The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, has dismissed speculation that he plans to hand over the leadership of the church to any of his biological children, insisting that the ministry belongs to Jesus Christ and not to his family.
Speaking during a church service recently, Kumuyi said suggestions that one of his sons could eventually succeed him were misplaced, stressing that the church is not a personal possession that can be transferred through family inheritance.
According to him, questions had been raised in some quarters about whether he would search for one of his children and prepare him to take over the leadership of the ministry after his tenure.
“Many people were speculating, is he going to hand over the church unto his son? Won’t he search for his first son, second son, where are they? Where do they live? Is he not going to hand over the church?” Kumuyi said.
The cleric, however, rejected the idea, maintaining that the church belongs solely to Jesus Christ and that its leadership should be determined by divine direction rather than family ties.
“Well, it’s not his church. And because it’s not his church, Jesus said, upon this rock, I will build my church. It’s the church of the Lord Jesus Christ and nobody has right to hand it over to his son,” he stated.
Kumuyi further cited biblical figures, including Peter, Paul and John, noting that none of them handed the church over to their children.
“Peter did not hand over the church to his son. Paul did not have any son or wife, but Paul did not hand over the church to his son. And John did not hand over the church to his son,” he added.
The comments come amid growing public discussions about succession in some religious organisations, where leadership transitions have occasionally involved family members. Kumuyi’s remarks appear aimed at reinforcing the principle that leadership in Deeper Life should be guided by spiritual conviction rather than hereditary succession.
Founded in 1973 by Kumuyi, Deeper Life has grown into one of Nigeria’s largest Pentecostal denominations, with branches across the country and in several nations worldwide.
The church has not announced any succession plan for its long-serving leader.
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