The Assemblies of God Church has introduced a new policy that prohibits its pastors from marrying outside the denomination, a move aimed at strengthening doctrinal unity and ministry alignment within the church.
The directive was announced by the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Rev. Abel Amadi, during the 2026 Leaders’ Retreat held at Evangel Camp, Okpoto, Ebonyi State.
Speaking before church leaders and ministers from across the country, Rev. Amadi made it clear that the policy must be strictly enforced by all district presbyteries, stressing that approval should no longer be granted for pastors who intend to marry women outside the Assemblies of God Church.
“No pastor should be allowed to marry outside the Assemblies of God. Presbytery, you must take note of this and ensure it is not allowed,” he stated.
Pastors Advised to Find Spouses Within the Denomination.
Further explaining the directive, Rev. Amadi encouraged pastors who are seeking marriage partners to search within the Assemblies of God across different states and regions, rather than looking beyond the denomination.
He advised ministers to remain patient and open-minded, noting that suitable partners could be found in various locations nationwide, including Rivers State, Umuahia, Enugu, Lagos, and other parts of the country.
According to him, remaining within the church increases the likelihood of finding a spouse who understands the demands of ministry and shares the same faith, vision, and spiritual values.
“As you continue, God will provide you with a woman who will support you in ministry,” the General Superintendent added.
Policy Applies Only to Pastors.
The Assemblies of God marriage directive applies strictly to pastors and church ministers and does not affect ordinary church members. Members of the church are still free to marry outside the denomination without restriction.
Church sources explained that the policy is part of broader efforts to preserve unity in leadership, reduce doctrinal conflicts in pastoral homes, and strengthen commitment among ministers of the gospel.
Mixed Reactions Within the Church
Meanwhile, the development has reportedly received support from some female members of the Assemblies of God Church, particularly in Umuahia and Aba.
Some of the women, who spoke anonymously, expressed surprise that certain pastors had previously gone to other denominations in search of wives despite the presence of many eligible women within the Assemblies of God.
They noted that the new policy could encourage stronger internal relationships and reinforce the identity of the church.
As discussions continue, the directive marks a significant development in Assemblies of God leadership policy in Nigeria, especially concerning pastoral conduct, marriage guidelines, and internal unity within the denomination.