BY OLAYINKA LATONA 

The enthronement of Rt. Rev. Nkechi Nwosu over a year ago as the first female Bishop of Methodist Church Nigeria is, no doubt, a clarion call to Christendom that the propagation of the gospel is an assignment for both genders. Nwosu, an evangelist and teacher of the Word, has so many firsts recorded for her in the Women Ministry of Methodist Church Nigeria. She is the first ordained female Priest, the first female Presbyter, the first female Cathedral Administrator and the first female Synod Secretary. In this interview, the Bishop speaks on her achievements, ministerial challenges, aspirations for women in ministry and other issues. Excerpts:

 You have recorded several feats in your ministerial journey. Was there any opposition from the opposite sex to your election as a bishop?
 Of course, they didn’t come easily. There was opposition, but because God had already shown me a picture of what it would look like, God had been so faithful, He upheld me, and gave me a husband and children that stood by me. However, like every other organisation or ministry that is male-dominated, it has not been an easy assignment. It wasn’t a rosy journey at all, a kind of uphill task, but the Lord, by His grace, helped me to continue. Although there are a few of my brother bishops who have been encouraging me, telling me that if God has brought me thus far, He would see me through. The young ministers in the ministry are happy to be part of the history God has made in the Methodist Church in Nigeria. Those working directly with me really made the work easier for me; they made this very difficult assignment easier for me.
 In some Christian denominations, female clerical ordination is not allowed and they support it with references from the Bible.
 To the glory of God, the Methodist Church Nigeria has encouraged female clerical ordination. I rose from the ranks as the first female Reverend Minister of the Church, the first female to become Presbyter and the first female Bishop in the Church. I have worked with very supportive leaders in my over 30 years of ministry within the Methodist Church. I want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to serve Christ through the Church. Yes, very few may see female clerical ordination differently, but it will be good for them to look again at the great work that God is doing through these godly and passionate women and give them the support they need to excel in their call and vocation.

  Women and leadership position
 In the Bible, we have examples of excellent women who provided leadership and direction for the people of God in times of great need and challenges. Women like Deborah, Esther, the Prophetess Huldah Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, the first woman preacher, Priscilla supporting her husband Aquila, and many more. In Nigeria, we have women who have distinguished themselves such as Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Magaret Ekpo, Flora Nwapa, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Amina Mohammed and Dora Akinyuli. These women, like the Biblical women, provided leadership when it was needed. I want to encourage parents, the nation, and the Church to continue to give special attention to the education and development of the girl-child. The nation stands to benefit from their inert motherly qualities of passion, compassion, forthrightness and diligence in service. 

 What has been your experience as a Bishop in the northern part of Nigeria? 
 The ministry in the North is quite different from the ministry in any other part of this nation. But the Church in the North is not really finding things easy, and it is retarding growth as a Church. For instance, I have a Circuit that has been under serious crisis. The crisis in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi, we have Methodist churches in all these locations. The members are mostly Yoruba, Igbo, Idoma, Efik and a handful of indigenous members. Because of the security challenges, the majority of non-indigenous members are relocating. Although by God’s grace we did not record any deaths, some lost their means of livelihood and they entertain fear of being killed, including the future of their children. For instance, in Lagos and some other parts of the country, the ministers can wear their cassocks around but we can’t. If we are going for programmes, the ministers will wear mufti and when they get to the church, they would dress and undress when they finish. When villages are attacked, we at the cathedral cannot really assist as we ought to because we don’t have the financial capacity to assist them. We have a lot of empty churches but thank God that we have not lost any member to death as a result of this crisis. 

 How do you navigate these challenges?
 I knew God wanted to use me to break something in the Methodist Church in Nigeria. God told me and I heard Him. I have assurance in God’s calling and backing. That’s what kept me in ministry, because I would have left following all the opposition and difficulties I encountered. That is the truth of the matter. But each time, God would remind me that I am there for a purpose. I am a woman on a mission by God.

There was a period I wanted to leave the church, but God directed someone from another ministry to warn me of what my end would be.

 You said you’re on a mission, what is that mission?
 …for women to be accepted as human beings, to serve God as women, daughters of God and without discrimination. I fixed my gaze on God who called me and was determined to fulfill this mission. Women themselves are not even aware of it. If I had backed out, it would have ended. 

