By Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon
The Foursquare Gospel Church in Wuse, Abuja, celebrated Mother’s Day on May 12, 2024, with remarkable congregational participation and poignant messages oriented towards the virtues of motherhood. Noteworthy was the theme “A Devoted Mother’s Love,” addressed by the speaker, Mummy Amb. Chituru Chendo. Presented here is a detailed account of the service, the delivered message, and its theological justification, shedding light on the contemporary Christian perspective on motherhood enriched by biblical citations.
Mother’s Day, a global acknowledgment of mothers’ and mother figures’ influence in society, was vibrantly celebrated at the Foursquare Gospel Church in Wuse, Abuja. The event was distinguished by a 30-minute all-women choir performance, dressed in white attire with distinctive red headgear, and a key sermon by Mummy Amb. Chituru Chendo. This sermon explores the dynamics of this celebration, focusing on its spiritual messages intertwined with the roles and recognition of mothers in a Christian context.
Event Description
The auditorium bore witness to an exceptional turnout, including distinguished men and women, youths, and children, reflecting a community united in celebration. The service began with the all-women choir’s performance, which not only set the spiritual tone but also visually captivated the worshipers through their synchronized white attire and vibrant headgear.
Sermon Address
Mummy Amb. Chituru Chendo delivered the sermon on the essence of a devoted mother’s love, supported by scriptures from Psalms 100:3, Exodus 2:1-5, 1 Kings 3:26, and John 15:15. The sermon emphasized the different and important nature of motherhood, stretching beyond biological boundaries to include adoptive, spiritual, and communal forms of maternity.
Theological Analysis
The sermon articulated three primary purposes of marriage: companionship, sexual fulfillment, and procreation, converging these aspects with the responsibilities and virtues of motherhood.
Highlighted were the types of love a mother exhibits: sacrificial, steadfast, supportive, and protective. The theological framework positions this love as a reflection of divine love, rooted in Romans 5:5, suggesting that such love is both innate, imparted by God, and sustained by the Holy Spirit.
Central to Mummy Chendo’s message was the notion of transgenerational faith transmission, where mothers play a crucial role in nurturing devoted adherence to Christian values among children. This perspective filled with a deep biblical passages highlighted, where maternal figures are depicted as pivotal in the early and continued religious life of their children.
Conclusion
The Mother’s Day service at the Foursquare Gospel Church not only commemorated motherhood but also reinforced the theological and communal imperatives of maternal roles in nurturing devout Christian families. This event served as a spiritual reinforcement, calling all forms of mothers to foster a kingdom-focused love that transcends conventional familial boundaries.
Acknowledgements
We extend our gratitude to the pastoral team of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Wuse, Abuja, and specifically Mummy Amb. Chituru Chendo, for their insights and dedication to enriching the community’s spiritual life.
References
– The Holy Bible: Psalms 100:3, Exodus 2:1-5, 1 Kings 3:26, John 15:15, Romans 5:5, 1 Corinthians 13:4-6, Psalms 126:6.
This comprehensive account provides insight into the cultural and spiritual dynamics of Mother’s Day as celebrated within this particular religious community, offering an expression that can contribute significantly to broader discussions on the role of motherhood in contemporary Christian practices.
