A pastor’s wife should be a role model — Pastor (Mrs) Akinpelu

Pastor (Mrs) Akinpelu Olumide Temitayo, is the wife of Reverend Ademola Akinpelu of Fresh Grace Ministries, Ibadan, Oyo State. She is also a Secondary School Principal, in Oyo State. In this interview with OLAIDE SOKOYA, she speaks on the challenges.

Tell us briefly about your background

I am a pastor, I am married to Reverend Ademola  Akinpelu, of Fresh Grace Ministries. We have four kids. I am a teacher and a vice principal as well. I went to St. Louis Primary and Secondary school, Ikere Ekiti and later proceeded to the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University for my degree and later proceeded to International College of Ministry(ICM).

As a young lady, did you foresee that you would marry a pastor?

As a young person, I was all out for the Lord anyway, even during my service year in Maiduguri.  I was also involved in the church work as a choir, so in way or the other, I knew my life will actually end up in a divine yard; I don’t have a life outside from church anyway.

What are some of  the challenges you have faced and how have you been able to overcome them?

My parents did not want me to get married to my husband initially; they did’t believe in anyone understand by telling them what you want to do is the will of God; getting married to a pastor then was not acceptable to them, so, I had a difficult challenge before God finally intervened.

What do you think is the responsibility of a pastor’s wife based on your experience so far?

A pastor’s wife has a lot of responsibilies because aside taking care of the man, you have to show the responsibility of the church and carry the church on your shoulder.  Also, a pastor wife must be very prayerful because everything actually rests on prayer because if a pastor’s wife is not prayerful, things won’t work within the family and in the church as well.

Do you have any regrets marrying your husband?

Not at all. The journey is a beautiful one, full of challenges but if you are prayerful you are able to overcome all the challenges.

You are a mother, pastor’s  wife and a teacher. How do you combine all without friction?

It is just by the grace of God. Because we are divided into too many parts and we have to perform our duties. So, I am able to combine everything successfully by the grace of God.

You are a mother of 4 girls how do you cope because some think it’s difficult to train girls?

Bringing up children depends on the will and grace of God. Children come out differently: different temperaments, different behaviours.  So, there is no hard and fast rule as to how to train children. Every child is peculiar but if you look up to God for wisdom to take care of the children, He will give it to you. I pray and commit my children into the hands of God. One day, my greatest joy came when the four of them came to me and said “Mummy, when we grow up, we want to be like you” That was the day my life was fulfilled.

As a pastor wife and a leader of women groups in the church, how do you preach love and unity to the congregation?

I am a Christian and I am also in the church like every other person; that is the most important one. They see me as their leader; I know many of them see me as their role model. So, I try as much as possible to give and lay a good example that they will be proud of.  As  mummy G.O,  your life should be such that people can emulate. You shouldn’t be one thing in the church and another thing outside. In other words, we have one life, no double standard of living. So I have a role to play in the church, especially to the women.

What do you love most in your husband and what would you like to change about him?

I love the grace of God over his life and for the work he is doing. I also love him because he is a real Christian. Concerning what I would love to change in him, on one is perfect; I pray God should give him the spirit of patience.

How do you unwind, despite your busy scheduled?

I sleep for few hours anytime I am tired because am involved in so many things and when I wake up, I am refreshed.

What is your advice to all women?

I would urge them to be a good Christian and true children. If you have given your life to Jesus, let them see the symbol of Christ in you. It does not matter whatever appellation you are bearing. How do we know? The bible says by their fruits, we shall know them. Let your life reflect Christ and every other things follow.