The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor W.F Kumuyi, has always been known as the father of Jerry and John, two sons born to him by his wife, Abiodun, who sadly passed away a couple of years ago. The two young boys were quite unobtrusive in the church, and did not enjoy the privileges of the ‘sons of the pastor,’ as would have been the case in other places.

They sang in the children choir, later graduated into the youth choir, and were quite active there till they went abroad in search of the golden fleece. They came into their own, became professionals, and have been living in the United States of America for some time. Though not a member of the Deeper Life Bible Church in the strict sense of the word, I am fairly close to the ministry. I also know Pastor Kumuyi fairly well, since that time I first interviewed him as Features Editor of National Concord in 1996. Two pastors with the church, Segun Babatope and Eluem Emeka Izeze, are media top shots, and have always facilitated my meetings with Kumuyi.

When Abiodun was buried in April 2009, I was at the funeral service in the sprawling campground of the church in Ayobo, Lagos. I still clearly remember the tribute paid by the senior son, Jerry, to his departed mum. If there was a staid, sober family, groomed in the finest traditions of Christian puritanism, it was the Kumuyis.

A number of times, I had privately wondered how Jerry and John coped with life in ‘godless’ America, and also asked myself whether they would become preachers like their dad, a great apostle of holiness, if ever there was one. Jerry and John kept their low profile, inconspicuous lifestyle, and were great ambassadors of the church, and of their father, at least till June 15 this year, when the younger son decided to take a wife.

Yes, young men must marry, nothing incompatible with holiness in that, or is there? In getting married, Christians are urged not to be “unduly yoked together.” It simply means they should not go for someone that does not share their faith. John Kumuyi did not rebel against the heavenly vision.

He went for Love Odih, daughter of a thoroughbred, dyed-in- the- wool Deeper Life member and pastor. Her father had been State Overseer in Cross River State, and is now National Overseer of the church in Jamaica. Iron was surely set to sharpen iron, “ just as a friend sharpens the countenance of his friend.” The deed was done in Jamaica on June 15, but rather than be the quiet, solemn, subdued ceremony that the Deeper Life Church is known for, it has thrown up a whiff of controversy, leading to the suspension of Mr and Mrs Kumuyi as workers in the church.

At a time they should be savoring the conjugal bliss of marital life, they now have to worry about this fatwa of some sort, this Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.

What were the ‘sins’ of the young Kumuyis? You know how Deeper Life conducts its weddings. No frills, no pomp, no ceremony. “Let your moderation be known to all men, the Lord is at hand.” No fitted, flowing wedding gowns, no bouquet of flowers, no wedding cake, no long bridal train, and nothing of the kind of wedding gown in which you see the breasts of the bride threatening to pop out and hit the officiating pastor in the face.

Not in Deeper Life. Never. Not when the Lord is at hand. And of course, no permed hair, no make- ups, no jewelry of any sort. That has been the tradition since Kumuyi started the church in the 1970s. And you didn’t think it was his son that was going to remove the ancient landmarks, no matter how long he had lived abroad. But see Love Odih in Jamaica on June 15. She pulled out all the stops, broke all the rules, and almost set the church on fire round the globe.

The new Mrs Kumuyi stepped out in a fitted wedding gown, with see through short sleeves, carried a bouquet of flowers, wore jewelry, and her face was made up.

Her relaxed hair was even partially uncovered in church. Pastor Kumuyi and his new wife, Esther, were there in their puritanical estate. Did they develop apoplexy on seeing the bride? Were they pleading the ‘blood of Jesus’ and asking for mercy? Did they feel like crawling under a table to hide? Well, the wedding held, and each went to his home. But the story did not end there. A mighty controversy broke out in Deeper Life Church, threatening to overshadow decades of holiness preaching by Kumuyi.

