Kumuyi rejects family succession, says Deeper life Is not a dynasty

As succession debates continue to swirl around Nigeria’s biggest churches, Deeper Life founder William Kumuyi Pastor , has drawn a clear line: his church is not a family inheritance.

The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, William Folorunso  Kumuyi pastor, has firmly ruled out the possibility of handing over the leadership of the church to any of his biological children, declaring that Deeper Life belongs to Jesus Christ and not to his family. The veteran preacher’s remarks come amid growing scrutiny of succession practices in Nigerian megachurches, where leadership transitions have increasingly remained within founding families.

Speaking during a church programme, Kumuyi dismissed speculation about a family succession plan and stressed that the future leadership of the ministry would be determined by divine guidance and the church’s established processes rather than blood ties. According to him, no member of his family has been selected or positioned to take over from him, insisting that the ministry must remain focused on its spiritual mandate rather than personal interests.

“The church does not belong to me. It belongs to Jesus Christ,” Kumuyi said, emphasizing that leadership of the ministry is a sacred responsibility that cannot be treated as a family asset. He maintained that any future transition would be guided by God’s direction and the church’s governance structure rather than personal preference or inheritance.

The 84-year-old cleric said although his children have remained committed Christians and supportive of the ministry’s vision, they have not been earmarked for leadership succession. He stressed that Deeper Life’s growth and stability over the decades have been anchored on biblical principles, accountability and collective leadership, values he said would continue to guide the church long after his tenure.

Kumuyi’s comments come at a time when succession has become a major issue within Nigeria’s religious landscape. Several prominent churches founded by influential pastors have witnessed leadership transitions involving spouses, children or close family members, sparking public debate over governance, transparency and the institutional future of faith-based organisations.

Founded in 1973, Deeper Christian Life Ministry has evolved from a small Bible study group into one of Africa’s largest Pentecostal movements, with millions of members and a presence in more than 100 countries. The church is widely known for its conservative teachings, disciplined structure and emphasis on holiness.

Church members and observers have welcomed Kumuyi’s clarification, describing it as a reaffirmation of the ministry’s long-standing commitment to institutional continuity over family interests. Many believe the statement will help dispel rumours surrounding the church’s succession plans and reassure members about its future direction.

Kumuyi reiterated that his priority remains evangelism, discipleship and strengthening the church’s global outreach. Whenever a leadership transition becomes necessary, he said, it will be carried out in a manner that preserves the ministry’s mission and keeps Christ at the centre of its affairs.