The Cambridge dictionary defines a church as a building for Christian Religious activities. But to believers, it is more than a building. It is something deeper.

Just like how the family makes a home. The people make a church.

Radiant Life Ministries (RLM) is a charismatic church located in Accra, not too far from the main city center. It has a congregation size of about 5000 members including the children service. The founders are Reverend David Osei and his wife, Zoe Osei who are in their early-40s. David is your average height and average built man with a bald head. Zoe on the other hand, is a thick, chocolate-skinned beauty with a curvy figure. She dresses in fashionably modest clothing and is known for her kind and warm smile.

In an ornate mansion not far from the main church. David and Zoe finally make it home after a long Sunday filled with church services and meetings.

DAVID/DAVE/REV DAVE

I helped my wife unzip her dress, and she gently removed the cufflinks from my shirt.

‘’We really need a replacement for the youth pastor slot. I can see the number of youth members are dwindling’’ my wife lamented.

Our former youth pastor had to relocate to Canada after his wife secured a job there. Pastor Sammy was exceptional in youth ministry and played a major role in the rapid growth of the youth members. We have to act fast and get his replacement.

My friend, Prophet Hugh, who oversees several churches serving Ghanaian Christians in the diaspora, recommended one of his youth pastors.This individual, originally from Ghana, is relocating back from the United States, his name is Jordan but popularly known as Pastor Jay. I have interviewed Pastor Jay, I love his energy and I sense something great in him.

Hugh was ready to hand over Jay to my ministry. However, I am a bit sceptical about introducing a new person when there is someone else in my congregation vying for the position.

‘’We should just go with Pastor Isaac’’ I suggested.

‘’No way, …he is not a bad pastor. But he is too rigid and judgmental, the young ones do not do well with him. It is best he remains the assistant youth pastor, we need a good cop, bad cop situation at all times. Pastor Isaac is best for bad cop’’ my wife, Zoe exclaimed.

‘’Can we promote him to main youth pastor then Jay becomes assistant?’’ I asked

‘’No, Isaac is very rigid ooo, he will oppress Jay’’ my wife said.

‘’But, it is not a good look if we bring another person when we know Isaac wants that position. He has worked hard and dedicated his time to the youth ministry’’ I said.

‘’I know but we have to do what is good for the church. Even as acting youth pastor, things are not looking good. He needs to change his approach but we all know that is not happening” my wife said.

We decided to pray and sleep on it once again.  At dawn, we made our way to the living room to have devotion with our three children, Davida who is 17, David 13 and then Zack, 10.

‘’Since you are all members of the youth, what do you think about Pastor Isaac becoming the main youth pastor?’’ I asked my children after we were done, Zoe tried to signal me to stop but it was too late.

‘’NO WAYYY, NOOOO’’ the children roared.

‘’Do you want us to be the only young ones in the church?’’ Davida asked.

‘’No Daddy, Pastor Isaac is too much’’ David chimed in.

‘’He is too stiff, you know, youth week is coming up. He insists choreography is a waste of time’’ Davida added.

‘’Hmmmmmmm….noted’’ I said to keep them from complaining.

Zoe gave me her ‘’I told you so’’ look.

Back in the bedroom, as I prepared to go to church. Zoe sat on the bed.

‘’I think I know what we should do. Let us bring Pastor Jay to head the youth’’

‘’But Isaac..’’ I interrupted her.

‘’Listen, I am not done. Then we promote Pastor Isaac, let us make him second assistant pastor. You have always said Pastor Sandra has been slacking as an assistant of late. Especially juggling being a new mother and ministry. Add him so everyone is happy. We need him, he might not be good for the youth but his wisdom with administration is unmatched’’ Zoe suggested as she got up from the bed.

‘’That might work, wow, I don’t know what I will do without you’’ I said and hugged her closely.

‘’Now, we have to convince the elders’’ she said.

‘’That will not be a problem, some of them already do not want Isaac as youth pastor’’ I said.

‘’Time for me to get ready and leave for work’’ Zoe said as she shimmied out of my embrace.

‘’So what have you decided on, concerning the promotion at work?’’ I asked her.

‘’Exactly what we spoke about. What is your plan for the day?’’ she asked as she picked out a navy-blue corporate dress.

Zoe is the Deputy Finance Head of a mining company, she has been propositioned for the Chief Financial Officer for the West Africa Division.

‘’Deaconess Jessica asked me to come over and help her pray about an emergency family situation’’ I answered.

‘’Do not forget to visit Auntie Hilda in the hospital, her son Kojo was absent yesterday. I am worried about them. Were they able to receive some financial support from the welfare team?’’ Zoe asked.

‘’I have not followed up on that, I will do that after Deaconess Jessica’s visit. This is why I need you full-time with me’’ I said.

‘’Hahaha, when the time is right, the Lord will make it happen. Damson is supposed to handle all these, what is his function as your secretary and administrator?  I do not like how you have been slacking with this Hilda situation. Honey, you need to let Damson go if it is not working. Or move him to another department’’ Zoe advised.