The wedding pictures hit the Internet, and it generated debates almost worldwide. Are there two sets of rules in Deeper Life, one for the members, and another for the ‘first family?’ If it had been the children of ‘lesser’ people, would they not have been sanctioned for flouting the practices of the church?

Will this rebellion go unpunished? Will Pastor Kumuyi bend the rules because his son was involved? When I first saw the wedding pictures online, I felt it was computer manipulation. No, this would not be the wedding of Kumuyi’s son, when the world had not yet ended, I told myself. But it turned out real. It was John and his bride, and no mistake.

Well, I am an old school Christian. I believe the old school is the real school. I subscribe to old time religion, it’s good enough for me. But I by no means condemn the new generation believers, as long as they hold on to the essentials of the faith- salvation through the shed blood of Jesus, holiness, righteousness and purity of life, heaven, hell, judgment- and so on. In essentials, unity, in non-essentials, liberty. For me, certain things constitute non-essentials to getting to heaven.

How you did your hair, or decided not to do it, how you painted your face, or decided not to paint it, how you carried your bouquet of flowers, or decided not to carry it, how long or short the sleeves of your dress was, and so on. But there is Christian moderation and modesty. If your heart had been truly circumcised through the new birth, there were certain things that would be unseemly, and naturally offensive to you. The word of God becomes a lamp to your feet, and a light to your path, and you want to obey implicitly. So I don’t split hairs over what anybody wears or doesn’t wear. If something has happened in your heart, it manifests on the outward. Simple. You can’t run with the hares and hunt with the hounds.

But this piece is not about me, it is about John Kumuyi and his bride, so let’s return to them. These are my concerns and posers, without necessarily condemning the newlyweds. Did they forget the children of whom they were?

Did they forget that the eyes of the world would be on them? Did they do right? Did they do wrong? Let’s check two scriptural passages germane to the issue at hand. Proverbs 22:28.”Remove not the ancient landmarks, which thy fathers have set.” 1 Peter 3, 3 and 4:”Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

Kumuyi has preached the above with fervency all his life. He even weeps on the altar at times when he talks of how the modern church has watered down the word of God. Being members of Deeper Life Church, did John and Love do well to have attempted to remove the ancient landmarks accepted as fundamental by the church? You answer. Again, the church is known for not using adornment of any kind.

Was Love, daughter of a National Overseer right to have broken ranks, while she remained a member of the church? Did she commit a sin, or did she not? You answer. Yet again. Did Love wear the jewelry and make up her face only on wedding day? Did her father not know long before now that she wore jewelry? This time, let the father of the bride answer.

And did John not know that the outward appearance of his bride would cause ruckus in the church, and as son of the General Superintendent, it might not be expedient? John, please answer. But if Love was the one John loved, and she is truly regenerated, loves the Lord, but is not convinced that using adornment is a sin, should Kumuyi’s son not have followed his heart? If he had married someone who conformed in terms of external appearance, but was worse than the Devil inwardly, would that have been wise?

You answer. Questions, and more questions. Was the church right in suspending the new couple? Will Love now discard her earrings and pomade before being restored to membership? What if she does not, will she go to hell? What if John asks her to now conform, and she says no, does he then put her away?

We know there is no room for divorce in Christian marriage, “ For I hate putting away, says the Lord.” So, does he carry the cross of a disobedient wife for life? Or does he live with the guilty conscience of having repudiated what his father preached for decades? Or do they move to another church that does not frown at adornments and lively dressing?

Should they? Wouldn’t they be further breaking the hearts of their parents, and making them feel like failures? Is there sin in this entire matter? I don’t think so. But I don’t have the final say, God does. But is there disobedience, and some form of rebellion? I think there is. And “ rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” 1 Samuel 15:23.

After their suspension was announced last weekend by the church, a letter of apology written by John and Love was equally read, in which they said they did not willfully break the rules of the church, and that their action was informed by the fact that they had lived abroad for some time, and were distracted by the cultural differences. Does this mean that there is a God for those who live in Nigeria, and another for those who live in other parts of the world? And does that God have different instructions for conduct, depending on the part of the world you lived in? I don’t understand.

