Pastor William Kumuyi rejected calls for a successor, insisting leadership change will come in God’s time.
He warned church members against pressuring him, affirming his commitment to continue leading actively.
General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, has firmly dismissed growing calls within the church for him to name a successor and resign, warning members against what he described as “subtle agitations” over leadership change.
Speaking during a Bible study session, the 83-year-old cleric recalled how a member had persistently preached about the need for a successor, prompting him to ask the congregation, “Are you tired of me?” The question drew an emphatic “No” from the audience.
Kumuyi criticized an unnamed young preacher who repeatedly stated that “there is no leadership without a successor,” saying the remarks were unnecessary while he remains active in ministry. “God will give a successor at His own time,” he insisted.
Using biblical analogies, he warned against challenging his leadership: “You are not going to fight your shepherd, your pilot. I reject any member of the church, 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. I stand where I stand, and nobody will put me under pressure.”
He cautioned members not to undermine his conviction or mission, stressing that such pressure would only make him more resolute. While acknowledging that he frequently allows gifted members to preach, he maintained that the decision on succession “is in the hands of God.”
“If God gives you a pastor still active at this age and you ask for a successor, it makes me think you are tired of seeing me around,” he said. “Don’t try to drive me away, even though I know you cannot. When the time comes, God will choose a man after His own heart.”