‘’One change after another, let me work on this Pastor Isaac and our new Pastor Jay issue first. You can send all these suggestions to me in an email and cc Damson’’ I said.

‘’Love, I have asked you to stop letting me send these emails. Just record a voice note and send to Damson. Ask him to remind you about these points when you get to the office. I have a lot on my plate at work’’ she whined.

‘’Sorry, sure. Have a blessed day’’ I said and prayed for her before she left.

Her job is one of the main reasons why we have two cars in the family and a huge contribution to the success of the church. She is the principal provider of our household. Zoe has been my rock and the reason why our church has grown so well. The children were on vacation, Davida will be following her mother to work. David and Zack will be working with me at the church. I waited for them to finish up and join me in the car before heading to the premises.

ZOE

I sank into my office chair, I just left the director’s office announcing my decision to reject the promotion. This is not time to get engrossed with work, my children need my attention. With us trying to open two new church branches, we are swamped with meetings and not to talk of raising children in their teens, this is when they need my attention the most. I have noticed Davida, my 17-year-old daughter has become secretive of late, smiling at texts and taking private phone calls. As I was contemplating on how to squeeze information out of her, she walked into my office. She was interning this long vacation, rotating departments to learn. This week, she is with the IT department.

‘’Mum, I would like to grab a snack from the vending machine. Please may I have some money? Do you want anything?’’ she asked with a pout.

‘’Yes, get me some cashew nuts’’ I said and handed her my card and she left.

Not long, Yaw barged into my office.

‘’YOU DECLINED THE PROMOTION!’’ he shouted, bewildered. I took a deep breath.

‘’Good morning Zoe, How are you? I am fine and you too?’’ I mocked as he shut my office door.

Yaw Djimah and I were one of the first employees of Nubian Mining, Ghana. Yaw is a definition of 90s fine, a unique cross breed of Aldis Hodge and Adrian Holmes with streaks of gray. He was the manager and I, a finance officer when we started. Over the years, we have made Nubian Ghana one of the best among the other branches in West Africa. Yaw was quickly promoted to CEO of the Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone cluster.

‘’Why do you keep doing this? I miss working close to you’’ he said.

‘’We are still colleagues, you have my number and you can reach me on Teams and Outlook’’ I said.

‘’I am sure it is osofo that made you take this silly decision’’ he accused as he settled himself on the visitor’s chair opposite me.

‘’He did not make me do anything, it was a joint decision. We need to focus on the church and our children’’ I said.

‘’You should have married me. I would never clip your wings’’ he stated as he stared at me intently.

‘’Do not give me that look, plus I love David, there was no way I would have agreed to be your wife’’ I said.

‘’Because of small drinking and the occasional cigars?’’ he asked.

‘’And brownies. You are a bad boy’’ I added.

‘’Correction, I was never a bad boy, you just did not like the fact that I drink whisky and smoke my cigars like the classy man I am so you ran to preacher man’’ he defended.

18 years ago

Flashback to the Friday night before Zoe’s wedding.

Zoe had bendy rollers in her sew-in, she tried to conceal with a scarf. Her nails were already done as she sat at Yaw’s desk explaining the spreadsheet and figures to him.

‘’That is why you should always pay attention during my presentation. I have no business working during my leave’’ Zoe whined.

‘’You’d rather I call you on your honeymoon?’’ Yaw asked as he leaned on the desk and faced her.

‘’I’d rather you do not call me at all. Where is Esi? She should be here by now’’ Zoe said as she stood up, trying to call her maid of honour. Esi was supposed to wait for her but decided to grab a quick snack and got stuck in traffic.

‘’Relax, or let me take you home’’ Yaw reached for her hand and Zoe flinched.

‘’It is weird that I am here at this time, let me go and wait for Esi outside’’ Zoe tried to move but Yaw stood in her way.

‘’Please don’t marry him Zoe, I love you, we make a great team!!! Imagine what we can build as a couple’’ he pleaded.

‘’No Yaw! I know we work together and have insane chemistry but I want to be realistic. I am  25, I am a church girl, you on the other hand go to church for socialisation. You smoke, drink and like to fornicate. Our values do not align, David on the other hand is everything and he loves me. He waited like me, he has been nothing but good to me and I love him. Now, excuse me’’ Zoe said sternly and Yaw let her go.

‘’I can change for you, just say the word’’ he added when she got to the door.

‘’You had your chance a year ago when I mentioned this same list. It is too late now’’ Zoe said and walked away

Present

‘’It was never going to be you’’ I said.

‘’Are you sure? Aren’t you a bit curious? Haven’t you daydreamed a little about how your life would have turned out with me?’’ Yaw asked

‘’Nope, but I am sure a baby mama would have appeared’’ I teased referring to Yaw’s predicament, he still is not married and has three children from two women.

‘’With you, never, I will never hurt you’’ he said and I scoffed.

‘’Please Yaw, is that why you barged into my office? Not to check on me, but attack me for the rejections?’’ I said alluding to the promotion and eighteen years ago.

‘’hahahahaha, yes, if I wanted you, I could have had you Zozo. I just have a lot of respect for you. I value you…If I played my cards right. You would be in my arms right now’’ he said.

