…As 25 women receive skills, grants, women’s quarters project takes centre stage

By Ebunoluwa Sessou

The National President of Foursquare Women International (FWI), Elder Margaret Udoh, has called on Christian women to remain steadfast in their faith and trust in God’s power to overcome life’s challenges, declaring that “the finger of God” remains the ultimate source of divine intervention.

Delivering her goodwill message at the just-concluded 2026 June Rally in Ajebo, themed “The Finger of God,” the FWI President drew her message from Exodus 8:19 and Luke 11:20, emphasising God’s sovereign power, divine authority, and supernatural intervention in human affairs.

According to her, the biblical account of the Egyptian magicians acknowledging God’s power demonstrated that certain manifestations can only be attributed to God.

“The finger of God represents God’s direct intervention in human affairs. It signifies His power to change impossible situations, prevent negative occurrences, open doors that have remained shut, and make a way where there seems to be no way,” she said.

She noted that throughout the Scriptures, the finger of God brought deliverance to the Israelites, wrote the Ten Commandments, and authenticated the ministry of Jesus Christ through miracles, signs, and wonders.

Addressing participants at the rally, she urged them not to focus on the magnitude of their challenges but on the greatness of God.

“Do not focus on the magnitude of your challenges. Rather, focus on the greatness of our God. The same finger that parted the Red Sea, healed the sick, raised the dead, and delivered the oppressed is still at work today,” she declared.

She expressed confidence that God would intervene in situations affecting families, careers, health, finances, and spiritual lives, praying that every closed door would be opened, every long-standing battle resolved, and every yoke broken through divine intervention.

The FWI President also highlighted several humanitarian and missionary initiatives undertaken by the organisation through the support of members and partners.

She said the organisation has sustained missionary activities across various mission fields, provided scholarships and educational support for indigent students, supported theological education and ministerial training, financed the Corpers’ Lodge project, and offered welfare and medical assistance to women and vulnerable families.

She disclosed that FWI recently launched a Food Bank initiative through which 1,080 bags of 5kg rice were distributed during the Easter Retreat in Lagos. She added that there are plans to extend the programme to other regions next year while also pioneering a church in the Ajebo District.

She also revealed that the organisation, under her leadership, has embarked on a skills acquisition programme aimed at empowering women economically and financially. This year, 25 women benefited from the maiden edition of the initiative and were provided with starter grants to establish their businesses.

The FWI President further disclosed that the organisation has embarked on a women’s quarters project aimed at addressing accommodation challenges for women within the camp.

Expressing gratitude to the leadership of the Foursquare Gospel Church and members of FWI, she appreciated the General Overseer, the Ministerial Adviser, members of the National Executive Council, the June Rally Planning Committee, and women across the country for their dedication to advancing God’s kingdom.

In his goodwill message, the General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Dr. Sam Aboyeji, prayed that God would continually strengthen, guide, and enlarge the capacity of the women for greater exploits in His vineyard.

Also speaking, the FWI National Adviser, Dr. Olabisi Aboyeji, encouraged the women to remain focused on God, who is able to overcome every challenge.

“In our families, we often face challenges that feel like heavy iron gates—financial debt, stubborn habits, or broken relationships. I want you to know that our God is so mighty that He does not need to exert His full strength to fix your situation,” she said.

The Chairperson of the 2026 FWI June Rally, Elder Olabisi Adeniran, highlighted the introduction of a skills acquisition and financial empowerment programme for women as one of the major achievements of the event.

Speaking, Adeniran thanked God for the peaceful and successful conduct of the week-long programme, which began on Monday and concluded on Saturday.

She said the rally witnessed the empowerment of 25 women through vocational training and financial support to enable them to establish small businesses.

According to her, participants were trained in the production of spices, Ankara bags, and other practical skills to promote self-reliance.

“This year, we introduced skills acquisition. We do not want people to come only for the spiritual aspect of the programme. We want them to leave with practical skills that will benefit them and their families,” she said.

“We gave each beneficiary N20,000 as seed capital. For instance, with about N5,000, someone can buy Ankara materials to produce several bags and begin a business. We believe that by next year, by God’s grace, we will be able to empower even more people.”

She expressed optimism that the beneficiaries would transfer the knowledge acquired to other women in their respective communities, thereby multiplying the impact of the programme.

The chairperson also explained the annual Jesus walk held during the June Rally was initiated by the former FWI President, Rev Ruth Ayeni during her tenure.

She said, participants were enjoined to participate in the Jesus walk which took place throughout the camp ground during June Rally, drawing inspiration from the biblical account of the Israelites marching around Jericho before its walls fell.

Reflecting on the uniqueness of this year’s rally, she identified the introduction of the empowerment programme and the unexpectedly high attendance despite prevailing security concerns.

“Many people discouraged us because of insecurity. Some husbands even prevented their wives from attending. There were suggestions that we should postpone the programme, but we trusted God.

“To the glory of God, nothing happened. The programme was peaceful, and attendance exceeded our expectations,” she said.

The FWI also organised an appreciation service in honour of its immediate past President, Elder Gbemi Ajayi, who commended the organisation for considering her worthy of being honoured in such a manner.

She encouraged the organisation not to relent in its unwavering efforts to serve God faithfully and advance His kingdom.

The Chairperson of the Appreciation Service Committee, Elder Catherine Daramola, also applauded the FWI President for counting her committee worthy of organising the event.

Sessions held during the rally included Menopause: Symptoms and Treatment; Effect of Social Media on the Family; Balancing Ministry, Career and Family Without Burnout; Growing a Small Business with Integrity and Excellence; Birth Control and Family Planning: A Godly Perspective; Singleness: Not a Curse but God’s Divine Purpose; Home Management Tips for Newlyweds; Absentee Motherhood and Its Effects on Children; Building and Sustaining a Godly Home; Nutrition and Healthy Living; Relating with and Coping with the Challenges of In-Laws; Personal Finance and Wealth Transfer; Women as Kingdom Builders in the Great Commission; and How to Retire Wealthy, Healthy and Happy.

The highlight of the event was the annual Alabaster Celebration, during which thousands of women took turns to dance, appreciate, and give thanks to Almighty God for His protection, provision, and guidance throughout the church year.