General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has cautioned church members against pressuring him to name a successor, saying only God will determine who takes over the ministry’s leadership.
Speaking during a Bible study programme, the 83-year-old cleric expressed displeasure over what he described as “subtle agitations” within the church. He warned that no individual has the authority to control or compel him to step aside.
“Are you tired of me?” Kumuyi asked the congregation, prompting a loud chorus of “No” in response.
His comments followed remarks allegedly made by a young preacher in the church who repeatedly stated that “there is no leadership without a successor.” Addressing the statement, Kumuyi said, “The brother who taught the other Tuesday kept saying there is no leadership without a successor. He said it twice. I felt that was too much, more so since your father is still here. God will give a successor at His own time.”
The Deeper Life leader stressed that biblical precedent shows succession is a divine matter, not one decided through human pressure or arrangements.
“You are not going to fight your shepherd, your pilot. I reject any member of the church, whether you are a worker, choir member, or security person, who tries to control me. I won’t even take that from my wife because I am the head of the home,” he said.
Kumuyi urged members not to undermine his mission or attempt to weaken his resolve. “Don’t try to kill my conviction. It will only make me resist you so that when you get to the other side, you won’t say I did not tell you,” he warned.
He added that while he has provided many gifted individuals in the church with opportunities to minister, the decision on his eventual successor remains “in the hands of God.”
