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
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