The founder, Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has urged Christian couples and the society in general, to resort to using the Bible as God’s ‘manufacturers manual’ as the originator of marriage, in order to sustain their homes and marriages.
He attributed the waves of broken marriages in the society largely due to the fact that many have neglected God’s guidance. The fiery cleric made the remarks at the holy wedlock of Pastor David Lawrence, son of the Lead Pastor of Victory Life Bible Church (VLBC), Apostle Lawrence Achudume, and his beautiful wife, Precious Chigozie Chukwu, held at the church’s headquarters in Abeokuta, last Saturday.
Preaching on the theme: “Blueprint print for a successful and enduring marriage”, Pastor Bakare said marriage is not man’s idea, but an institution created by God for companionship, procreation, and to honour God as espoused in Genesis Chapter 2 vs. 19.
Quoting from Malachi Chapter 2 vs. 11, the founder of Citadel Global Community Church noted that marriage is God’s holy institution which he loves, adding that the blueprint to a successful marriage is the word of God as contained in the Bible.
While calling on husbands to love their wives and wives to submit to their husbands, the man of God opined that everyone is an ambassador of his/her family, and couples only get to know the true nature of their spouses and the values they represent when they get married.
He also advised the couple to be united, because they become one in accordance with God’s instruction, urging the new husband, David, to groom his bride to become the wife he desires to have.
Pastor Bakare pointed out that marriage is an institution where one does not graduate, but gets the certificate before taking the tests and examinations, unlike what obtains in educational institutions where one gets the certificate and graduates after passing all tests and examinations.
The man of God, while acknowledging that though marriage is for companionship, procreation of children and to prevent sexual immorality, noted that God expects a return on his investment. He urged the newlyweds to ensure their marriage returns pleasure to God, even as he urged the husband to listen to his wife’s advice, desist from arguing with her. He admonished them to play their roles in marriage as instructed by God.
As expected, the gathering was of who is who as leaders of faith across churches were present in large numbers to bless the holy union from their pooled wealth of anointing.
Leading them was Reverend Felix Omobude, former PFN national president, who was represented by his wife, Revd. Mrs Abiola Omobude, former national president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rt. Reverend Samson Ayokunle, former Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) presidents, Right Reverend Francis & Mrs Victoria Wale-Oke of Sword of Spirit Ministries and Bishop Mike & Peace Okonkwo of TREM,
Others include Pastor Tunde & Mrs Laide Bakare, Bishop Funke Felix Adejumo, Revd. Kunle Adesina of Jubilee Christian Church International, Bishop Emmanuel Adekunle, the Bishop, Egba Diocese, Anglican Communion who doubles as the CAN Chairman in Ogun state, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, CAN Chairman, Lagos State, Bishop Chris Nyong, CAN Chairman, Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Femi Emmanuel of Living Chapel International, ArchBishop Ojo, Arch John Osa-Oni, Pastor Dele Osunmakinde, among many other ministers of God.
The Bishop Emmanuel Adekunle of Egba Diocese, Anglican Communion, officiated the wedding, with Pastor Francis Wale-Oke leading other anointed men of God to pray for the couple while Pastor Dele Osunmakinde conducted the communion, first assignment to be performed for the newlyweds.
From the political class were Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Ogun State Governor, who was represented by the Head of Ogun State Civil Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya was present just as his wife Mrs Bamidele Abiodun. Other political big wigs were led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo who was represented by his wife, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State and his predecessor in office, Udom Emmanuel.
Former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, represented by his wife, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, along with Barr Taiwo Adeoluwa, who served as Secretary to the Ogun State Government during his tenure, were also in attendance, just as commissioners, permanent secretaries, top government functionaries, managers of media organisations and several other dignitaries were not left out.
Royal fathers in attendance were the Osile of Oke-Ona of Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, while the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola, was represented by some chiefs.