Pastor Kumuyi Declares God Alone Will Decide His Successor
During a recent Bible study, Pastor William Kumuyi made it crystal clear—his successor will be chosen by heaven, not by a committee vote or whispered suggestions in the pews. At 83, the Deeper Life Bible Church leader isn’t ready to hand over the reins, and he’s not shy about saying so.
Addressing the congregation, Kumuyi asked with a knowing smile, “Are you tired of me?” The roaring “Nooo” that followed seemed to energize him further. He then called out a subtle but pointed message from a younger preacher who had remarked the previous week that “there is no leadership without a successor.” According to Kumuyi, repeating that line twice was more than enough to raise an eyebrow—especially since, as he put it, “your father is still here.”
In his view, church leadership isn’t a popularity contest or a matter of human scheduling; it’s a divine assignment. “You are not going to fight your shepherd, your pilot,” he warned. He firmly rejected the idea that anyone—whether church worker, choir member, security personnel, or even his own wife—could pressure him out of his God-given role. “I stand where I stand, and nobody will put me under pressure,” he stated.
For those thinking of challenging his position, Kumuyi cautioned that such moves would only make him dig in his heels. “Don’t try to k!ll my conviction,” he said, noting that he would continue to speak his mind until his final day in the role. While acknowledging that he has nurtured capable ministers by giving them preaching opportunities, he stressed that the ultimate decision about succession “is in the hands of God.”
He questioned why anyone would demand a successor while he is still active, preaching far and wide, and showing no signs of slowing down. Such calls, he hinted, could be interpreted as impatience or even a polite way of saying they’d prefer someone else in his place. Still, he acknowledged that leadership transitions are inevitable—just not on anyone’s timeline but God’s.
“When the time comes, God will choose a man after His own heart,” Kumuyi concluded, adding that no amount of human persuasion could push him out before that appointed moment.