Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the founder of Action Chapel International, has been candid about the difficulties he faces in juggling his personal life and ministry, especially in his capacity as a parent.
He claims that his incapacity to reconcile the responsibilities of being a father and a gospel pastor has caused a rift between him and his kids.
The well-known preacher said during one of his services that he only realized this as he became older and more experienced.
“Now that I’ve developed and matured, I check out a lot of things and have realized the mistakes I did. I was 23 when I got married while I was a child. Many things were beyond my understanding.
Because ministry was difficult back then, I lived a nomadic existence and was never home. Because the church was unable to provide for me at the time, I had to travel for six, sometimes eight, weeks to North and South America, Asia, and South America in order to make ends meet and support my family.
I was taught early on that relying on people, offerings, or tithes can only give you pain. After that one incident, I resolved to rely only on God for my needs.
“It will require a great deal of grace and wisdom to bridge the gap that has been created when I look back and consider the lives of my children. I was never there, and that’s what caused the void,” he said.
Even though he met their financial requirements, Duncan-Williams was aware of the emotional vacuum his absence caused.
For him, nothing can ever fully replace the emotional bond he once shared with his children only a father’s love will do.
“I made sure they had all they needed and paid their school expenses, but I was never present. I’ll leave after that. Most of the time, I am exhausted even before I arrive, and by the time I wake up
“They’ve already departed for school by the time I get up, since I wake up at midnight, pray, and then go back to sleep. I’m at the office by the time they return, and they’re asleep when I get back from the office. and it continued for a long time. I didn’t realize at the time that, while living with and providing for them, I was an absentee parent and that I didn’t fully comprehend many things.
That is to say, it goes beyond simple provision; emotional connection is necessary, and it was lacking. Thus, he said, “They had to raise themselves, learn how to be survivors, and create some things to fill the void, but nothing can fill it except the love of a father.”
