Church Denies Wedding Over Pregnancy Test Requirement, Couple Weds Elsewhere
NIGERIA – A planned wedding at Assemblies of God Church, Okpu 2, took an unexpected turn after the church refused to officiate the ceremony when the couple declined an unusual requirement—a pregnancy test for the bride.
Despite meeting the church’s initial expectations, Michael and Rebecca Obinna had their wedding canceled on the day of the event, forcing them to find another venue at short notice.
The couple had completed baptismal classes and fulfilled all material and physical requirements demanded by the church.
However, an additional condition required Rebecca to stay overnight with the officiating pastor’s wife and deaconesses, where the pregnancy test would be administered.
When the bride refused, the church canceled the ceremony, disappointing guests who had traveled from far and near for the occasion.
Determined to proceed with their marriage, Michael and Rebecca quickly arranged to be wed at another church in the city.
Despite the challenges, the couple expressed gratitude for finding an alternative solution. “It wasn’t easy, but love won in the end,” Rebecca stated.
The incident has sparked debate online, with divided opinions on the matter.
Some defend the church’s authority, arguing that couples should comply with doctrinal expectations when choosing where to wed.
Others criticized the requirement as unnecessary and intrusive, emphasizing that religious institutions should be more transparent about their expectations.
@Ada_O: “Thank you for saying my mind! It’s not compulsory to wed in any church. Just find one that matches your personal beliefs.”
@Tunde_X: “Their church, their rules. A few years ago, a bride in Akwanga was found pregnant on her wedding eve. The groom hadn’t been with her recently, and she later confessed the pregnancy was from an ‘away match’ she had shortly before the wedding. Imagine if the church hadn’t conducted the test.”
@Chika_N: “If you know your church rules, no need to complain. This isn’t new in Assemblies, so let’s not paint them as villains.”
@David_Y: “All these young couples should familiarize themselves with church policies before proceeding with wedding plans.”
According to Daily Post, such practices are not uncommon, particularly within the Assemblies of God Church, where strict marriage guidelines have existed for years.
