The Senior Pastor of Celebration Church International, Emmanuel Iren, has spoken out on the delicate topic of interfaith marriage, sparking widespread reactions across social media.
During a recent service, the cleric addressed a question from a Christian woman who was seeking advice about marrying a Muslim man despite their religious differences and her family’s objections.
Responding before the congregation, Apostle Iren stressed that, within Christianity, marriage is more than an emotional decision. He explained that it is a covenant guided by divine principles rather than personal preferences.
He stated:
“Marriage is not something you redesign to suit your feelings. It is like entering a house you did not build. You don’t move in and start changing the structure because you didn’t design it. God did.”
Referencing the biblical warning about being “unequally yoked,” the pastor maintained that spiritual compatibility is essential in Christian unions. He noted that differing beliefs especially concerning the identity of Jesus Christ can create a fractured spiritual foundation.
While many members of the congregation resonated with his analogy, others online viewed his comments as a fresh trigger for ongoing conversations about faith, love, and compromise in modern relationships.
Apostle Iren further cautioned that the true challenges in interfaith marriages often become evident after the wedding, particularly when children are involved.
“In Islamic doctrine, a Muslim man can marry a Christian woman, but the children from that union automatically belong to the father’s religion,” he explained.
He further noted that promises made during courtship may change once marriage begins and religious expectations take priority.
He added that there have been instances where Christian women later struggled to practise their faith freely after marriage, with their children being brought up strictly according to their father’s religious beliefs.
See post below:
“I have a Muslim boyfriend, should I marry him or break up with him?”
Apostle Emmanuel Iren: 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/iXftl90WwO
— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) February 26, 2026