The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, is celebrating his 85th birthday today, June 6. Tributes have continued to pour in from across the world, including from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, in honour of the renowned cleric.
Born on June 6, 1941, in Erin-Ijesha, Osun State, Kumuyi founded the Deeper Life Bible Church in 1973 as a Bible study fellowship for students at the University of Lagos, where he worked as a mathematics lecturer.
Over the decades, the ministry has grown into a global Christian movement with branches in several countries. Through the Global Crusade with Kumuyi, the preacher has continued to lead evangelistic outreaches worldwide.
Although he remains one of Nigeria’s longest-serving church leaders and has authored numerous Christian books and teaching materials, many people know little about his personal journey. Here are five key facts about the celebrated clergyman.
Background
Pastor Kumuyi was born into a devout Anglican family in Erin-Ijesha, Osun State. According to accounts of his early life, his family maintained a strong culture of worship, often beginning their days with hymns, Bible reading, and prayers.
However, it was during his secondary school years, away from home, that he experienced a personal conversion to Christianity and developed a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
Education
Kumuyi completed his secondary education at Mayflower School, Ikenne, Ogun State, in 1961. He later attended the University of Ibadan, where he graduated in 1967 with a First Class Honours degree in Mathematics.
His academic excellence earned him the distinction of being the top graduating student in his set. He subsequently pursued postgraduate studies in Education at the University of Lagos.
Expulsion
While serving as a mathematics lecturer at the University of Lagos in 1973, Kumuyi started a Bible study group with 15 students seeking a deeper understanding of scripture. The fellowship later became the foundation of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry.
In 1975, he was expelled from the Apostolic Faith Church following disagreements over his teachings on the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
He Founded One of Nigeria’s Largest Churches
Following his departure from the Apostolic Faith Church, Kumuyi continued his independent ministry, which evolved into the Deeper Life Bible Church in 1982.
The ministry has since expanded globally, with hundreds of thousands of members and branches in numerous countries. Its international headquarters is located in Gbagada, Lagos.
The church’s main auditorium, inaugurated on April 24, 2018, has a seating capacity of about 30,000 worshippers. The event was attended by then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other dignitaries.
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Family
Pastor Kumuyi met his first wife, Abiodun Olowu, in September 1972. She was one of the early members of his Bible study group and later became an active part of the growing ministry.
The couple married on September 13, 1980, and had two sons, Jeremiah and John.
Abiodun Kumuyi died on April 11, 2009. Eighteen months later, on October 13, 2010, the cleric married Folasade Adenike Blaize in London. At the time, she served as the Administrator of the Deeper Life Bible Church in London.