‘’Yaw, please stop all this your things. When are you returning to your office in Nigeria? How come you did not tell me you were in Ghana?’’ I asked

‘’I thought you would accept the promotion, so I flew in, I ordered flowers and all, they are in the car. Only for me to read my email on my drive here and Voila! you declined and management is considering James, James!! Really!! Ah Zozo! Woa ha me! you have worried me!’’ he said, just then his driver knocked and came in with a colourful beautiful bouquet of flowers with sunflowers, carnations, white roses, purple stock flowers etc.

I took them with glee and placed them in the vase I kept on one of the drawers, I called my assistant to handle the rest.

‘’If you were with me, your vase will never be empty. That can be arranged you know’’ Yaw flirted.

‘’They are empty by choice. You know David can simply do it. Thanks for the flowers by the way’’ I said.

‘’Anytime…’’ he said.

Just then, Davida barged in with the snacks and greeted Yaw with glee. He then squeezed a 200gh note in her palm before leaving.

‘’Uncle Yaw brought you flowers?’’ Davida asked when I returned from escorting him out of the building. She took out the note attached to the bouquet.

‘’Congratulations Zozo! Cannot wait to have you in my office again! – sincerely, Yaw’’

‘’Are you moving to the Nigeria office?’’ Davida asked.

‘’No, I declined the position, Uncle Yaw thought I will accept it because of the pay and benefits’’ I said.

‘’Wait…will this pay be able to fund my dreams of you buying me a car?’’ Davida asked.

‘’Yes and so many vacations but David and Zack need stability plus the church needs me’’ I answered.

‘’Urrggggg!!! Mummy!!! Why weren’t we consulted? I am sure David and Zack will not mind!!’’ Davida whined.

‘’Your dad and I are the adults here, we know what we are doing my dear. If I take this position, you will end up parenting your siblings. Do you want that?’’ I asked and she shook her head.

‘’so…Uncle Yaw calls you Zozo. Did you ever date him or something?’’ Davida asked.

‘’Not at all, we are just friends’’ I said.

‘’Must be nice to have friends like Uncle Yaw, cause this bouquet is even bigger than what dad got you for your birthday last year’’ she said.

‘’Watch your words, young lady’’ I warned.

Not long, a package arrived for me. It was a set of four cupcakes from David, thanking me for my decision. Thank God Davida had retuned home before they came, I placed them beside Yaw’s flowers and sighed. I started daydreaming of how my life would have been with Yaw.

I quickly rebuked myself and said a prayer of forgiveness and repentance. David is my loving husband…

YAW DJIMAH

I decided to pass by my friend, Rodney’s restaurant to have a drink before heading home. We sat at one of the tables while he kept a watchful eye on his staff as we talked

‘’What brings you to town?’’ he asked.

‘’One of the kid’s birthday is tomorrow, so I want to surprise him’’ I said and checked my phone. I saw a message from Zoe thanking me for the flowers once again.

‘’Who is making you smile like that?’’ Rodney asked.

‘’Zozo’’ I answered.

‘’She is osofo maame ooo, let the woman have peace in her marriage. How good was the sex that you cannot let her go?’’ Rodney asked.

‘’We never had sex.. not even kissed. Closest was a hug’’ I answered

‘’AH! This one is new, Sharp man like you, but I thought something was happening when you brought her to my barbecue party years ago’’ he said.

‘’That was our first and only date outside the office, I found out she was a virgin through conversation after the party. I mean I just wanted to smash at that time. I knew doing that will make our relationship weird, I was somehow her superior plus she is the best at what she does. I didn’t want a hostile working environment because of that. Plus, that was her first principle, no sex before marriage. The whole point is, there were too many labels and red tapes with Zoe. I was not ready to do the work’’ I admitted.

‘’So now, what is your plan? If her text can make you smile like that, you are still not over her’’ Rodney said.

‘’Of course, I have a soft spot for Zoe. She is one of the most beautiful and intelligent women I have ever met. Which I find strange, she has been married for over a decade, three children and still I lose control when I see her’’ I said in a pensive tone and Rodney burst into laughter.

‘’Somebody’s wife!… my guy… you just want to eat and satisfy your curiosity. Trying to sound poetic. Lose control my ass’’ He mocked.

‘’I really like her’’ I said and he continued laughing.

‘’My guy, please face your front with your baby mamas or recycle one of them. Anyway, lets talk about the drinks you are to bring me from Nigeria’’ he said.

Deep down, Rodney is right. Zoe is the one lady I wanted but couldn’t have. The last box I have to tick, the last medal I need to retire. I have fooled around with a couple of taken women. The more forbidden the fruit, the tastier it is. But I swore not to tread that path again. Everytime I see Zoe, I rethink the decision. Now with her position, the red tapes have increased. I guess I have to let her go or…

Author’s Note
I hope you enjoyed the first episode. More to come in the future. Next episode drops on Saturday, 28th March 2026. Then we are back to regular programming. New episodes every Saturday at 12 noon GMT.

I decided to release this episode today because it is my birthday!! Say a prayer for the author today!