Encomium
This is the summary of a speech given by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome on May 16, 2014, in a meeting with all UK pastors and deacons at Christ Embassy, Bermondsey:
“I am here for your concerns about the ongoing domestic issue with my wife and I know it affects you directly, being the ones under her leadership. This is not an organization or a political party, so it’s not a place for you to air your opinion or scrutinize what we do.
“we had a vision, started and you joined us. If you don’t like what we do, you can get out. Churches where members air their views never grow. Some pastors’ wives think when they marry a pastor they are equal to the pastor.
“My wife thinks so. As a matter of fact, Rev. Tom was her pastor before I married her and Rev. Ray and Evang. Owase were her leaders long before I married her. How come she thinks she’s senior to them now? I already started Christ Embassy before I married her.
“I didn’t marry her and said we should start Christ Embassy. I was already pastoring. I already set my sail and knew my direction before I married her. I only said come and help me. Be careful of the friends you keep.
“My wife keeps friends who bring out the worst in her and help her see the worst in people instead of keeping friends that will help her vision, especially as the wife of a global pastor like me.
“Bitterness is prolonged and accumulated anger. My wife is always angry and bitter. Allegations are either false or twisted information. The current situation is not as a result of what I did or what I didn’t do.
“I didn’t do anything to have caused an upheaval. You don’t join a woman to fight her husband. I’m not teaching you what is wrong, at least I have two girls who will one day marry and I want to them to enjoy.”
