Social media has been abuzz with a viral video of Pastor Williams Kumuyi, founder and general superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church.
In the video, Pastor Kumuyi debunked rumours about his move to the UK, clarifying that his recent travels are part of his global crusade, a testament to the far-reaching impact of his ministry and not a permanent move.
Speculations increased in May after Daystar Christian Centre senior pastor Sam Adeyemi confirmed his move to the US.
The 83-year-old televangelist addressed the issue during a church service on Sunday, which was shared on the church's official Facebook page.
Mr. Kumuyi mentioned that he had recently traveled to several countries and that the time differences between the countries he visits and Nigeria make broadcasting his activities back home impractical.
Time difference
His global crusade took him to several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, requiring travel adjustments and periods of rest.
He said, “You must have read that I moved to the UK. “Did I move?” he asked. “I didn’t move anywhere. But because I went to a crusade and a conference, and the conference and the crusade are not broadcast here, we do them there.
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“We have a time difference. In some countries I visit, like the one I visited in May, there is a time difference of about seven hours. When it is 7 a.m. here, in another country it is 2 a.m. There is no way to be able to transmit that here because of the time difference.”
He recounted how he travelled from Aba, Nigeria to the Philippines, Dubai and other cities in the UAE, and how he needed to rest, which led him to his short trip to the UK.
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“It was a long trip, and after that long trip, I got on a plane and went here and there. After those trips, I needed a few days of rest so I wouldn’t come back tired, exhausted, and not be able to preach again. So I waited. And as I passed that time, they told me I had moved.”
The influential pastor stressed that claims about his relocation are misleading.
He urged his congregation to dismiss these rumours and focus on the truth of God’s Word, reaffirming his commitment to the spiritual well-being of the congregation. “I’m sure you’ve read that I moved to the UK. Did I move? I didn’t move anywhere,” he said, emphasising his unwavering dedication to his church.
Mr Kumuyi expressed surprise that some church members believed the rumours. He recounted one instance where a member sent a letter to the church's UK branch, assuming he had moved there.