Why women will always be many in church —Olagunju

Prophetess Oluwafumilayo Elizabeth Olagunju is the wife of the founder, Christ Apostolic Church Power of God Saves (Worldwide) and the Christ City of Peace Evangelical Ministry (CCOPEM), Prophet Moses Olagunju. In this interview with OLAIDE SOKOYA, she speaks on the importance of pastors’ wives supporting their husbands’ ministries and roles women play in the vineyard. Excerpts:

Do you see women working in the vineyard as a matter of right or God’s privilege?

Everything under the sun  both living and non-living working is under God’s grace or privilege. No one has the right to his or her own life, except the creator. I would say that we are all functioning under the throne of grace. The roles women play in the church are very vital. Sentiments apart, women are versatile and committed when they are willing to do or achieve something. This is why you see most cleric’s wives or women as ministers of God, workers or even member’s always show their enthusiasm and are passionate working for God. It is not as if women didn’t function from the altar in the Old Testament, but it was not common. Deborah joined a war

: that could also be described a ministerial work. At present, we are  in the covenant of grace, because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This has given women total liberty to sit and fully work as a minister’s of God.

Do you think women as ministers of God are enough in the vineyard?

We are not enough; I believe heaven and God in His majesty will be delighted to see more people, especially women doing His will by propagating the gospel. We need more individuals to give their totality to Christ and also to win souls. It is true that women are many in churches, but it is not about the multitude. We need more genuine and Godly people who will lead people in the way of the Lord.

What is your experience like as a church leader’s wife and minister of God?

They are enormous and of mixed feelings. The experience has been challenging and exciting. Meanwhile, I have been able to push, as well as give my husband, who is visionary, maximum support through determination and divine grace.

You are a wife, mother and a minister of God. How have you been able to combine all without clash?

It has been God. My work as a minister of God was limited when the children were small, but that doesn’t stop me from supporting the ministry in prayers and some commitments. Most times, I shuttle between home responsibilities and that of the vine-yard. But now that the children are grown ups, I am fully in the ministry and an all-round pastor. I just want to urge all the wife of the ministers of God to double their efforts in prayers and responsibilities for their husbands and the church at large, as well as always see the calling as a collective responsibility.

Would you encourage any of your children to become a cleric?

The work of God is totally different from other obligations. It will be a waste of time if we encourage them when God didn’t call them. God has designed their lives and all we need is to guide and teach them the way of the Lord, Though, there are traces that one of them is toeing in our path and we have been able to give maximum encouragement and the needed support. God owns them and who are mine to stop them from working in the vine-yard or eventually become a full time pastor.

How have you been able to manage women in the church?

It takes divine wisdom to manage people generally, because we are unpredictable. According to the popular saying ‘it is an easy task managing women.’ not to say otherwise. This is because they are all – rounder and they have lots of responsibilities, including career life, home fronts, child bearing, among other duties. I have always instilled in the minds of women that (women) own the home, but our husbands remain the head. They must always support the home with prayers and with everything God put in their capacity.

Would you say that what you have highlighted is one of the main reasons women form the bulk population in churches?

Yes. This is one of the reasons I respect women most. They make a lot of commitment and also support men in the growth of the church; you find us virtually in all departments of the church. Aside there is no woman that doesn’t want peace for her home; this is why you see them mostly in all prayer meetings. They are always concerned of the home, progress and protection of the family, especially the children. Some of them even spend days and even months in churches and Prayer Mountains all because of their husbands, children and home at large.

What is your advice on how Nigerians can overcome the current challenges?

Everybody is feeling the pinch of the current situation. What we all need is prayer for the restoration of the nation. We must all persevere in whatever situation we find ourselves and be hopeful for a better Nigeria. This can only be achieved through fervent prayer and living a righteous life.