When I first heard the rumour, I prayed that it was just that: a rumour. I trolled cyberspace until I found the confirmation in Pastor Kris Okotie’s own words: his marriage is on its way out … again! Everyone has an opinion about this and far be it from me to add to the din. I just want to say how sad this has been for me on a personal level.
Before the summer break, the children and I listened to Okotie’s ‘Hannah’s Prayer’ sermon series in the van as we went to and from school/work. The children recognise Okotie’s voice and refer to him as “mom’s Nigerian pastor.” They even turn off their gadgets when they are in the van so they can listen to him. What do I tell them when they find that “mom’s favourite pastor in the whole wide world” has become a “serial divorcee” a la Hollywood celebrities? Call me old-fashioned, but I still believe in the happily-ever-after, for-better-for-worse marriage fairy tales. It shouldn’t be easier to end a marriage than to make it work … especially for those of us who profess to be born-again Christians.
Also, while I didn’t share the nearly universal and effusive ooh-aah over Okotie’s choice for Wife #2, Ms. Stephanie Henshaw, I was relieved when he finally got married. I thought: “He’ll now return to the business of preaching.” References to what an eligible bachelor he was were recurring too distractingly frequent in his sermons. It seems we are back to the “same old, same old.” Oh well … but who am I to judge?
On a final note though, Okotie is still the man of God who led me to my personal Someone (Jesus) one Sunday morning nearly 24 years ago. He remains my #1 Pastor … for better and for worse.
Credits: Punch Columnist, Patience Akpan-Obong .