They are the unsung heroes, the base of the iceberg, and the support system. Although unseen, the wife is the heart of the ministry and as important as the minister, who many see as the face of the ministry. Of course, the face is always seen. When I say ministry, I am not referring only to the clergy or religious leaders; I am referring to any man to whom the Lord has entrusted something to care for and keep. Be it a career, profession, or any other endeavor, you have a ministry, and you shall be held accountable. “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48b NIV).
The adage “Behind every successful man, there is a woman” resonates strongly within this context. The wife of the minister is the secret engine that powers his ministry. I do not, in any way, downplay the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the foundation upon which the ministry is steadfastly held. Notwithstanding, the wife empowers the ministry. She executes this act of empowerment through unceasing prayer in the ministry of her husband. As he goes about his ministry, he encounters battles opposing the ministry and sometimes does not even realise them. It takes the wife, who is also active and has put on her ministerial robe, to intercede and fight these battles. Even though the wife may not be applauded or given recognition for her support, she is simply indispensable. A few examples include the ministry of Mrs. Martha Ntumy in Apostle Michael Kwabena Ntumy’s ministry and Mrs. Adelaide Araba Siaw Agyapong’s ministry in the ministry of Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyapong, to mention but a few.
Who is his utmost mortal cheerleader, the motivator, and the one who encourages him to press on when the ministry becomes challenging? You guessed right, the wife. The wife creates a home where the minister finds rest and peace. She feeds him with courage, confidence, and the spark to press on. She creates the atmosphere for him to thrive in his ministry. Pause a minute and think about how important the role of the wife is in the husband’s ministry. How many ministries would have collapsed if wives were not executing their duties as ministers? How many generations would have been disappointed and denied the impact they have experienced? Indeed, wives have essential ministries. When a minister reaches the zenith of his ministry, where there’s a likelihood of becoming self-sufficient and neglecting sincere retrospection, a vital ingredient for the success and continued impact of a ministry, it is the wife who draws his attention and brings to bear his flaws and wrongs with love and tenderness, allowing him to make positive adjustments and improvements.
Tell me, who is in a better position to make him aware of his excesses than his precious wife? Come with me to analyse this instance in the scriptures. “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 5:1-2 NIV). Sapphira failed to execute her ministerial duties as a wife. She failed to point out her husband’s wrong decision but joined him in executing this decision. The next scripture points out the results of their decision. “Peter said to her, ‘How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.’” (Acts 5:9 NIV). The consequences of their actions may seem to have affected them only, but I strongly believe that their actions generated a ripple effect on other people of their generation. I will give you an assignment: study the ministry of the wife in the life of the husband, scattered throughout scripture, and compare it with the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, as pointed out by Jesus. I guarantee you’ll be amazed!
To draw down the curtains, there is always the ministry of the wife within the husband’s ministry. The ministerial duties of the wife should be executed in love and total submission to the husband, yielding to the Holy Spirit. As a church, we should seize every opportunity to celebrate these unsung heroes because you can agree with me that their impact is unmatched.
Written by Elder Michael Boakye (Suame Area, Kronum District, Macedonia Assembly)