 Tell us your guiding principles in life.
 Humility is one, according to Proverbs 22:4. God told me that for me to go up, I have to go down. And as we know, men want to be respected, they want you to know they are men. And because I am the first female bishop among them, I accord them that respect. Even as a bishop, I cannot remove the word ‘sir’ from my mouth. And I am not just doing it for doing sake but God has planted it in me that, if I must break this jinx, I must bring myself low, notwithstanding my PhD qualification. God told me humility is the number one virtue to get along with my male colleagues, not coming to rub shoulders because I am a PhD holder. Another thing is that I take my work seriously. I am committed to the assignment given to me. In fact, I overdo it so that there won’t be any room for complaints that it’s because I am a woman, that’s why I couldn’t discharge my responsibilities. I go the extra mile to do my ministerial work, no matter how difficult it may look.

 Your retirement is due in the next few months. What would you love to be remembered for?
 Someone who did not turn back from the assignment God asked her to do. Despite all odds and challenges, God upheld me with His righteous hands. I want to be remembered for not destroying women’s ministry and as a selfless woman who sacrificed to make sure that the lamp given to her did not go off in her hands. 

 How do you run both ministerial assignments and family responsibilities?
 It is not an easy thing but I know that when God calls, He equips you. He equips you with people that will be in the homes you can interact with. He equipped with grace to handle issues, I also have a wonderful husband and children. Before I became a bishop, I wasn’t just serving in Jos but being transferred from state to state. I worked in Kaduna for three years, and I had to leave my family in Jos. I worked in Abuja for eight years but God helped me to balance my assignment as a wife. I did not allow the kitchen ministry to suffer, I did not leave the kitchen in the hands of housemaids even as a minister. I always ensure the kitchen department and my other responsibilities are taken care of and not left in the hands of maids. 

 What impact have you made within two years?
 Despite series of challenges, my journey has been richly rewarding in my two years of service in Jos Diocese. As the first female Methodist Bishop in Nigeria, and Bishop of Jos, my election has had a multifaceted impact on Jos Diocese in Plateau State and beyond. My leadership encompasses spiritual, administrative, financial, and infrastructural domains. As a spiritual leader, I emphasized inclusivity, spiritual growth, and community cohesion. This fostered a greater sense of unity and purpose among the congregation, promoting the participation of women and men, young and old in church activities especially, the beginning of the year Diocesan Revival program, the monthly miracle service, monthly prophetic declarations and anointing service, etc. Our Joint Clergy Lay Leaders retreats have focused the Diocese in the area of pastoral care and indigenous missions. The direct fruit of these was the planting of a Methodist Church in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State. We are trusting God for more in this direction as we begin to see more of the fruits from the seeds planted. 

 Infrastructural Impact
 On the infrastructural front, I have overseen significant developments. By God’s grace, my administration saw to the return of Methodist Primary School, Jos by the government of Plateau State in February 2023, just four months after the assumption of office as the Diocesan Bishop. We prioritized the securing of the landed property of the church and  facilities, especially the settling of the land disputes at Trinity Methodist Church Gada Biu, Aheri Circuit, which has been there for about 20 years, and the fencing of the land among others and also ensuring that the Diocese meets the needs of the congregation and community. With the help of God, my efforts have not only improved the physical environment but also enhanced the Diocese’s capacity to serve its members effectively.

 Broader Impact
 Beyond the immediate Diocese, my pioneering role as the first female Methodist Bishop in Nigeria has had a ripple effect, inspiring other denominations and religious communities to consider gender inclusivity in their leadership structures. I became the first Woman Vice Chairperson of the Plateau State Christian Council of Nigeria. My election and tenure represents a significant milestone in the broader movement towards gender equality in religious leadership in Nigeria and across Africa. My leadership as the Diocesan Bishop of Jos Diocese has been transformative across multiple dimensions. Spiritual guidance, administrative reforms, financial acumen, and infrastructural initiatives have collectively strengthened the diocese and set a precedent for future leaders. All these impacts extend beyond my immediate context, marking a significant step forward for gender equality in religious leadership in Nigeria. I, however, return all glory and honour to God for this great opportunity to serve Him and humanity.