· Explains how Christ foretold outbreak globally
· Assures Nigerians of divine answer to pandemic
Gboyega Akinsanmi
The General Superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM), Pastor William Kumuyi Tuesday said COVID-19 was not politically motivated, noting that the pandemic is real.
Kumuyi noted that COVID-19, which had as of Monday claimed 5.36 million lives and infected 275 million worldwide according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), was not surprising, saying Christ foretold global outbreak of pestilence in the bible towards end time.
He made these remarks at a news conference he addressed at the Deeper Life International Conference Centre, Km 42, Lagos-Ibadan expressway to mark the flag-off of the church’s six-day global crusade under a theme, “The Great Miracle Explosion.”
He addressed the conference alongside his wife, Mrs Esther Kumuyi; Lagos Coordinator, Deeper Life Bible Church (DLBC), Pastor John Akinwande; Secretary of the church, Pastor Samuel Afuwape; Group Pastor, Oshodi DLBC, Pastor Segun Babatope and Group Pastor, Idimu-Isheri DLBC, Pastor Johnson Ajibade, among others.
Addressing the news conference, Kumuyi explained that from his observation, COVID-19, a pestilence foretold in the Bible, was real contrary to speculation in some quarters, including some religious organisations.
He said: “From my observation, COVID is real. It is not a politically arranged pandemic as speculated by some people. In Nigeria and other countries worldwide, we have people that are infected and are in isolation.”
The general superintendent cited different cases of his church members, who were infected with the virus and how the power of God delivered after prayers of faith while on the verge of death.
He explained how one of the church’s pastors was infected with COVID-19, noting that the pastor was transferred to an isolation centre in Lagos and indeed on the verge of passing out when he received the news.
He said: “I got to know about it. I prayed for him on the phone with him. Within one hour, the pastor was healed. In the United States, we had a family of six, who were equally infected. But after prayer of faith, God healed them all.”
The general superintendent added that in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the church’s pastors had COVID-19 and was delivered also after prayer of faith.
Even though COVID-19 is real, according to Kumuyi, God has a solution to every problem. God has promised never to leave or forsake His children in the time of trial.
He explained that COVID-19 “is not a surprising thing to those who knew their Bible very well, as the Lord Jesus had foretold that there would be pestilence (pandemic) in the last days.”
Speaking about the crusade, Kumuyi said it was aimed at addressing national and personal problems, as the Lord would free those with COVID-19 and other human challenges.
The general superintendent noted that people should expect God’s mighty visitation and special things at the crusade.
“We thank God we are here for something great and special. We have been having this Global Crusade and it has touched all globally. Many people have been blessed across the globe. We have been to Abuja, Enugu, Rivers and Akwa Ibom. There has been joy everywhere.
“We are now in Lagos. It is a great miracle explosion. When we put all that has been happening this year together, we are going to have great explosions. People will be blessed. People will say this is a great thing that has happened in their lives,” he said.
He explained how the crusade would impact the nation, noting that when the lives of individuals were touched, that would definitely impact on the nation.
He cited the example of Jonah in the Bible who declared God’s message to the people of Nineveh and how the people in authority heard the message and took a national decision that saved the land.
The general superintendent noted that when the nation’s decision makers allowed the message to get to them and act on it, he believed that things would turn around.
He added that the crusade would be streamed live across the world through various social media platforms – FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and other social media handles that are not popular in Africa.
