ACCUSED OF BEING A SEPARATIST
I cannot confirm all the story quoted by the author but agree with the message.
In the old days of DLBC, many accused the man of God that he had inculcated a superiority complex spirit in his members. It was whispered in those days that most Deeper Life members think "Good, better Deeper Life". Admittedly, it is a tall order to control how people posture about their church but I haven't found this widespread belief to be backed by fact.
Please be patient with me as I prove my stance with real occurrences over the years.
*The so-called battle of the Chrises
We may recall that one of the greatest controversies that shook charismatics in Nigeria in recent times happened in 2001 between Pst Chris Okotie and Pst Chris Oyakhilome. Many pastors were quick to make comments. But not W.F. But during a press conference for the national youth convention 2002 tagged "SAY", a journalist cornered Kumuyi to make a statement. She asked what his view was about the warring pastors. The G.S asked the journalist "Are you born again? It will be improper for me to bring issues about born again believers and discuss it with an unbeliever". Not to be outdone the reporter insisted she was a bonafide Christian to which the GS smilingly replied "Then you ought to have known that if I had things to tell either of the pastors, I would do that privately" While some used the opportunity to browbeat either of the pastors, Kumuyi spoke with maturity and understanding calling both men brothers. Where then is the divisiveness of which he was so often accused?
We may recall that one of the greatest controversies that shook charismatics in Nigeria in recent times happened in 2001 between Pst Chris Okotie and Pst Chris Oyakhilome. Many pastors were quick to make comments. But not W.F. But during a press conference for the national youth convention 2002 tagged "SAY", a journalist cornered Kumuyi to make a statement. She asked what his view was about the warring pastors. The G.S asked the journalist "Are you born again? It will be improper for me to bring issues about born again believers and discuss it with an unbeliever". Not to be outdone the reporter insisted she was a bonafide Christian to which the GS smilingly replied "Then you ought to have known that if I had things to tell either of the pastors, I would do that privately" While some used the opportunity to browbeat either of the pastors, Kumuyi spoke with maturity and understanding calling both men brothers. Where then is the divisiveness of which he was so often accused?
Similarly we all remember the Sis Linda vision. My! That tore open the Pentecostals in this nation much like Daddy Freeze's banter on tithing. Sister Linda said in her afterlife experience Jesus Himself had told her unless people dressed like Deeper Life they'd not make heaven. All roads therefore was leading to Deeper Life but the G.S was displeased. He saw it as a trick of Satan to take people's eyes off the Bible and on to extra-scriptural authentication. Twice he denounced the Sister Linda videos and banned them from being showed in a Deeper Life Church. That speaks volumes of his sincerity. He held firm to his convictions but won't allow a subjective verification of them. He sticks to the Bible.
The third story is even more stirring. (I have told it before). David Oyedepo who it can be argued differed from the GS substantially theologically had a case of insanity with a female member of his church. The lady was brought to his house and after prayers, she only had temporary reliefs. She lapsed again into insanity momentarily. So the Winners Bishop decided it was best the woman lived with them so her faith would be built for a perfect deliverance.
One day the said lady approached Oyedepo with a concerned look. She told of how anytime she prayed alone, she saw W.F Kumuyi's face. She didn't know what it meant. Bishop Oyedepo knew. "It can only mean one thing! God wants Pst Kumuyi to pray for you. I see him as not just a bonafide minister but a senior and higher ministry than myself" With that the compassionate bishop penned a handwritten letter on his letterhead and sent the sealed letter with the unstable lady to Kumuyi with his own personal driver"
You guessed it! When Kumuyi read the letter, he laid hands on this sister and she was instantly and permanently healed. But Kumuyi sent her back with his own handwritten note on his letterhead. "Here is your daughter. I am sending her back to you. I have prayed for her as the Lord instructed and she's been gloriously healed!"
Pastor Kumuyi holds tenaciously to his beliefs but he also opens his hand of fellowship to others of like faith who doesn't believe exactly as he does. In fact, in his earliest days and now, three of his foremost mentors were John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon and Charles G. Finney. His aggressive evangelism and stance on holiness came off of Wesley's influence primarily and Finney as well. Till today he holds on to the doctrine of sanctification as a distinct work of Grace. But in his inimitable exegetical teaching of the Bible one can see the influence of Spurgeon, the British Prince of preachers.
I have written previously of his being influenced by RCCG's iliterate founder. Baba Akindayomi was partly responsible for pressuring the young Kumuyi to give up celiibacy. Kumuyi was so certain of Jesus soon return when he set out in the ministry that he could hardly cherish the thought of getting married! Akindayomi argued soundly though that it was easier for a young pastor who is unmarried to be tempted and distracted than if he was married.
Even though not too strong on healing and baptism in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of tongues, W.F Kumuyi has been reported to have been influenced on those themes by Kenneth E. Hagin and others. (Archbishop Ben Akosa wrote so)
This writer is of the view that if the church at large approach the anointed teachings of Kumuyi with as much open heart as he has apparently followed other people's teachings, the church in general would be better served. There is far too much moral failings in Christendom lately with ministers falling the hardest!
Ponder on this. By 1987, Deeper Life Bible Church had as many as 50,000 members and was the third single largest congregation in the World! Yet, Kumuyi was preaching hard on holiness, moderation and tough reforms. It brings to heart the question Jesus asked the Jews "But what went ye to the wilderness to see?...A prophet! Yeah I say!..."
I pray many will take up from this humble man of God and preach the disappearing but needed gospel of Character!
