marriage of the second son of the General
Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church
(DLBC), John Kumuyi, to his heartthrob,
former Miss Love Odih.
It would be recalled that John and Love had
tied the nuptial knot on June 15, 2013 in
Jamaica, but there has been much ado about
how the bride dressed, in comparison to other
weddings held in the church within and outside
Nigeria.
The crux of the matter is that Deeper Life Bible
Church does not entertain ostentation or
flamboyance in such celebration, but the bride
put on a wedding gown, ear rings, applied
make-up and held a bouquet. All these, people
say, are not in consonance with the church's
doctrine.
Following some scathing remarks from
members and non-members of the church on
social media over how the bride was dressed
during the weeding, John and Love were placed
on discipline. They were also enjoined to seek
the face of God and ask for forgiveness.
However, on Saturday, June 29, 2013, during
the church's mid-year celebration programme
held at the Deeper Life Conference Centre,
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and broadcast live to
branches all over Nigeria and some parts of
Africa via satellite, the newly wedded couple
tendered a letter of apology to the church.
''We unreservedly and whole-heartedly state
that we did not intend that our acts or
omissions will, in any way, undermine the great
works that God has done through the Deeper
Christian Life Ministry worldwide and more
especially, through our Father in the Lord, the
General Superintendent.
''We also use this medium to profusely and
sincerely apologise to the General
Superintendent for the embarrassment and
heartaches, our actions have caused him, more
so that he had earlier declined to be at the
events.
''This, notwithstanding, we fully accept that
having been nurtured, taught and brought up
with the sound teaching of the word of God, we
should have been able to draw the line, which
we failed to do.
''We have now realised the effects of our actions
and omission and do plead with the church for
forgiveness and also appealing that any action
that should be taken be directed at John and
Love, as we take this time to prayerfully reflect
on our actions. We take full responsibility for
what happened, and this action should, in no
way, be blamed on the GS, or the leaders of the
church in Nigeria, United States, Jamaica or
United Kingdom and beyond.''
In his reaction to the letter of apology, a
member of the church with the name Dpresideo
says, ''Personally and to the best of my opinion,
they have nothing to apologise for. The reason
is that they have not sinned in any way and I
don't see why they should be castigated or
disciplined, as this would only aggravate the
level of hypocrisy in the church! I shall continue
to follow the General Superintendent's
(Kumuyi's) doctrine of holiness and not human
principles and personal 'puritanism' which does
not take you to the gate of heaven, except
holiness.''
Anniettieufia in his own reaction, notes,
''Children of nowadays, you want to tell me that
in that church they don't have marriage
committee and counselling team? I perceived
they warned them, but they wouldn't listen,
after all, na my papa get church wetin concern
you? That apology is too late. Repent, for the
kingdom of God is at hand.''
In a related development, Arowolo
Anuoluwapo, argues, ''In my opinion, that
apology was not necessary. The church should
be the one to apologise for conducting a
wedding they would not allow for ordinary
members. The apology doesn't solve issues.
Traditions need to be reviewed if progress is to
be made, or else the future remains bleak.''
An elder of the church who spoke to
LEADERSHIP Weekend on grounds of
anonymity, explained that Sister Biodun (late
wife of Kumuyi and mother of John) was
among the 15 members that started Deeper Life
Bible Church in April 1973. He noted that
Biodun nurtured John and his elder brother,
Jerry in the way of the Lord, adding that Love
could not have displayed nonchalance or
disregarded the church's doctrine if Biodun
Kumuyi were alive.
The elder who also disclosed that Love is the
daughter of the National Overseer of DLBC in
Jamaica while Pastor W.F. Kumuyi is the
founder of the church, wondered why they
acted contrary to the church's doctrine, thereby
heaping opprobrium or sarcasm on their
parents and leaders who had nurtured them
spiritually just because of wedding, a few hours'
event.
Another pastor, Debe Oduah, in his reaction,
noted that the new wife of Kumuyi, Esther,
spent decades in the United Kingdom before
she got married to him, but that she neither
wore wedding gown not ear rings during her
wedding with Pastor Kumuyi in London a
couple of years ago.
According to Pastor Oduah, ''Even if wearing of
wedding gowns or ear rings, etc cannot prevent
one from going to heaven, is one not expected
to be loyal to authorities or to obey rules and
regulations where one works or worships?
''Thus, John and Love have put a stumbling
block or an occasion to fall in their brethren's
way (Romans chapter 15 verse 13). The apology
letter is hocuspocus and medicine after death
because they willingly chose to be rebellious.
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