Christian couples must put Christ at the centre of their homes and draw on their spiritual calling to navigate the challenges confronting families in increasingly difficult times, Guest Speaker at the 2026 Christian Couples Fellowship (CCF) Retreat, Reverend Professor P. C. Onwochei, has said.
Speaking on the theme, “Following Jesus Christ as a Family in Challenging Times,” at the retreat held at Miango, Plateau State, Prof. Onwochei described Christian marriage as one in which Jesus Christ leads and governs the home, rather than self.
He said a Christian marriage could not exist without salvation because Christ must first be Lord of the lives of the couple. “If Jesus is not in your life, forget Christian marriage,” he said, stressing that getting married in a church does not automatically make a marriage Christian or guarantee its success. “Christian marriage can only be operated by Christians,” he added.
A cross section of couples at the Retreat
Drawing lessons from Genesis 25:12–23, Prof. Onwochei noted that marital challenges are not peculiar to contemporary families but have long been part of the biblical story and can serve as tests of faith and opportunities for spiritual growth.
Reflecting on the experiences of Isaac and Ishmael’s lineage, he noted that Isaac was 40 before he married and later faced challenges in his own family life. Rather than surrendering to the difficulty, however, Isaac turned to God in prayer.
Prof. Onwochei urged couples to follow biblical principles in dealing with marital challenges, saying, “If you follow the Bible, marriage is simple.” He identified praying for one another, mutual submission and complete surrender to the leadership of the Holy Spirit as essential to navigating difficult seasons in marriage. “You don’t go to sleep because of God’s promises for you. You must step out, pray and walk with faith,” he said.
In his opening charge, the Chairman of the CCF Board of Trustees, Reverend Dr. David Pofi, urged couples to live exemplary lives that reflect Christ and provide a godly model for younger generations. “We need fathers and mothers who know the Lord in the home,” he said.
Dr. Pofi acknowledged that families are living in challenging times that may not cease, but urged couples to remain anchored in the assurance that God is still God. He encouraged them to keep their focus on Christ rather than being consumed by the material pursuits and distractions of the world.
The retreat brought together CCF members from across the country for a time of prayer, teaching, reflection and fellowship, with couples also given opportunities to deepen their bond and strengthen their commitment to following Christ together as a family.
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