Mass Wedding: Over 1,500 Couples to Wed in IPHC’s Grand Easter Ceremony

The International Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC), under the leadership of Comforter Michael Sandlana, is set to host a mass wedding where over 1,500 couples will exchange vows on Easter Sunday. This event marks a significant increase from the 800 couples who married during the 2023 mass wedding, which was also held under Sandlana’s leadership. The IPHC spokesperson, Priest Vusi Ndala, described the ceremony as a “rare, monumental and a glittering occasion” that has drawn attention from local and international media.

Ndala noted that the IPHC has long been associated with these large-scale weddings, which are part of the church’s Easter traditions. The 2025 event will take place at the newly built The Dome, the largest congregational space in the church’s history. The number of couples participating has more than tripled compared to previous years, with a notable increase in polygamous marriages. Some grooms will be marrying their second, third, or even sixth and seventh wives during the ceremony.

Polygamy is a practice that the IPHC embraces and holds in high regard. Ndala cited Isaiah 4:1 as the inspiration for the church’s stance on polygamy, referencing the biblical passage that speaks of seven women holding on to one man. He explained that the tradition is rooted in African cultural practices and is considered a way to “extend families” within the congregation. The church’s approach to marriage includes both monogamous and polygamous unions, reflecting a broader cultural context.

The IPHC’s mass weddings have become a notable feature of its public identity, drawing participants from across the region. The 2025 event is expected to be the largest in the church’s history, surpassing previous records and drawing international media coverage. The ceremony will be held at The Dome, symbolizing the church’s growth and its commitment to its traditional practices. The event underscores the IPHC’s role in both spiritual and communal life, highlighting its influence within the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition.

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