MEWELA holds first convention for women, set to impact society with life changing programmes

Men and Women in Ecclesiastical Leadership Alliance, a relatively new para-church organisation in Nigeria  is set to impact society with life changing programmes and strategic interventions in the lives of citizens.

The body made this known on Wednesday October 15 at a press briefing just as it hosted its first women conference with the theme, Crown for Impact: Raising Women of Power and Possibilities

The programme which was held at the massive auditorium of Abundant Life Church in Agege, Lagos,  attracted about 2000 women from across the country.

L-R Rev Mrs Adebola Olateju, Prophet Lere Bamigboye, Apostle Enyinannya Okwuonu (fmr Chairman, PFN Lagos State), Archbishop Olufunmi Olufemi (Convener/Int’l President, MEWELA Global), Rev Mrs Janet Onaolapo (Host/Vice Chairperson, PFN Lagos State), Bishop Joy Oberiko (Coordinator, MEWELA Nigeria), and Dr Andrew Oladepo (Provincial Chairman, PFN Ibeju-Lekki Province) at the Men and Women in Ecclesiastical Leadership Alliance (MEWELA) Global Women Conference, Lagos 2025, themed, Crown for Impact: Raising Women of Power and Possibilities, held at the auditorium of Abundant Life Bible Church, Agege, Lagos.

Testimony

The founder of the group, Archbishop Dr. Olufunmilayo Olufemi took time to charge the women while encouraging them not to give up on their faith in God.

She shared testimony of how  doctors said she was incapable of having children but God intervened in her life and turned her misery to a miracle.

In the about one hour message to the women,  she gave a graphic account of her travails and the child birth miracle.

She said eight months into her marriage when she was not getting pregnant she began a series of medical examinations.

The test result showed that she had a first-degree infertility because she was not ovulating. “We repeated the test and the result was the same. I.was told I  had no chance of having a child. The doctors advised that I should start planning how to adopt children.

“The news was devastating. I called my father who is now late and he assured me that God will do a miracle.”

Olufemi who is a UK based lawyer said she went into a series of praying and fasting while trusting God for a miracle. But it got to a point that she got so much involved working for God.

She had started a campus fellowship years back. She came back to the fellowship in Oshogbo to see how they were doing and embarked on a series of ministerial tours only to get another invitation from her doctor.

The doctor wanted to know how she was doing. He examined her and asked her to go and do a scan. By the time the scan results came, it was discovered that she was about  13 weeks pregnant.

She said she did not believe the scan result because she did not feel pregnant and moreso she had been told she had no  chances of having a child of her own.

But that was the truth. She was indeed pregnant. She had her first child in 2003 and  then another child a few years later.
Olufemi encouraged the women to stay resolute in faith while also taking time to pray for all those trusting God for the fruit of the womb.

Rev. Janet Onaolaopo

The Deputy Chairman of the Lagos Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria , Rev Janet Onaolapo who hosted the women also ministered at the event.

She charged the.women to seek the power of the holy spirit as that was what they needed to navigate the challenges of life.

She ministered the holy spirit baptism to many of the attendees at the convention. Many were filled with the holy spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues after her ministration which lasted for about 40 minutes.

Press conference

At the press briefing, Archbishop Olufemi said she got a leading to begin the women conference  which is a phase of MEWELA a couple of years ago when she was praying.

She said the Holy Spirit ministered to her for about six hours giving her series of insight on the need to begin the prorgramme.

The women conference according to her will be followed by a youth convention on Saturday October 18 during which participants will be empowered.

It will also be a platform to discover new talents and find a way of harnessing them.

The programme will continue with  ministers conference on October 29. The conference will attract delegates from across Nigeria, the US and  some countries in Europe..

Olufemi said MEWELA is a global organisation that just birthed in Nigeria a few years ago. ‘The goal according to her s to  break  denominational barrier and create a pathway for Nigerians to attain their potential.

“”Ultimately we want to make Christ known to all. Our goal is to minister to the spirit soul and body of people that attend our programmes.” She said..

Olufemi emphasised that the body is determined to do the will of God by spreading the gospel everywhere and also empowering the vulnerable and less privileged people in the society. “At this programme today, we will be empowering some women with some funds and also guide them on how to run businesses.

“It is not the amount that we give that is important but the ability of people that are empowered to utilise whatever we give well so that we will be encouraged to give more people. We also want to empower young people too .”

While disclosing that the organisation does not discriminate or threat people on the basis of their faith, she said, “we encourage people to join us irrespective of their faith. But the bottom line is that Christ is the centre of what we do and we believe those who join will encounter Christ.

“That is why you see women in hijab during the programme among us. As long as they are interested in what we do they are welcome. Jesus related with all kinds of people. The goal is to reach all for Christ.”

Olufemi who had been in ministry right from age 17 said the burden to help people inspired the need for the organisation. “MEWELA is a platform where people can come to network and build relationships that will be mutually beneficial. Some of our members have the opportunity for foreign trips through the networking of the body. The platform is also for us to encourage and inspire ourselves.”

The National President

The National President of the organisation, Apostle Eyinnaya Okwuonu who incidentally was a former chairman of the Lagos chapter of the PFN explained further that MEWELA is not limited to clergymen but cuts across ministers in the market place. ‘it is our hope that through the organisation we will be able to emancipate people and empower them to maximise their potential.’

He said the success of the women convention is a testimony to what God will do in the coming days through the organsiation..”The Lord spoke to me a few years ago that women will begin to take leadership roles across the world.

“And that has been the experience globally. Women are coming up. In Nigeria, women. Are holding strategic corporate positions and leadership position..our goal in MEWELA is to ensure that they attain their potential.”

He disclosed that the organisation is funded through voluntary donations of individuals who believe in the vision .

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