The founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, William Folorunso Kumuyi, has ruled out handing over the leadership of the church to any of his children.
In a video circulating online, the cleric, who recently marked his 85th birthday, addressed speculations about who would succeed him as the leader of the ministry.
Watch the video here.Â
According to Pastor Kumuyi, the church is not a family business but belongs to Jesus Christ.
He cited biblical examples, noting that key figures of the early church, including Peter, Paul, and John, did not hand over leadership to their children or family members.
He stressed that succession in the church should follow God’s will rather than human arrangements or family ties.
Pastor Kumuyi also referenced a sermon preached during a Bible study session in 2025 by a young member of the church. The preacher had stated that “there is no leadership without a successor,” a remark that appeared to suggest the need for a succession plan.
Responding to such views, Kumuyi maintained that only God has the authority to choose the next leader of the church.
His comments have generated reactions from members of the public and social media users.
Some praised the cleric for separating church leadership from family inheritance.
One commenter, Olaoluwa Oluyole, wrote:
“I will never go to any church where the church will be inherited like a business.”
Another commenter, Okeke Clement Ejiofor, said:
“This is interesting, but he needs to back it up with legal actions and necessary documentation, otherwise the sons may implement things differently after he’s gone.”
Others expressed mixed opinions, with some arguing that while church leadership may not be inherited, family members could still retain influence over the church’s assets and operations.
Pastor Kumuyi has consistently maintained that the future leadership of Deeper Life Bible Church should be determined according to biblical principles and divine direction rather than family succession.
