Anti-Christmas stance: Kumuyi loses members

Some members of the Deeper Life Bible Church, who appeared not pleased with the position of the General Overseer of the church, Pastor William Kumuyi, on the celebration of Christmas, were yesterday seen attending other churches to partake in the celebration with other Christians.


Kumuyi had stirred the hornet’s nest earlier in the week when he reportedly condemned the celebration of Christmas, describing it as idolatry. His position has, however, drawn a number of reactions across the spectrum of the Christian fold.

A popular media personality and member of the church, who did not want his name mentioned, was spotted at the St. Barnabas Anglican Church Cathedral, Murtala Road, Ilorin, where he had gone to worship with members of his family as a way of protesting the position of his General Overseer.

Another member of the church also told the newsmen that he worshiped for the first time in 20 years at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Sabo Oke in Ilorin, because of the pronouncement of the Deeper Life Church general overseer, which he did not agree with.

His words; “I was born into Baptist Mission; I attended Baptist schools in my younger days and got my childhood Christian upbringing as a Baptist. I feel bad that a man of God that I so much revered could say such a thing about our Lord Jesus Christ even in the open.

“If that position is not retracted, I may not say yet, what will be my decision as a member.”

Meanwhile it was observed yesterday that doors to many Deeper Life Churches in Ilorin, the state capital, were closed while the traditional campground of the church at Eiyenkorin was deserted when it was visited.

Sources revealed that the customary camping that used to spread to the early hours of December 26, was suddenly cut short on Sunday and members were instructed to go back home.

The Christmas celebration was, however, very peaceful in Ilorin yesterday though with the presence of armed security men in major churches.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state, Olufemi Fabode, while speaking with journalists confirmed that the command increased the presence of its personnel around the churches in town to ensure a smooth and safe celebration.

According to him, the combined men of the usual patrol vans and the newly inaugurated ‘Operation Harmony’ were drafted out to complement security arrangement in the city while the number of patrols at night were also increased to include several stop and search spots at many locations during the night.