September 10, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
The General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William F. Kumuyi, has announced significant changes to long-standing marriage and courtship regulations in the church.
Speaking at the Global Family and Marriage Conference on August 31, 2025, Kumuyi declared that the rule forbidding single men and women from visiting each other during courtship has been cancelled. Henceforth, intending couples will be permitted to visit one another, provided such visits are accompanied by a church elder.
He also announced the abolition of the church’s mandatory six-month courtship period, describing the guideline as an administrative arrangement rather than a biblical instruction. According to him, the timeline for courtship can now be adjusted to suit individual circumstances, whether shorter or longer than six months.
Kumuyi explained that while biblical commands remain unchangeable, administrative rules set by the church are flexible and may be reviewed to reflect current realities. He further clarified that the so-called “marriage committees” within the church were never meant to wield absolute authority, but rather to provide guidance to intending couples.
The development marks a major policy shift for Deeper Life Bible Church, which has been widely known for its strict rules governing relationships, courtship, and marriage among members.
