General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Dr. Daniel Olukoya, alongside his wife, Pastor (Dr.)Folashade Olukoya, have shared details of how they met and eventually got married in the 1980s. The cleric narrated the experience in a video interview shared on his verified Facebook page on Saturday. Interestingly, the interview was conducted by their son, Elijah Olukoya. The bright young man whom many have described as unbelievably intelligent, asked his parents some pretty engaging and interesting questions. It was a family conversation that revealed some of the challenges faced by the Olukoyas in the early days of their marriage. The interview also revealed how the lovely couple met themselves and developed a relationship many years ago that culminated into their marriage.
According to Olukoya, their first encounter together was through church music, particularly his interest in teaching Negro Spirituals to church choirs.
How did you both meet and what drew you to each other, Elijah asked?
“I was a teacher of Negro Spirituals because I was a collector of Negro Spirituals, and I used to teach those kinds of songs among choirs. I happened to teach the choir of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Headquarters in Lagos Negro Spirituals,” Dr. Olukoya said.
He explained that his wife was a member of the choir and shared his passion for the genre.
“She was a member of that choir and she loved Negro Spirituals,” Olukoya said.
The MFM founder added that their relationship deepened after he returned from his doctoral studies and began organising revival meetings for youths.
“Later, I travelled for my PhD and came back to start a revival meeting among youths. She was also interested in those Holy Ghost-directed meetings and that’s how we got closer,” he stated.
Olukoya said he eventually received a spiritual conviction that she was his life partner, which led to his proposal.
“After my revelation that ‘this is your wife,’ I proposed to her. She went to pray, went on three days dry fast and came back with a positive answer,” he said.
He added that his father also approved of the union, after which they commenced courtship.
“My father also came back with a positive answer and we started the courtship,” Olukoya added.
According to him, their shared love for God and music formed the foundation of their relationship.
“What really drew us together is the love for God and the love for music to glorify the name of the Lord,” he said.
Can you share some of the most memorable moments you have experienced together as a couple?
WIFE: “One was when we got married. We got married in the UK and we were going to move those things that were important to us like our wedding gifts and wedding cake, We got to the airport and we were like what do we do, we got a lot of excess and the lady at the counter said, is this all you got and we said, yes, we got these extra stuffs. And I was thinking in my head, what do we do, and then I remembered my husband had instructed me, approach her and tell her we just got married and then I did that., straight away, word for word what he told me. And the lady said, where’s your husband? Congratulations, where’s the lucky man? And he was right behind me. And then she called someone who didn’t have any luggage on him to take care of the excess luggage for us. He took the case off us and we didn’t have to pay. All we could afford then was the economy class, but she took our cake to the first class cabin and we were in the economy. It was amazing how God just gave us something that was symbolic to our marriage.”
“Another moment was when we had Elijah. You know, life is full of challenges and so many things happen, but you hold on to the faith and you carry on with whatever he has instructed you to do. So we were doing our job and we were happy together but after everything, there were challenges but God saw us through everything and Elijah came. He was so adorable, so wonderful and he brought joy not only to us but everyone around and we’ve just been counting many more wonderful memories since this journey started with us.”
Have you ever played any light hearted pranks on each other? What were the most memorable ones?
DR. OLUKOYA: “My wonderful wife is a master of pranks. There was a time she was in the lounge at the airport and she was telling me she missed the flight and she had to go back home. And I was like, how can you miss this flight! She is the master of pranks.
There was also another time she stood by the door of the bathroom and mimicked the voice of a very important personality in Nigeria and I said, how can this person be by the door of my bathroom?
Wife adds: “And that got you to finish up quickly under the shower and wrap up (she laughs).
Are there specific bible verses that have guided or inspired you through out your marriage?
Yes, many of them, I’ll give you some key ones. There’s Phillipians 4:13. It says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us everyday. And we enjoy that strength spiritually, physically, maritally, ministerially, in every area. And then we have the same Phillipians 4:19. My God shall provide all our needs according to his riches in glory and we enjoy that in every area of our lives, ministerially, maritally, everywhere. And we’re still counting, even academically. My husband is one who will push you to understand and discover who you are internally. He won’t leave you alone until you’ve achieved that, so he’s pushed me to PhD now.
What biblical advice would you offer to married couples regardless of their generation?
DR. OLUKOYA: “Well, I will say that the family that prays together, stays together. As long as the family altar is on fire, there’s no problem. But immediately the prayer altar dies, the marriage is as good as dead. Also, couples should also remember that marriage is just a union of two people who have decided to make it work and that the best of couples do disagree to agree.
Wife: And that sits strongly on Amos 3:3, can two work together except they be agreed.
Do you have any prayers for the couples watching or for those who want to be in a relationship?
For those who are in their marital journey already and for those looking forward to having their own breakthroughs, to have a partner, I will say this, and its something I can testify to. When a child of God says, o God, arise, it is a call to heavens. It calls heavens attention because all that God wants is that we ask him.
WALE LAWAL (08037209290)
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