Somebody help me. Now that the young Kumuyis have apologized, should they be forgiven? Some people say yes, others say no. To err is human, to forgive divine. But did they err in the first place? Yes, in the context of the church to which they belonged, they erred. But did they sin? You answer. I only know that the Good Book says “ he that knows what is right to do, and does not do it, to him it is a sin.” But then, what is right in this circumstance? Oh, these questions will not stop.

I have always wondered what will happen to Deeper Life after Kumuyi. I put the question to him one time in an interview. And he told me he would want the church to stay faithful to the holiness message, and to evangelism, after he has gone to his reward. But right before the eyes of the preacher, the goalpost is being shifted, the ancient landmark is being removed by no other than his own beloved son. What does this say of post-Kumuyi era? Or is it time for the church itself to begin to ‘loosen up’ and bend some of its own rules deemed anachronistic by the younger generation? Like I said earlier, I am old school, and it is good enough for me.

But what of those who think we are stuffy and archaic? If this has started happening right in the household of Kumuyi, will the current practices endure after him? Are we having a foretaste of the Deeper Life of the future? Will it be a better church, or will it amount to backsliding? I don’ t know the answer, maybe you do. I’m all ears.
- Femi Adesina

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/columns/the-dust-raised-by-kumuyis-son/

kumuyi's son was the one getting married, not kumuyi himself.

its not the first time members' kids would get married, so i doubt there was anything never seen before about the process save in the minds of idle people.

some of these things done in churches are not in God's word.
They are mere traditions. Established by men and forced on their followers.
The couples did nothing wrong by the standard of God's word.
The lady must have tried to look good to herself even though if it was just that once. Wedding is a once in a life time event. We dont do it every 3 months.
All what they did is not wrong. Its ok by God's word but bad by church traditions.

Pygru: Another one again



https://www.nairaland.com/1350890/pastor-tunde-bakare-condemns-deeper

The pastor sef condemns just too much. I hope he knows he aint perfect. The funny thing is he never condemns the world but the church. I wonder if Jesus would condemn the church like this guy does.
On another note, i hope he aint trying to seek relevance through his criticisms.

I am of the old school old time xtianity too & proud of it.I've visited Deeper life & can testify that there is nothing they do that is based on any traditions of men as people keep ranting falsely on this forum.They have full scriptural basis & backing for their teachings on moderation in dressing & everything else & they always choose the extra mile of deep consecration to godliness that people abhor these days.It is true that people have diverse meaning & interpretations for different scriptures these last days.So If you or your church interpretation potrays that you can go nude on the street or wear arrays that cost multibillions, good for you till christ returns & tells who is right.In the mean time let all the meaningless criticisms against deeper life cease.If you hate their standards then go to another place.You don't expect all the churches to be the same & allow all looseness that go with modern civilization.God's standards remains the same no matter the level of civilization.

^^^^

Leave cults and follow JESUS.

idnoble135:
The pastor sef condemns just too much. I hope he knows he aint perfect. The funny thing is he never condemns the world but the church. I wonder if Jesus would condemn the church like this guy does.
On another note, i hope he aint trying to seek relevance through his criticisms.

True talk bros.That pastor reminds me of one Mr frosbel,the chief false teacher of this forum.He does nothing else than codemn churches including the true ones.You hardly ever see him condemn the world & the multitude of wickedness therein.He'll present different false interpretations of the scriptures and hold them as final.

i didnt mention the word unclad. How does you wearing ear rings, or other clothes take away your salvation? How does musical instruments do any wrong? Mr, i do know what i am saying.

