Pastor William F. Kumuyi recently wedded on Tuesday in London to new wife , former Ms. Esther Folashade Aduke Blaize.
A statement by the Church Secretary, Pastor Livinus Nnadozie, confirmed the story making the rounds in the last couple of days that the former Mathematics lecturer at the University of Lagos, tied the nuptial knots with former Ms. Esther Folashade Aduke Blaize in a solemn ceremony in London.
The statement said: “Pastor William Kumuyi sparked joy and spontaneous happiness among members of the church when he got married recently in London.
“She is the administrator of the church in London. Esther, 65, was never married before, but had committed her life to the service of the Lord. The solemnisation ceremony of the couple’s Christian marriage took place in London on Wednesday, October 13.”
Dressed in a modest business suit, Pastor Kumuyi watched as his bride, Esther, resplendent in a pink and purple skirt suit, took the vow of marriage.
Guests at the wedding were later entertained at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in London.
Until the recent wedding, last week, the new bride now being referred to as Queen Esther, was the church secretary in charge of the London branch of the church.
Until the recent wedding, last week, the new bride now being referred to as Queen Esther, was the church secretary in charge of the London branch of the church.
Like late Mrs. Biodun Kumuyi, the new Mrs Esther Kumuyi is said to be one of the 15 founding members of the church in August 1973 at his living room at the University of Lagos.
According to sources close to the church, the ceremony which was preceded by a registry formalities was presided over by three clerics—one Nigerian and two British—Pastor Philip Oluwi, Pastor David Murray and Dr. James McDonnel. It was low keyed and devoid of glamour, only attracting a few invited guests from Nigeria.
The couple walked in to the Metropolitan hall with the wife dressed in a gown with a black coat on top and a hat to match instead of the usual turban while pastor Kumuyi was Dressed in a modest suit, Pastor William Kumuyi and Esther Blaize, clad in a pink and purple skirt suit, exchanged the marriage vow last Wednesday to the singing of Hymns before a short exhortation by the officiating minister, Dr. McDonnel who enjoined the couple to lead exemplary lives.
Guests were later ushered into the Crowne Plaza Hotel, London for a reception ceremony . And just like that, the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry got married for the second time. Two days ago, key leaders of the church across the country, who were not privileged to attend the modest ceremony, were made to watch the video of the proceedings.
Pastor Kumuyi lost his first wife, Biodun on April 11 last year. He took the news with calm. He even went on to handle the convention and shocked many by preaching at the funeral of his late wife.
At the time of her death, Kumuyi was 70 years old. When asked last year if he was going to take a new wife, he said it was too early to think of that. With his age, not a few also thought he might just stay unmarried for the rest of his life.
A statement by the church yesterday said Kumuyi’s decision to remarry was not entirely his. The statement endorsed on his behalf by the church’s Secretary, Pastor L Nnadozie said his marriage to Esther sparked joy and spontaneous happiness among members of the church.
The statement reads: “Pastor Kumuyi had lost his wife, Biodun in April last year. The death of the woman affectionately called ‘mummy’ or ‘mama’ by members of the church, became a cause for concern for leaders in the church as she was almost inseparable from her husband. The church leaders were so concerned that the pastor must not remain lonely, that they led a delegation to encourage him to begin praying to God to give him another wife. The leaders also began praying for their pastor to get another partner. Although initially reluctant, Pastor Kumuyi later prayed and testified to the leaders that God had answered their prayers. This is what culminated in the marriage ceremony in London”.
The new wife, whose other names are Folashade Aduke, is the National and International Woman Co-odinator of the church. She is 65. And wait for this: she was never married, because, according to source, she committed her life to the Lord.
The presiding cleric then proceeded to join the couple and thereafter declared the twosome husband and wife. According to the statement added that the wife of the General superintendent is the national and international women co-ordinator of the church, a role that cannot be filled by any other woman.
We pray on them all the best as Jesus Tarries.
God has the final say... God bless
christian regards!