The Assemblies of God Church in Nigeria has introduced a new policy requiring its pastors to marry within the denomination. The directive, announced by General Superintendent Rev. Abel Amadi, prohibits pastors from marrying women who are not members of the Assemblies of God. This decision was made public during the 2026 Leaders’ Retreat held at Evangel Camp in Ebonyi State.
Rev. Amadi instructed district presbyteries to enforce the policy strictly, emphasizing that no pastor should be granted approval to marry outside the denomination. He advised pastors seeking marriage partners to search within the church across different locations, rather than looking outside the denomination. According to Rev. Amadi, this approach will help pastors find suitable partners who can support them in their ministry.
The policy does not apply to regular church members, only to pastors. The move has reportedly gained support from some female members of the Assemblies of God Church in Umuahia and Aba, who find it surprising that some pastors choose wives from other churches despite the large number of eligible women within their own denomination.
The Assemblies of God Church is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in Nigeria, with a significant presence across the country. The new policy is seen as a way to promote unity and strengthen the church’s internal bonds. By encouraging pastors to marry within the denomination, the church leadership hopes to foster a sense of community and shared values among its members.
The implementation of this policy may have significant implications for the church’s social dynamics and ministerial assignments. As the church moves forward with this new directive, it will be important to monitor how it affects the lives of its pastors and members. With its large following and influence in Nigeria, the Assemblies of God Church’s decision is likely to be closely watched by other Christian denominations and religious organizations.