bizmahn: I am of the old school old time xtianity too & proud of it.I've visited Deeper life & can testify that there is nothing they do that is based on any traditions of men as people keep ranting falsely on this forum.They have full scriptural basis & backing for their teachings on moderation in dressing & everything else & they always choose the extra mile of deep consecration to godliness that people abhor these days.It is true that people have diverse meaning & interpretations for different scriptures these last days.So If you or your church interpretation potrays that you can go nude on the street or wear arrays that cost multibillions, good for you till christ returns & tells who is right.In the mean time let all the meaningless criticisms against deeper life cease.If you hate their standards then go to another place.You don't expect all the churches to be the same & allow all looseness that go with modern civilization.God's standards remains the same no matter the level of civilization.

frosbel: ^^^^

Leave cults and follow JESUS.

Meaning, no man can save you except JESUS! I have always believed in the principle of "Let man be man and God be God"

tomakint:
Meaning, no man can save you except JESUS! I have always believed in the principle of "Let man be man and God be God"

i agree with you bro. The truth is only Jesus can save a person. Some young believers not having matured in walking with God need who to look up to. Even paul told the corinthians church who were carnal and babes to imitate him, AS HE IMITATES CHRIST.

Wareva

idnoble135: i didnt mention the word unclad. How does you wearing ear rings, or other clothes take away your salvation? How does musical instruments do any wrong? Mr, i do know what i am saying.

Oga, I wasn't replying you in that post.I was replying the topic of this thread & in conjuction with other threads on this kumuyi matter.I quoted you when i replied your remark about Bakare.

frosbel: ^^^^

Leave cults and follow JESUS.

No one should regard this double standard personality called Frosbel.His strategy is always to hide under the name of our Lord Jesus & call all churches cults including living churches.Yet himself will stylishly present unimaginable error teachings like hell does not exist,Jesus is not God & Such heretic teachings.He's a wolf in sheeps clothing & all must beware!!

bizmahn:
No one should regard this double standard personality called Frosbel.His strategy is always to hide under the name of our Lord Jesus & call all churches cults including living churches.Yet himself will stylishly present unimaginable error teachings like hell does not exist,Jesus is not God & Such heretic teachings.He's a wolf in sheeps clothing & all must beware!!

My dear, I am not the one promoting out of body , near death witchcraft visions of hell and heaven, I am not the one binding grievous burdens on God's children, rather it is the cults that you represent that need to retrace their steps and repent.

tomakint:
Meaning, no man can save you except JESUS! I have always believed in the principle of "Let man be man and God be God"

Only JESUS can save.

Yes.

bizmahn:
True talk bros.That pastor reminds me of one Mr frosbel,the chief false teacher of this forum.He does nothing else than codemn churches including the true ones.You hardly ever see him condemn the world & the multitude of wickedness therein.He'll present different false interpretations of the scriptures and hold them as final.

There is only ONE TRUE CHURCH , and this is how Paul described it :

"25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." - Ephesians 5:25-27

bizmahn: I am of the old school old time xtianity too & proud of it.I've visited Deeper life & can testify that there is nothing they do that is based on any traditions of men as people keep ranting falsely on this forum.They have full scriptural basis & backing for their teachings on moderation in dressing & everything else & they always choose the extra mile of deep consecration to godliness that people abhor these days.It is true that people have diverse meaning & interpretations for different scriptures these last days.So If you or your church interpretation potrays that you can go nude on the street or wear arrays that cost multibillions, good for you till christ returns & tells who is right.In the mean time let all the meaningless criticisms against deeper life cease.If you hate their standards then go to another place.You don't expect all the churches to be the same & allow all looseness that go with modern civilization.God's standards remains the same no matter the level of civilization.

Almost anything doctrine you want to follow in this world, you will find a passage in the scripture to back it up

frosbel:

Only JESUS can save.

Yes.

if you are still following this thread, i'd really like to listen to you. Whats your gospel and doctrine in its entirety.

idnoble135:
if you are still following this thread, i'd really like to listen to you. Whats your gospel and doctrine in its entirety.

I have no gospel or doctrine of my own.

