Lagos – Female ministers, pastors’ wives, and women leaders from across Nigeria, as well as international delegates from London and the United States, converged on Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, at the weekend to honor the legacy of Reverend Fola Achidume, convener of the Female Ministers Conference and lead pastor of Victory Life Bible Church International.
Popularly known as RFA, her spouse, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, reiterated his commitment to preserving her vision, stating, “Her dream of empowering women will continue to inspire generations, and as long as it’s alive, people will come together in her memory to continue her work.”
Renowned female ministers, including Pastor Toyin Poju Oyemade of Covenant Christian Centre, Pastor Esther Akinsiun of Jesus Sanctuary Ministries, Chartered Accountant Sola Adesakin, and Pastor Yemisi Mathew Asimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Centre, London, shared inspiring messages.
“The real impact of ministering is not what you do outside; you don’t evolve that way. The real fruit of ministry is what we do outside the microphone; it’s our daily devotional to God and what we give, not by what we do,” Pastor Oyemade emphasized. She further stressed, “Love is the highest form of devotion. The highest form of being is loving God, not necessarily the miracles or revelations, but loving God because God is love.”
Pastor Oyemade noted, “The Bible is the story of love. In ministry and our doing, how do we prioritize our love work? Can we spend more time asking how we can love more?”
Sola Adesakin, a Chartered Accountant, shared practical wisdom on wealth creation, emphasizing, “We must teach people not just the way of God but the methods of God. Jesus epitomizes provision, and by embracing collaboration, expressing our needs, organizing and taking action, leveraging our resources, visualizing our goals, and empowering others, we can prosper in any economy, as seen in the biblical story of the widow in 2 Kings 4.”
On her part, Pastor Yemisi Mathew Asimolowo challenged the women to sharpen their living edge: “Everyone has an axe, but what are you doing with it? You need to know what God has called you to do and stay there to be a blessing.”
Asimolowo emphasized, “Evolve is changing for the better. These changes have to continue. There is no purpose without evolution; we have to change, we have to move, we don’t have to remain the same.” She added, “You need to know who you are in God; you don’t want to be who others are. We are God’s workmanship, but God’s masterpiece.”
Speaking in a similar manner, Pastor Esther Akinsiun praised RFA’s impact: “She was a woman of many parts, believing in the call of God for women to flourish. Her heart was for every woman to grow.”
In her welcome address, RFA’s lieutenant, Eng. Mrs. Bola Adeoye, said the conference, conceived about two decades ago and now a yearly event, provides a platform for women to connect, share experiences, and inspire one another.
“This conference has been a blessing, reminding me of the need to evolve and become the best version of myself,” said Eng. Mrs. Adeoye.
The Female Ministers Conference has become a beacon of hope for women seeking spiritual growth and empowerment, and RFA’s legacy will continue to inspire generations, says Pastor Mrs. Toyin Banjo of Victory Life Bible Church, London Branch.
