An American and founder of West Africa Theological Seminary, Prof. Gary Maxey has shared his 54-year-old marriage experience with a hint that forgiveness is key to a lasting marriage.
Maxey was the guest preacher at the wedding of Mercy Oluwayemi, daughter of the Deputy General Overseer of Gospel Faith Mission International, Dr. Emmanuel Oluwayemi, and Reuben Olowojoba.
The wedding took place on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at the expansive auditorium of The Gospel Faith Mission (GOFAMINT), House of Glory, Aseese 1, Ogun State.
Maxey, who has lived in Nigeria for over 40 years, said marriage is a special Christian institution and nothing can be compared to the beauty of Christian marriage.
“I believe nothing can be compared to the beauty of Christian marriage because it is established on the platform of God. God said when He sees marriage He sees something sacred. He said two shall become one and what God has joined together let no man put asunder.”
Gary said: “Effective communication is one of the keys to a successful marriage. Where couples don’t communicate effectively there will always be barriers in such marriage.
“Couples need to communicate to understand the angles they are coming from. They need to communicate to sort out their differences. Where there is no communication there will be no information and we need information to grow every day both spiritually and otherwise.”
He shared his experiences and mentioned a particular incident in his 54 years of marriage. He said he offended his wife and had to apologize to her thus paving way for peace to return to their home.
Couples, according to him, must also imbibe the spirit of forgiveness. “Don’t say because you are the husband you cannot say ‘I am sorry’ to your wife. I want you to always be ready to apologize to your wife each time the need arises. Don’t feel too big to say sorry. This brings peace, joy, and happiness to your home.
He reasoned that the couple that prays together will always stay together. “Learning to effectively pray together is an essential tool that makes a marriage strong. So, prayer must be paramount. Learn how to pray without ceasing. Prayer is the master key that opens every locked door,” he said.
He advised the groom who is also a Pastor to love his wife dearly while also urging the wife to reciprocate the love with submission as stated in Ephesians Chapter 5:21.
“Those who love their wives love themselves because the wife and the husband have become one flesh,” he said.
The father of the bride, Rev. Oluwayemi, thanked the participants at the wedding, stating that without their love and support the wedding would not have been successful.
He said: “I thank God for his mercy and glory. I thank the church leaders who spared their time to grace this occasion, it is a long list.
“I can’t start to mention names because of the constraint of time. I thank everyone who contributed to the success of this wedding in one way or the other. My heart also goes out to my brother, my friend who taught me theology, Prof. Gary Maxey. We are beneficiaries of his experience of 54 years of marriage in the sermon today.”
Prominent among the attendees was the National Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Sunday Akande, who stood in for the RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
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