Over the last few years, there’s been a lot of buzz about who might take over from Pastor William F. Kumuyi as the General Superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministries. A lot of folks out there think that Pastor Kumuyi will hand the reins to his son, which has stirred up quite a bit of discussion. There are other senior pastors in the church who see themselves as worthy successors too, so it’s not an easy decision for him to make.
Not many people know that Pastor
Kumuyi has two sons, Jeremiah and John. Jeremiah is the eldest, and then
there’s John, the younger one. Lately, John has been making a name for himself,
both within the Deeper Life community and beyond. He had been a bit quiet on
the public front for a while, but his recent appearances at key church events
have definitely caught people’s attention. People seem keen to learn more about
his background and career, and whether he might step into a bigger role in the
ministry.
At the 2024 Deeper Life Retreat, John
took the lead, coordinating and ministering at an uplifting service called
Experience Spiritual Renewal. Since then, he’s been becoming more involved in
church activities and programmes. With Pastor Kumuyi getting on in years and
managing a global movement, there’s been more chatter about who might take his
place. John seems to be a strong candidate, especially since he’s seen as more
qualified compared to Jeremiah, who some feel isn’t as deeply rooted in church
life.
Not many know that this young man is
based in the USA. Infact, he is an IT expert there and isn’t so
desperate about his father ministry.
John Kumuyi was born into one of
Nigeria’s most revered Christian families. His father, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, is
the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry
(Deeper Life Bible Church)—a globally recognized Pentecostal denomination known
for its conservative values and emphasis on holiness, modesty, and strict
discipline.
He lost his mother in 2009. In 2010,
his father William Kumuyi tied nuptial kno t with his second wife,t with Esther
Folashade Kumuyi who is his step mother.
Raised in this deeply spiritual
environment, John developed a strong Christian foundation, though he later
pursued a path that combined faith with professional expertise.
John Kumuyi has carved a niche for
himself in the corporate world as a Financial Systems Developer and IT
professional with over 15 years of experience. His work focuses on:
His ability to bridge technology and
business strategy has made him an asset in the finance and IT sectors. This
same blend of skills could become vital if he takes on leadership roles in
Deeper Life in the future.
In a surprising shift, John Kumuyi
made his first official public ministry appearance as a Guest Music Minister
during the Global Crusade with Kumuyi and the Annual December Retreat held at
the Deeper Life Conference Centre in Lagos.
This was in 2024, and since then his
appearance has unsettled a lot of people within the church especially who see
themselves as a worthy successor.
One of the top Pastors of the church
told us that, truly a lot of people feel
Baba should pick someone within the church fold. Someone who understands the
do’s and dont’s of the church. Someone
who knows the doctrines and how the church operates not his son who has lived
majority of his life outside the country.
A lot of people want Pastor Kumuyi to pick one of his close pastors so
that the church’s legacy can be sustained.
So, though his son’s sudden appearance
is begining to cause tension it has also marked a symbolic return to the
spiritual legacy of his family and was seen by many as a potential indication
of future ministry involvement.
In 2013, John Kumuyi got married to
Love Odih, the daughter of the Deeper Life National Overseer in Jamaica. The
wedding, which took place in the United States, sparked intense debate and
global backlash from members of the Deeper Life Church and the publc.
The controversy stemmed from the
couple’s deviation from Deeper Life’s conservative wedding standards. The
issues included:
The bride wore a flowing white gown
and used makeup—both of which contradict Deeper Life’s dressing doctrine. The
wedding featured a limousine entrance—seen as ostentatious and worldly. Video
coverage and modern styling were perceived as incompatible with the church’s
traditional approach. Despite the
apology, church authorities placed John and his wife under suspension,
including his father, Pastor Kumuyi, who emphasized the need to uphold
doctrinal values without favoritism.
Who is John Kumuyi’s wife? Her name is
Love Odih, daughter of the National Overseer of Deeper Life in Jamaica. The
couple has remained largely private since their wedding.
John Kumuyi represents a unique blend
of traditional Christian upbringing and modern professional expertise. While
his 2013 wedding brought significant controversy, his more recent appearances
suggest a reemergence into the public spiritual scene of Deeper Life.
It has been said that though no
official succession plan has been announced, but many observers believe he may
be undergoing private mentoring or strategic grooming behind the scenes.
But whether he becomes Pastor Kumuyi’s
successor or simply continues to support the ministry in other capacities, one
thing is clear: John Kumuyi’s journey is far from over, and his life will be
closely watched by church members, leadership observers, and Christian
communities across the globe.
According to a long time member of the
Church, Dae Jumong, he says John Kumuyi doesn’t necessarily needs Deeper Life
church as it’s being specualted.
“John Kumuyi appears not to be
interested in leadership positions in Deeper Life! He is doing well in his
secular job in America!
John Kumuyi, the younger son, John has
followed a different path working in the United States for over 15 years in the
field of technology and finance.
John’s work helps businesses save
time, reduce mistakes, and make smarter decisions. Even though he’s not a
full-time pastor, he recently joined his father at a church event, singing and
worshipping. Many people see this as a sign that he may be stepping into
ministry more in the future.
His story reminds us that serving God
can happen in many ways—through preaching, through music, or even through your
everyday job.
Jerry is a medical practitioner in
America and John is an IT/Financial expert. Both seem uninterested in taking up
leadership positions in Deeper Life. This suggests that we are likely going to
see a non family member take over leadership from Pst Kumuyi in the nearest
future. This we believe is very good because there are many unsung powerful and
spiritually loaded generals in the church who would seamlessly fit into the
shoes of Pst Kumuyi.
– Isaac Abimbade, Citypeople
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