Despite tendering a "wholehearted" apology to the church's elders, the Deeper Life Church last Saturday suspended John Kumuyi over his recent controversial wedding in Jamaica.
Mr. Kumuyi, son of the church's General Superintendent, William Kumuyi, walked the aisle with Love Odih on June 15 in a 'society' wedding which attracted widespread condemnation.
The bride, decked in a flowing white gown - a shift from the traditional Deeper Life wedding dress - looked radiant at the wedding, her face dabbed with a touch of make up, including a lipstick.
The church operates a strict regimen on ceremonies which outlaws even video coverage during nuptials.
Mr. Kumuyi and his bride were even driven in an ash-coloured limousine, creating a buzz on social media with people wondering whether the church had relaxed its rather conservative rules or their leader's son had become exempt to them.
The groom, realizing the embarrassment he had caused the church, apologized "profusely" during the mid-year celebration programme at the Lagos-Ibadan expressway last Saturday.
"We unreservedly and wholeheartedly stated that we did not intend and do not intend that our act or omissions in any way undermine the great work that God has done through the Deeper Christian Life Ministry through our father, the General Superintendent," read the letter of apology addressed to the church and read out to the entire congregation.
The apology, however, did little to assuage the anger of the church's elders, including the groom's father, who recommended that the couple be placed "under discipline."
The Senior Kumuyi and some leaders of the church attended the wedding.
"The church, Deeper Life, remains committed to the biblical practice and standard of almost 40 years Christian dressing and still remains and does not compromise on biblical Christian dressing," said Philip Oluwi, who spoke on the church's behalf.
"Hence, deviation warrants the displeasure and frown of God and the leadership of the church," he added.
The couple's letter of apology was re-read several times at the 50,000 capacity church auditorium, sending a strong message of intolerance to disobedience to the members.
"We have now realized the far reaching effect of our actions and omissions and do plead with the church for forgiveness and also appeal that any action that should be taken be directed at John and Love, as we take this time to prayerfully reflect on our actions," the couple's apology read.
"We take full responsibility for what has happened and this action should in no way be blamed on the General Superintendent or the leaders of the church in Nigeria, United States, Jamaica, or United Kingdom and beyond." Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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What kind o apology. Where was his mind When He was preparing for the wedding
ReplyDeleteNa wetin me dey follow tok too. I feel d guy for just bone n carry on wit d suspension. Haba he's a man and shud stand by his decision. Exactly wat was his sin? O gburu mmadu?
Deleteabroad or no abroad, he wouldnt say he didnt know the doctrines of his church, especially when his father is the overseer. na them sabi sef, they should do as they like...no body really cares, salvation is personal
ReplyDeleteI do nt blame d reporters nor d comenters rada J n L who have givee them d plathform n mpetus to do so. Probably,they purposlly did it to damn d consequece later n now they have given anti-deper lifers d ground to blackmail l think they r satisfied. Must it be in Jamaica? Escuse me.
ReplyDeleteThe doctrines of Deeper Life Bible Church and the salvation message are two separate matters.
ReplyDeleteJohn Kumuyi and his new wife are married adults now. If the Deeper Life Bible Church does not want them, they should go to another church. The issue is between John, his new wife and God. People should leave them alone in peace.
There is no need to become dogmatic about one church doctrine. Different churches in Nigeria display different doctrines and yet corruption is growing unhindered in the country, even among believers. Why are people dealing with irrelevant matters? My people perish for lack of knowledge.
My message to John and his wife is that they should go and serve the Lord. They should not be confined to any church doctrine but let the Bible be their standard of measure.
'The SENIOR KUMUYI AND SOME ELDERS ATTEND THE WEDDING'..........HUM THAT GOT ME THINKING..... THE SENOIR KUMUYI AND ELDERS DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PLAN AND WHEN THEY GOT THEIR AND SAW THE LAVISHNESS COULDNT SHOW DISPLEASURE BY LEAVING? YET MY BROTHER DOESNOT HAVE A TV, RADIO OR PHOGRAPH OF HIS FAMILY JUST BECAUSE HE IS A DEEPER LIFE PASTOR IN YEWA........ DOUBLE STANDARD
ReplyDeleteNa this gist i wan take go market? abeg we get more important issues for our naija now....than to they follow the issue of doctrine or no doctrine. Na BABA GOD know who dey serve am.. No be person wey talk say him dey serve am. Chikena !!!!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous @ 9.27am, what arrant nonsense are you saying. What as the reporter and commentator does wrong. Which will take to heaven. Deeper life doctrine or Biblical principles.
ReplyDeleteIf the couple have offended the chuch doctrine, did they go wrong against the Biblical principles of being called husband and wife? You people have made the word of God of no effect because of your doctrines.
Why wear suit, why use phone, why ride cars, why use modern technologies etc and you don't want to improve your wedding......
Why pick some and drop some
Salvation is a personal race.Church doctrine will not take anyone to heaven.It is our heart and relationship with God that count, nothing more
ReplyDeleteMy dear,I taya oh! Traditions of men is pushing people away from an intimate relationship with God.
DeleteI wish this couple a happy married life. Nigerians too do!
ReplyDeleteD word of God is made of none effect cos of traditions..if making up is wrong den cutting or plaiting of hair is wrong,wearing of clean clothes is wrong,use of technology is wrong..u can as well go to d stone age..according to d Bible..men(carnal and fleshy-minded men) look @ d outward,while God sees d heart..and d Church ought to forgive as God forgives cos if d representative of God on earth(d Church) suspends a member,den d member is suspended in Heaven,only if d person did not walk against d doctrines of Christ,which is Love!
ReplyDeleteI SAY CONGRATULATION TO MR KUMUYI AND HIS WIFE,MAY GOD BLESS THEIR MARRIAGE IN JESUS NAME.AMEN
ReplyDeleteMhh...walai some doctrine are gradualy suferin extintion from d curent terain of xtaindom, let stop pretendin n tel ourselves d truth...its high time we understand the transitory phase of d kingdom...les we take d world bk 2 eighteen centuries era n oblitrate ourselves 4rm qeeuing into global advancement...if they ar against pictures why did d general oversear most times cover n stream his masages through electronic media..no be motion pictures..? Make una repakageoo
ReplyDeletePlease,they should know what they're calling 'biblical dressing'. Where in the bible is that? It's a law made by them for them in their denomination of worship and the guy should have known better. But him papa wey be GO wey attend the wedding,nko?
ReplyDeletePlease,they should know what they're calling 'biblical dressing'. Where in the bible is that? It's a law made by them for them in their denomination of worship and the guy should have known better. But him papa wey be GO wey attend the wedding,nko?
ReplyDelete