Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, has refused to conduct marriage rites for its members.

The Youth Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State branch of the church, on Saturday refused to wed the couple because they reportedly arrived at the church about 35 minutes late.

Guests at the wedding ceremony were left confounded. While some have condemned the act, others are in support of the church for instilling discipline and time consciousness.

One of the guests, Akan Udom, on his Facebook time line, wrote: “We just gathered around the couple and snapped pictures. At least that’s the much we could do.

“Let no one deceive you, traditional wedding is what is required to be man and wife. If you so wish, you could go for Church wedding or court marriage. It is not a must to do church wedding. Our parents no do, we are not dead.

“If a Pastor says he won’t wed you for whatever reason, go look for another Church and Pastor.

“Enough of twisting the bible and making people go through troubles.”

Another post from a member of the church reads: “You fixed a date for your wedding and the church which you are a pastor starts service by 10am.

You were called by the head of the church marriage committee by 9:45am to remind you of the time, which instead of communicating with the pastor that maybe you had challenges which would have saved the situation, you said you were close to the church afterwards refused to pick up several calls.

You arrived the church premises 10:50am and your bride arrived about an hour after, with no valid reasons even after you refused to pick up calls.

The officiating minister, who had another scheduled event (which you are fully aware), left the church about an hour after the slated time because while you just showed up, your bride is still yet on her way.

Now the whole world is talking about how heartless the pastor is. If I may ask, Oga and Madam the owner of the BIG DAY, what kept you guys back, that you had to come to church on your supposed BIG DAY that late?

What stopped you from picking up calls to at least brief the church that there is a situation you are sorting out?

To those writing and criticising, why is that, it is only the things that concerns the church that must be tolerated?”

However, the seemingly not bothered couples continued with the order of photographs and later proceeded to the village for traditional marriage.