Veteran Nigerian preacher and founder of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, William Folorunso Kumuyi, popularly known as Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, has firmly dismissed growing speculation surrounding the future leadership of the church after his tenure.

The respected televangelist addressed the issue in a viral video that has sparked conversations across religious and social circles, especially among members curious about whether one of his children would eventually succeed him as General Superintendent of the church.

Speaking candidly during a sermon, Kumuyi emphasized that the ministry does not belong to any individual or family lineage, insisting that Jesus Christ remains the true owner of the church.

“It’s the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and nobody has the right to hand it over to his son,” he declared.

The cleric also reacted to public curiosity surrounding his family, revealing that some individuals had gone as far as investigating the whereabouts of his sons amid assumptions that succession plans were already underway.

“Many people are speculating, asking if he is going to hand over the church to any of his sons. They were searching for his first son and his second son, asking where they were and where they live. Or is he not going to hand over the church?” he said.

Kumuyi went on to reference biblical figures to support his position, noting that early Christian leaders never treated the church as personal property to be inherited by their children.

“Well, it’s not his church. And because it’s not his church, Jesus said, ‘Upon this rock, I will build my church.’ Jesus said it’s His church and not Peter’s church; it is nobody’s church,” he stated.

Drawing examples from the Bible, the preacher added that Apostle Peter, Apostle Paul, and Apostle John never transferred spiritual leadership to family members, stressing that the work of God should remain guided by divine direction rather than bloodline interests.

“Peter did not hand over the church to his son. Paul did not have any son or wife, and John did not hand over the church to his son,” Kumuyi added.

The revered preacher concluded by making his position very clear, saying, “I’m not about to hand over to any son. The will of the Lord be done in Jesus’ name.”

The statement has since generated widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians praising Kumuyi for speaking against hereditary leadership in churches, a practice that has increasingly become common in some ministries across the country. Others described his comments as a bold reminder that spiritual institutions should not be run like family businesses.

Founded in 1973, the Deeper Christian Life Ministry has grown into one of the largest Pentecostal movements in Africa, with branches in several countries around the world. Kumuyi, widely respected for his conservative teachings and disciplined lifestyle, remains one of Nigeria’s most influential Christian leaders.

Watch the video below:

“The reason why I will never handover Deeper Life church to any of my biological sons is because the church doesn’t belong to me. It’s Jesus church. Nobody has right to hand it over to his son.”

— Pastor Kumuyi says pic.twitter.com/gK7KaQpqNw

— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) June 10, 2026

Source: Yvonne Nyarko Agyemang