The controversy generated by the marriage of the second son of the General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, John Kumuyi, to his heartthrob, former Miss Love Odih, has taken a new dimension.
John and Love tied the nuptial knot on June 15 in Jamaica, but the ceremony had been a subject of debate on social media over how the bride was dressed, in comparison to other weddings held in the church. The church’s belief does not entertain flamboyance in such occasion.
In the wedding pictures that circulated widely on blogs, online forums, discussion groups and other social networks, the bride, who happens to be the daughter of the National Overseer of DLBC in Jamaica, was seen putting on a wedding gown, ear rings, holding a bouquet and applied make-up — all of which are alien to the church’s doctrine.
However, the couple tendered a letter of apology to the church, saying they have “realised the effects of our actions and omission’’; adding that they may have been distracted by cultural differences, as both of them had lived overseas for many years.
The letter was read to the congregation on Saturday during the church’s mid-year celebration programme held at the Deeper Life Conference Centre, Lagos-Ibadan Expresway and broadcast live to branches all over Nigeria and some parts of Africa via satellite.
The letter, which was read on behalf of the couple at about 8pm on Saturday, read in part, “John and Love Kumuyi write to express our deepest and most sincere apology for the turn of events, that have resulted on our traditional and wedding ceremonies, that took place in Jamaica on 13th June and 15th June, 2013 respectively.
We unreservedly and wholeheartedly state that we did not intend that our acts or omissions will, in any way, undermine the great works that God has done through the Deeper Christian Life Ministry worldwide and more specifically, through our Father in the Lord, the General Superintendent.
We also use this medium to profusely and sincerely apologise to the General Superintendent for the embarrassment and heartaches our actions have caused him, more so that he has earlier declined to be at the events.
This, notwithstanding, we fully accept that having been nurtured, taught and brought up with the sound teaching of the word of God, we should have been able to draw the line, which we failed to do.
We have now realised the effects of our actions and omission and do plead with the church for forgiveness and also appealing that any action that should be taken be directed at John and Love, as we take this time to prayerfully reflect on our actions. We take full responsibility for what happened, and this action should, in no way, be blamed on the GS, or the leaders of the church in Nigeria, United States, Jamaica or United Kingdom and beyond.”
The apology has attracted cheers and jeers on social media from Nigerians, including many who claim to be members of the church.
