Founder and General oversea of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has dismissed speculations that he may likely hand over the leadership of the church to any of his biological sons.
Kumuyi said the ministry belongs to Jesus Christ and not to him.
His remarks follows recurring discussions in some Christian circles about succession planning and the transfer of leadership in large religious organisations.
Adressing the issue during a recent church programme, the cleric said some people had been searching for information about his children in anticipation of a possible family transfer of leadership.
“Many people were speculating, is he going to hand over the church unto his son? Some were searching for his first son and searching for his second son, asking where they are and where they live,” he said.
He, however, stressed that the church is not a personal possession that can be inherited by family members, declaring that he is not handing it over to his sons.
“You see, Jesus said, ‘Upon this rock, I will build my church.’ Jesus said it is His church. It’s not Peter’s church. It’s nobody’s church,” Kumuyi stated.
He added that no church leader has the right to transfer ownership or leadership of Christ’s church to a biological child simply because of family ties.
“It’s the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and nobody has the right to hand it over to his son,” he said.
Kumuyi further referenced biblical figures, highlighting that key leaders of the early Christian church did not pass on spiritual leadership to their descendants.
“Peter did not hand over the church to his son. Paul did not hand over the church to his son. John did not hand over the church to his son,” he said.
Kumuyi further reiterated that the focus of believers should remain on advancing God’s kingdom rather than on personalities or family succession.
He stressed that those who stood firm in the Christian faith were committed to the kingdom of God, which, according to scripture, “is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
Reiterating his commitment to God’s will regarding the future leadership of the church he said, “I was not about to hand that over to any son. The will of the Lord be done in Jesus’ name.”
(The Whistler)
