Kumuyi: Defender of the Faith, everyone’s tonic in good and stormy times

The biography, ‘Kumuyi: Defender of the Faith’, the book on the lives and times of the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) is a tonic that not only sees one live a successful and accomplished life, but also helps one in times of troubles and challenges.

Oftentimes, we find ourselves in situations when we feel weak and incapable of doing anything. Obstacles are all we see on our way. In such circumstances, the best decision is to turn the elixir, defenders of the Christian faith, whose lives serve as mirror for what we would want to become.

At the book’s promotion event organised by the International Friendship League (IFL) which held in Lagos on Sunday, the life of Pastor Kumuyi as reflected in the book, ‘Kumuyi: Defender of the Faith’, critically positioned the book as a handy instrument not only to build better persons, but better families, organizations, institutions, groups,  governments, nations and the world at large.

In his opening remarks at the event attended by cream de la cream of the society, including Pastor Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President Muhammadu Buhari, the corporate community and notable pastors, Chairman of the event, Pastor Olubusola Oluwabanwo Samuel quoted the scripture: “Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people,” a mantra of Pastor W. F. Kumuyi, to make the world the much needed better place.

Pastor Oluwabanwo said that, the biography gives us the insight into Pastor Kumuyi’s disposition at time like this. “Clearly, in his carriage, character, continence and contribution to the national discourse, we are told that he is unaware of the politics of the day. He spoke even obtusely on political upheavals. He has intervened boldly on the decline in moral ethics in the society. Let me illustrate this with a quote from the book: “The story is told of how a former civilian governor invited him to his state house to address his cabinet. The cleric spoke so convincingly and pointedly on corruption in public office that the governor had to lead his cabinet to a serious soul-searching session on the message of the man of God.”

“He believe and teaches that all of man’s exploits, including his immense political forces, are all at the behest of the Almighty God. He prefers to focus always on what would profit the whole society rather than taking sides with any political hue or overheat the society unnecessarily. His mantra is that ‘righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”’

His firm position is that when you truly love the Lord and His Word, you must love, honour and obey those he has installed in power as president, governor, council chairman and other constituted authorities.”

Olubusola Oluwabanwo called on Nigerians to take a cue form Pastor Kumuyi in the prevailing challenging times and allow God to perfect the imperfections in our lives, society and country at large.

He stated that ”in our country, as it is well known, we are facing some of the most severe challenges in history. Security of lives in particular, have given a great cause for concern. There is bloodletting for inexplicable reasons. The education sector has been hobbled for months. The cost of living. The price of virtually everything, including food, has been rising. The economy generally is in great straits, yet, it is at such a time that we are entering a new political season, that we are preparing to elect ne leaders for our nation.

The tendency for people is to become despondent, some might even assume the toga of social critics or worse still, seek recourse to self-help, including violent acts. At such a time, what should be the attitude of Christians?

Providing an answer to the prevailing scenario in the country, the positioned the book as guiding light.

“For an answer, we cannot have a better approach than that exhibited by Pastor Kumuyi, the General Superintendent  of the  Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM). His life shows that a time like this, a time of social instability and intense political activities, believers, especially servants of God must not plunge head on into partisan politics, become doomsday prophets, nor should they take sides with any political coloration. Instead, they should maintain respectable neutrality and be seen always as dignified messengers of hope and verity.”

On the role of Christians in the time of elections, he called on Christians to always shine as light of the world and apostles of good deeds.

‘’The role of Christians generally is to make sure, whether in election time or not, Christians shave very important roles to play. Christians have the role of at least knowing that they stand for the nation at all times, the job of leading any group pf people is not an easy job.

Leading a whole nation like Nigeria with a population of over 200 million people cannot be said to be easy, so Christians must always be on their knees praying to God always for wisdom, for grace for our leaders for strength at all times.

“For them to have the mind of God, when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, when the wicked rule, the people murmur. If we fail to pray for our leaders, we will spend our time grumbling and murmuring.

“When we pray for our leaders, God will intervene and they will do the right thing that will bless the people. We also need to pray for the peace of our Jerusalem, we have no other place to go, when we pray for the peace, all these problems that we are having, Go can take care of them more than anyone and we will lead the leaders the right way to take care of them.

Pastor Femi Adesina, in his remarks, described the book as a companion and would always buy more, not only for himself and his family, but to pass on to many other people to also benefit from the abundant richness of the book.

“I am glad to be here for the promotion of this book. ‘Kumuyi: Defender of the Faith’. I’ve been part of the first presentation, but when I got the invitation to attend this one, I gladly accepted. And you know what, if there is another invitation, I will gladly attend,” he said.

Adesina stated “I think it is the second event to be organised by the IFL which I’m attending. One thing I enjoy is real church music and I know that once I attend any Deeper Life Church event, I will listen to real church music.”

Paying glowing tribute to Pastor Kumuyi and his prayers for the people in government, Adesina said, “I recall that sometime in 2018, Pastor Kumuyi came to Aso Rock Chapel. We had invited him to the chapel to give us a Sunday message. It was September 30, the eve of October 1. He was to attend the October 1 celebration at the Eagle square, and so on September 30 he came to speak to us at the Villa Chapel.

When we asked him, could you please pay a courtesy call on the president the following day after we finished at the Eagles square, he said, why not?

So, I went to visit the president, I told him that Pastor Kumuyi is in town with the wife and the ministers, he will love to visit you. He was gracious to say, I will see them.

Now when the president is having visitors like that, I do a brief summary of that person, like a short profile, which I did, a profile of Pastor Kumuyi and I took it to the president. Then I gave him and he said, is he not the mathematician, I said, “Yes Sir.” He said, I know him very well. I was indeed very proud.

And when he came, it was such a good meeting. He spoke and when he said shall we pray, the president bowed his head. It was such a glorious moment.