Women had a beautiful time of refreshing and equipping for their specific calling during the Ministers’ Conference as they met at the Seminary Chapel on Wednesday September 11, 2024. The theme was ‘The Pastor’s Wife and Her Call to the Gospel Ministry’. The programme started at 8 o’clock in the morning with prayers led by Mrs Dorcas Olaleye after which a session of praises followed as led by Mrs Ruth Oparinde.

There were two main teachings and a theme message. The first teaching titled Tips for Effective Communication was delivered by Dr Mrs Folashade Oloyede. Some of the tips for effective communication as enumerated by Dr Oloyede included paying attention to what is said or written and how it is to be received by the audience, making judicious use of both verbal and non-verbal processes, being a person of integrity in communication and always remembering that God is the Source of communication.

Teaching on the Pastor’s wife and relationships with her husband and children; Mrs Taiwo Adetutu emphasised four dimensions of relationship between the Pastor’s wife and her husband. These are spiritual, financial, ministry and sexual dimensions. The pastor’s wife was admonished to be a good example to the children – nurturing and raising them in godly manners.

Rev. Dr Matthew Awujoola, the Conference President of Lagos East Baptist Conference was the Guest Minister for the theme message. He gave examples of pastors’ wives in the Bible such as Peter’s wife (I Cor. 9:5) and Priscilla (Acts 18:26). He explained that though no special titles or designated roles in ministry were given to them; they added much value to the gospel ministry and thus, serve as good examples for Nigerian Baptist Convention pastors wives. In order to fulfil God’s call upon their lives, Pastors wives were encouraged to pay attention to the following. Each minister’s wife is to:

• understand and appreciate her derivative ministry
• discover, develop, and deploy her spiritual gift(s)
• discern and accept her specific calling
• defend her husband and home with a life of effective prayer

Others who anchored one aspect or the other of the programme were Rev. Precious Oyebanji, Pastor Regina Nkeyui, Mrs Cecilia Ayuba, Rev. Lola Akano, Mrs Bosede Oyeniran, Dr Ayobami Ayanyinka, and Pastor Emmanuella Talla. The wives of the Seminary and Convention Presidents; Rev. Susan Ayankeye and Pastor Victoria Akanji were available to respond to some questions during the interactive session and they led in prayer sessions as well. The President of the Alumni Fellowship, Dr Yemisi Fatiloro and the Supervisor, of Women’s Training Centre, Dr Olukemi Adejuwon moderated over the programme. The programme was brought to a close at about 11:15am with closing prayers and benediction led by the wife of our Convention President, Pastor Mrs Victoria Akanji.