliefs. People shouldn’t marry outside their religious beliefs.

Divorce rates seem to be on the rise in recent times. What do you think is responsible?

It is as a result of lack of good foundation which a marriage is supposed to have. Some people get married just because their brothers or sisters are married. There is no proper preparation. Marriage is not about competition. Such improper marital unions end in divorce because the couple lack God’s counsel. You have to love your spouse unconditionally. Unlike the times of old when it was more or less forbidden for someone who was once married to return to his/her parents’ house, nowadays, things have changed. Before anything happens, a person will move out of the marital abode. A lot of things have been taken for granted and society is facing the repercussion.

What do you love most about your husband?

That question is very crucial. I love everything about him

What would you wish to change about him?

I wish the Holy Spirit will do that because I can’t change anything in him.

What is your advice for couples?

My advice to couples is to hold on to their marriage vows, agree, talk and reason together on issues. Strive to keep the home strong so that the society can be a better place.