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 've said a few times that I don't consider Canada an international country from the US (even thou it is - technically) but my good friend, Pastor Yinka Dada (a family physician) argue otherwise. I've visited Restoration House in Hamilton twice and both times I've been greatly blessed.
As I wrote in my report when I visited Ft. McMurray this is my Canada year, the custom agent in Toronto seem to agree, as he wondered what I'm saying that these Canadian churches are inviting me, I answered I don't know, but I know what God said about marriages, sensing my enthusiasm to share, he waved me on. Very much unlike Restoration House and very much like God, the protocol person and I were at the airport and we missed each other, but God had a different reason. I met a Nigerian pastor who was at the airport welcoming his family from back from home (their flight was delayed) and we had a great over an hour chat, of course about Nigeria and the body of Christ in Nigeria (we promised to keep in touch).
Dr. Yinka Dada is a senior pastor in the RCCG family and also a true friend, he reminds me of Dr. Adegboye in Perth Australia based on their integrity (would agree to disagree and doctrine is important), interestingly they both went to University of Ilorin Med-school (I believe years apart) and considering the other doctors I know from Uni-Ilorin Med-school (including my brother-in-law), you guys are second best after Ife med-school graduates, I just moved you ahead of UI (sorry, Dele, Mobola and Funso - I know the three of you read Nigeriaworld).
This integrity is evident at Restoration House and in the church's desire for biblical truth. The theme of the weekend was "Peculiar People". On Friday, the topic was the peculiar conflicts of African Marriages in Western cultures. On Saturday we had a session for teenagers along with their parents on being a peculiar person and standing for truth in this generation. We explored what they are going through culturally, biologically and physically, many of the teenage boys couldn't look me straight in the eyes when I told them about involuntary discharge (between ages 12-14) and busted out laughing when I shared I experienced it myself.
The second session was for singles and boy was it full (about 20 college and career young adults) and interesting (we engaged sitting and in a relaxed setting), I spoke for about an hour and we spent the next hour and half dissecting questions, we actually had to break of and get ready for the formal dinner later with couples. The dinner was at a hotel not far from the church and it was packed, there were many fun things that happened, I even tried singing - Oloomi onitemi ololufe. I spoke on 10 things everyone can do to strengthen their marriages.
The Sunday message capped everything, as it was a thanksgiving Sunday and we had the children, comedy and dance team give glory to God through their gifting (the men seem to be the most organized, if you know what I mean -hahaha). The topic of the message was the habits of peculiar people, we defined a peculiar person as an uncommon person or group, we then observed a few biblical people in both old and new testaments and we identified six things that made them uncommon. They love their God and walked in humility before Him, they understood the definition of love - LOVE IS A DECISION/CHOICE (John 3: 16), they understood what humility is - TOTAL SURRENDER/ UTTER DETERMINATION TO OBEY, they loved and obeyed their God to the point of DEATH (Esther, Daniel, Stephen etc), they are quick to repent, confess and turn away from their sins (David), they sought God every step of the way and that led to a close relationship (Commit your way to the Lord and He will direct your path) and they realized that the source of whatever they had was God - from influence to wealth (Deut. 8: 18).
It was a great time and guys I'm sorry I did not join you for the Monday picnic again this year. It is a privilege to visit and share with you. It is my prayer that what we shared would bring deliverance in many homes.
African Christian Singles Conference NJ, September 2009
I left ACSC Atlanta 2008 saying to myself I was done with planning such a program, but then I started to hear from the small participants we had about how the conference had impacted and their outlook as they wait and to view things from God's perspective. I felt in my spirit that this needed to go on, and I had more than one witness.
At church on Sunday |
Cross section of couples at the dinner |
We got a few young people come on board this year and we maximized the new information highway for singles (college and career) such as facebook, some tweeted and mass texting. The focus of the conference still remains relationship with God, Bro. Dave Ravenhill (the son of Leonard Ravenhill -author of Why Revival Tarries) spoke on Intimacy with God on Thursday night, on Friday morning he spoke about maintaining purity in our relationship. Mrs. Olu Adetutu spoke about selecting a godly spouse and I spoke on the role of culture as it relates to the pressure and their choices. The night party was elegant as well.
I have received good comments from those who came. I promised we'll do it again, as long as my role is limited, planning is not one of my strength, delegation is an area I need grace (even though I'm not a micro-manager). We've had request from Chicago and Maryland, we'll see.
By the way if you are between the ages of 22-45 and you are an "African Christian Single", you can join us on FB.
Marriage is Cool
I have shared about this initiative before and I'm just so excited that we are now in our third year and visiting more high schools, our media campaign is also kicking off the third week of October 2009 with billboards (thanks Lamar Ad for partnering with us) of couples around selected high schools in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Ramses (Married 49 years) |
Two: The Ewings (Married 25 years - John Jr. is the Douglas County
Treasurer) |
Marriage is Cool is an initiative of CCFI that came from many statistics about the black family and the marriage institution in minority communities. We approached public school administrators about our aim and we were welcomed. African American couples (married once) with post-secondary education are presented before high school students who get to ask these couples questions about their marriage and the importance of post-secondary education.
There is a new statistics that came out last week from Center for American Values that buttress the importance of this initiative. http://www.americanvalues.org/pdfs/IAV_Marriage_Charts.pdf
Please feel free to adopt this initiative in your city and let me know (no copyright needed). I'll give all the support I can this is not about money but about changing the lives of America's urban community kids. Two years of working and talking with many of the so called gang members (a few need to be in jail), I'm convinced, all these kids need is hope and responsible adults who they can look up to and point them to the right path.
Thanks and remain blessed
William Femi Awodele is the Executive Director of Christian Couples
Fellowship International, Inc. Omaha Nebraska and a board member of
Nebraska Family Council, Lincoln, Nebraska.
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