Femi Ashekun/
Pastor William Kumuyi, General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, has pushed back strongly against growing pressure from within the church over the issue of his successor.
Speaking during a recent Bible study session, which was shared online, the respected cleric questioned what he described as subtle agitation for leadership transition, and asked his congregation pointedly, “Are you tired of me?” The audience responded with a resounding “No!”
Kumuyi, however, did not conceal his displeasure. Referring to a sermon by a younger minister who had preached the week before, he 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, especially when your father is still here. God will give a successor at His own time.”
He stressed that the decision about his successor lies solely with God and not with any individual or group within the church.
“I reject any member of the church—whether a worker, choir member, or security person—who tries to control me,” he said. “I won’t even take that from my wife. I am the head of the home. I was preaching before I married the first one, and before I met the second one after the first died. I stand where I stand, and nobody will put me under pressure.”
Kumuyi warned against efforts to silence or sway his convictions, saying such attempts would only strengthen 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 didn’t tell you. I will keep on telling you that under your resistance until I go.”
While acknowledging the contributions of other ministers within the church, he maintained that leadership transition is not something to be rushed or forced by human hands.
“If God gives you a pastor that is still very active at this age, with a good voice, running everywhere to preach the gospel, and you are asking for a successor, it makes me think you are tired of seeing me around. You don’t want to make me feel I’m imposing myself on you.”
He concluded by assuring members that the issue of succession is not being ignored, but would be handled by divine direction.
“When the time comes, God will choose a man after His own heart. Don’t try to drive me away, even though I know you cannot.”
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