Assemblies of God Bans Pastors from Marrying Non-Members

In a firm policy shift, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church in Nigeria, Rev. Dr. Abel Amadi, has mandated that all pastors marry exclusively within the church’s membership. The directive emerged during the ongoing 2026 National Leaders’ Retreat at Evangel International Camp in Okpoto, Ebonyi State, where church leaders gathered for spiritual and administrative guidance.​

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Rev. Dr. Amadi charged district presbyteries with rigorous enforcement, declaring, “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 urged single pastors to seek partners from church branches nationwide, suggesting a methodical search: start in one state like Rivers, then move to Umuahia, Enugu, or Lagos until finding a suitable match committed to ministry support.​

This instruction underscores the church’s emphasis on doctrinal unity and ministerial stability, amid reports circulating rapidly on social media platforms since January 20, 2026. While Assemblies of God has long upheld strict premarital standards, as seen in past incidents like a 2010 wedding cancellation over pregnancy concerns, this new rule explicitly targets marital choices to preserve internal cohesion.​