If you want to know the gospel I believe in and preach, read Acts 1 - 58.

please help me https://www.nairaland.com/1351708/please-defending-research-proposal-tommorrow#16692872

idnoble135:
if you are still following this thread, i'd really like to listen to you. Whats your gospel and doctrine in its entirety.

He's a sheep in wolves clothing.He operates as an angel of light.He uses the name of JESUS to decieve.He will sound so gentle,nice & amiable in his posts & you get carried away only for him to inject deadly poison of false strange teachings that will encourage people to sin more.He says there is no hell therefore no punishment for sinners,He calls all churches secret cults.I could go on but don't believe me but just spend time in prayer & let God Himself show you.Also read more of the threads below where he's also mentioned.
https://www.nairaland.com/1350436/frosbel-highly-questionable
https://www.nairaland.com/1244157/beware-false-teachers-parading-themselves

bizmahn:
He's a sheep in wolves clothing.He operates as an angel of light.He uses the name of JESUS to decieve.He will sound so gentle,nice & amiable in his posts & you get carried away only for him to inject deadly poison of false strange teachings that will encourage people to sin more.He says there is no hell therefore no punishment for sinners,He calls all churches secret cults.I could go on but don't believe me but just spend time in prayer & let God Himself show you.Also read more of the threads below where he's also mentioned.
https://www.nairaland.com/1350436/frosbel-highly-questionable
https://www.nairaland.com/1244157/beware-false-teachers-parading-themselves

slander me forever , I will carry on to the very end.

who is this femi adelana?

frosbel:

slander me forever , I will carry on to the very end.

Satan will certainly continue till the very end before God will unleash judgement wrath on him.If you refuse to repent of your determination to subtly drag souls to hell,you will face God not just at the end but in the now.But I pray you repent.

frosbel:

I have no gospel or doctrine of my own.

If you want to know the gospel I believe in and preach, read Acts 1 - 58.

chapter one to fifty eight? Not up to 58. Or a typographical error. Humm, are the above things said about you true?

@Bizhman, i hear you. Its fair to give everyone a fair hearing.

tomakint:

The new Mrs Kumuyi stepped out in a fitted wedding gown, with see through short sleeves, carried a bouquet of flowers, wore jewelry, and her face was made up.

- Femi Adesina

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/columns/the-dust-raised-by-kumuyis-son/

Junk journalism. Who told them that the bride wore jewelries?

bizmahn:
He's a sheep in wolves clothing.He operates as an angel of light.He uses the name of JESUS to decieve.He will sound so gentle,nice & amiable in his posts & you get carried away only for him to inject deadly poison of false strange teachings that will encourage people to sin more.He says there is no hell therefore no punishment for sinners,He calls all churches secret cults.I could go on but don't believe me but just spend time in prayer & let God Himself show you.Also read more of the threads below where he's also mentioned.
https://www.nairaland.com/1350436/frosbel-highly-questionable
https://www.nairaland.com/1244157/beware-false-teachers-parading-themselves

address his message and stop attacking personalities

frosbel:

slander me forever , I will carry on to the very end.

that one no be slander.
Atleast he never reach the one you are doing in that Dl thread.

That bride was beautifully modestly adorned,but of course it's a big deal to dl.i thought they were permitted to carry on with d wedding, n kumuyi was even in a pic or 2 smiling.why so much fuss now? And i learnt love's father was suspended,that should mean kumuyi wud toe dat line too.it wud be unfair if kumuyi isnt relieved of his duties too.i've been in dl n i knw hw badly parents re treated n ostracized for d "sins" of their kids.kumuyi prolly didnt knw his hardline wud boomerang n hit him right between his eyes.What goes around comes around.

idnoble135:
chapter one to fifty eight? Not up to 58. Or a typographical error. Humm, are the above things said about you true?

what was I thinking , maybe the UK summer heat is getting to me.

Acts 1 - 28 .