Deputy Continental Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Americas Continent 2, Pastor Yinka Dada and his wife. Toyin Dada on May 18 celebrated 30 years of their marriage with Pomp and ceremony.
The event took place at the RCCG Restoration House in Hamilton, Ontario Canada where both of them are pastors. They started the branch of the RCCG in 2003.
But they had been married in Nigeria in 1995, travelled to Swaziland, South Africa and then Canada where they settled and helped to build the RCCG parish. Since then, they have established several parishes of RCCG in the US, Canada Brazil, Suriname in the northeast coast of South America and South Africa.
Early days of marriage
Reflecting on their marriage the couple recalled the early days and how they met as youth corps members in Enugu, Nigeria in 1992. They had been friends in their secondary school days and had gone their separate ways afterwards.
Pastor Dada went to the University of Ilorin where he studied medicine while Toyin attended University of Lagos where she read English. They however met in Enugu for their NYSC.
That was where love between the two of them was ignited. They got married in 1995 and both travelled out of the country a year after.
They have however remained consistent in their walk with God and in the spread of the gospel of Jesus.
The couple during a question and answer session at the event ackowledged how some family members and friends influenced their marriage positively. They however submitted that it takes a lot of sacrifice to build a home.
Toyin described her husband’s as a tireless worker. “My husband is extremely hardworking. He has a large heart and generous to a fault. He is a kind hearted person.” she said.
Yinka on the other hand says, “My wife has a forgiving heart and she sacrifices everything. She will go all out to reach out to people I may not even want to reach again. That always amazes me..”
He recalled how they had their first two children 14 months apart, a development that impacted greatly on the family. It was also a time they had their postgraduate programmes at various universities. The pressure became so much. That made him secretly desire not to want more children. But that prayer was not to be answered as God blessed them with more children.
No separation. No silence. No secret
Pastor Dada stated that there are three things that are crucial in achieving a successful marriage. “Number one, there must be no separation between the couples. Under no circumstances should couples live separately because of education, immigration or work. The second is that the couple must not encourage silence. They should always communicate and not allow the line of communication to break. And then, there should be no secret between them..Married people should not hide anything from their spouse.”
He further counselled that married people should cultivate good relationship. “Don’t run this race alone, you need people that can support you. You need the right relationship to sustain a good home. That has helped us.” Pastor Dada stated.
His wife adds, “Be quick to forgive each other. There is no way you walk that your head will not shake. Your spouse would offend you. But let go and let God. Put your trust in God. We are different beings. The things that appeal to me may not appeal to him. You must learn to tolerate one another”
While appreciating all those who came to celebrate with them, Pastor Dada went philosophical saying, “Life brings tears, smile and memories. The tears will dry; the smile will fade but the memory will linger. This celebration is our own way of creating a lasting memory and the need to impact others with what we have learnt over the years.”
Challenges
One of the greatest challenges the couple faced as pastors came in the course of putting up a worship place for the church in Hamilton Ontario. The building was eventually dedicated by the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
Pastor Dada recalled that some people did not believe it could be done. And some went on to discourage them. “But we kept at it. God helped us. The building was completed and dedicated. Anytime we see the picture of the day the G.O came to dedicate this place, we laugh. Some people said it was not possible. A woman came to say who are the calibre of people in the church. She said so many things. Today it’s history.”
On some of the parenting mistakes they made, Pastor Dada confessed, “I think one of them is that we did not teach our first two children Yoruba language when they were growing up. I said Yoruba must not be their first language. But when they grew up, they were so interested in learning our culture. My son’s name is Timothy. His second name is Inioluwa. My wife and I impressed Timothy on him. But when he grew up, he preferred his Yoruba name, Inioluwa and has shown more interest in our culture.”
Our strength
One of the greatest strengths of the marriage according to the couple is that they talk together a lot. That has helped to strengthen the union. They have taken this communication further with a regular Youtube broadcast where the two of them share thoughts on Bible principles and the Christian lifestyle
Prayers and message
At the ceremony, Pastor Adeboye prayed for the couple via the telephone and wished them well in their walk with the Lord. The chairman of the RCCG UK, Pastor Leke Sanusi also congratulated the couple for the epoch event in their lives while also praying that the Lord will keep them strong in the years to come.
The Continental Overseer of RCCG Americas Continent 2, Pastor Femi Olawale who gave the sermon at the programme admonished those who came to rejoice with the couple, to have a reflective heart citing the story of the ten lepers that Jesus healed.
While noting that only one came back to give thanks, he said, “that one person had a reflective heart. He was able to look back and think on what Jesus had done for him. He had to come back to give thanks. You need a reflective heart. Always think back on whatever he has done for you.”
Olawale observed further that what the celebrating couple have done is to appreciate God and people for the milestone in their lives.
He said, “Every couple must learn the secret of saying thank you. Have a grateful heart, a heart that appreciates the kindness that has been extended to you. We must also have a humble heart. You must put your heart in a disposition that can make God come to your help”
