Pastor Kumuyi: ‘Nobody Can Pressure Me to Name a Successor’

By Iyojo Ameh

General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, has declared that he will not succumb to pressure from anyone to appoint a successor, insisting that God alone will choose the next leader of the church when the time is right.

Speaking during a church service, the 83-year-old cleric reacted to a recent teaching in which a worker twice stressed the importance of succession in leadership.

“Are you tired of me?” he asked the congregation. “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 respected preacher emphasised that no member — whether worker, choir member, or even his wife — could dictate to him on the matter.

“I stand where I stand and nobody will put me under pressure. Don’t try to kill my conviction. If God gives you a pastor still active at this age, running everywhere to preach the gospel, and you are asking for a successor, it makes me think you are tired of seeing me around.”

Pastor Kumuyi, who founded Deeper Life in 1973 in Lagos, urged members to support his ministry rather than attempt to push him aside. The church, now one of Africa’s largest, boasts branches in more than 50 countries and over one million members worldwide.

“When the time comes, God will choose a man after His heart,” he assured. “Don’t try to drive me away even though I know you cannot.”