Founder and Lead Pastor of Celebration Church International, Emmanuel Iren, has advised a Christian woman against marrying her Muslim boyfriend, citing biblical principles and sharing an example of an interfaith marriage that later became troubled.
The counsel came during a church service after a woman sought guidance about her relationship with a Muslim man she described as loving and marriage-worthy, despite her Christian background and her parents’ strong disapproval of Muslims.
Responding from a biblical perspective, Pastor Iren said marriage is not something individuals redesign to suit their emotions. He likened it to moving into a short-let apartment, explaining that one does not alter the structure because they did not design it — God did.
According to him, Scripture is clear that believers should not be “unequally yoked” with unbelievers. He stressed that the issue is spiritual rather than emotional, referencing the biblical passage that questions how the temple of God can have fellowship with idols.
To illustrate his point, the cleric recounted the story of a Christian woman who married a Muslim man who initially appeared supportive of her faith. He said that before the marriage, the man had no objections to her attending church. However, after the wedding, he allegedly stopped her from going to church.
The situation reportedly worsened after they had a child. The pastor claimed the child was given an Islamic name, dedicated according to Islamic rites, and that the woman was prevented from raising the child in the Christian faith — despite earlier assurances from her husband that such issues would not arise.
Pastor Iren emphasised that purpose should come before pleasure in choosing a life partner. He maintained that spiritual alignment and shared values are essential for building a stable and purposeful home, urging believers to prioritise faith compatibility over emotional attachment.
