A member of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Sunday Anani, has reacted to the recent announcement by the church’s General Superintendent, Pastor William Kumuyi, on the modification of two long-standing marriage rules.

The respected cleric made the clarification during the 2025 Global Family and Marriage Conference, monitored on Sunday, August 31.

During his sermon, Pastor Kumuyi lifted the six-month courtship rule and the ban on courtship visits, allowing ladies to visit their intended husbands on the condition that they are accompanied by an elder.

Sunday Anani Speaks on Singles’ Reactions

Responding to the development on his Facebook page, Sunday Anani addressed singles in the church who had been criticizing the marriage committee.

He wrote:

“Those singles who are posting about the Marriage Committee here and there, I just wish you knew that that is the least of the worries you should have. Some singles lack clarity about what they even want. But they leave all that alone to focus on a section of the church that they have not even been to themselves.

The best experience they have is what they heard people say about the Committee. Focus on yourself and what you can do. Don’t point fingers. Your future marriage needs your intentionality more than the energy you invest in blaming others. The wise singles know this and they channel their energy to the right place.”

Mixed Reactions from Members

Anani’s comments sparked a wave of reactions from other Deeper Life members and observers online.

  • Ngozi Iwuoha-Samuel said:
    “I just laugh when young people in the church believe the marriage committee is their major problem. After the wedding day, the committee has no further business with you.”

  • Taiwo Olubukunmi Awodiran added:
    “I never regret passing through the marriage committee. If anyone regretted it, it is because their foundation was faulty.”

  • Esther Ewan noted:
    “I feel ashamed and concerned seeing the excitement everywhere. May the devil not get us over excited and distracted from the real issues that should be personalized and prayerfully internalized.”

  • Chukwuma Emeka wrote:
    “This calls for reflection, meditation, and a resolve to play our role in making things right instead of pointing fingers.”

Another member hailed Pastor Kumuyi directly, stating that he had finally clarified an issue that had long disturbed many youths in the church.

Pastor Kumuyi’s Warning to Marriage Committee

Earlier, Pastor Kumuyi had cautioned the church’s marriage committee against rigid rules, stressing that such practices risk pushing members away.

He reminded them that the committee was a church creation for guidance, not a biblical institution, and should therefore not exercise undue authority over members.