General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, has said that the choice of who will succeed him is solely God’s decision, not that of the congregation.

During a Bible study session later posted online, the 83-year-old cleric addressed what he called subtle agitations over his succession, stressing that no one has the authority to force him out of leadership.

“Are you tired of me?” Kumuyi asked, drawing a loud “Nooo” from members.

He criticised comments by an unnamed young preacher who, during a teaching the previous week, repeatedly said, “there is no leadership without a successor.”

“The brother who taught the other Tuesday kept saying there is no leadership without a successor. He said it twice. I felt that was too much, more so since your father is still here. God will give a successor at His own time,” Kumuyi stated.

He reminded the church that leadership is a divine appointment, not a decision for members to make. “You are not going to fight your shepherd, your pilot. I reject any member of the church, whether you are a worker, choir member, or security person, who tries to control me. I won’t even take that from my wife because I am the head of the home… I stand where I stand and nobody will put me under pressure,” he said.

According to him, attempts to undermine his position will only strengthen his determination. “Don’t try to kill my conviction. It will only make me resist you so that when you get to the other side, you won’t say I did not tell you. I will keep on telling you that under your resistance until I go,” he warned.

Kumuyi noted that while several capable ministers have been given opportunities to preach, the appointment of his successor “is in the hands of God.”

“If God gives you a pastor that is still very active at this age, with a good voice running everywhere to preach the gospel, and you are asking for a successor, it makes me think you are tired of seeing me around. You don’t want to make me feel I’m imposing myself on you,” he said.

He concluded by acknowledging that leadership change will come, but only at God’s appointed time. “When the time comes, God will choose a man after His own heart. Don’t try to drive me away, even though I know you cannot.”