Pastors Paul and Ifeanyi Adefarasin celebrated 31 years of marriage on June 3, 2026. The anniversary is remarkable not because they are famous. It is remarkable because they have endured what would have broken many couples.
When they started, there was no glamour. House on the Rock did not exist. Paul refused to sign church checks or draw a salary, choosing to rely on faith. The couple shared a single car with a burnt bonnet they could not afford to replace. Ifeanyi, a former banker turned pastor’s wife, cooked on a basic kerosene stove.
Those early years tested not just their finances but their understanding of partnership. Looking at them now, they passed the test.
Paul brought vision. He is an architect turned minister, a broadcaster, and the convener of The Experience Lagos, the largest gospel music concert in Africa. Ifeanyi brought structure and compassion. She established the Woman to Woman Ministry, which has provided education, healthcare, and empowerment to countless vulnerable women and children. His strength is public and prophetic. Hers is organisational and nurturing. Together, they built a global network of over 50 churches.
The challenges have been relentless. In 2017, a fire severely damaged their Abuja sanctuary. In 2021, Paul faced backlash for advising his congregation to have a “Plan B” amid national insecurity. In 2025, a traffic incident involving a stun gun went viral, forcing him to voluntarily appear before the Lagos Police Command to clear his name. He has also drawn criticism for stating that Nigeria was not a divine creation but a British colonial project.
Through each crisis, Ifeanyi has remained steady, holding the rear, listening, and completing. And Paul has never missed an opportunity to hail her for it.
Behind the public ministry is a personal testimony. Paul battled substance abuse in his youth before finding faith. That history fuels his compassion for others struggling with addiction. 31 years later, the couple who once could not afford a new car bonnet now lead a ministry that touches millions.
