The lead pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Pastor Bolaji Idowu has spoken up about the difficulties he encountered growing up in a polygamous environment where he had no contact with his father.
Speaking on the newest episode of the ‘WithChude’ podcast, Idowu, described how his stepmother would prevent him from starting talks with his father, establishing a sense of estrangement and rejection.
The cleric described one episode in which he hid from his father, who had unexpectedly come at his uncle’s home with his stepmother.
Idowu claimed his uncle encouraged him to run home. He reminisced on how, as a youngster, he struggled to understand these events, which led to emotions of rejection and poor self-esteem.
He also emphasized the significance of the Church’s role in praying for the restoration of souls, particularly for individuals struggling with emotional issues.
“I have been a victim of emotional issues. Just my background. I was raised without a father. I have no memory of my father hugging me,” he said.
“I came from a polygamous background and it was so bad because of the arrangement it was in the family. If my father is in a place and I am with him, if my step-mum steps into that same place I have to go. That she cannot set her eyes on me.
“So, just imagine how a seven-year-old child interprets that. The thing about being a child is that you cannot interpret the complexities of what goes on in life.
“I remember I was just about eight or nine and I had gone to see my uncle. They stayed in this lovely house. And my father pulled a surprise visit with my step-mum. I had not seen him for like three or four months.
“My uncle just said the word to me that ‘your dad and your step-mum are here, get going now. I could not even have the opportunity to see my dad. I could not afford the driver. I remember I walked home that day because I did not know how to use the bus system. I cried because I felt rejected that I was not good enough.”
