Deeper Christian Life Ministry
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| Deeper Christian Life Ministry | |
|---|---|
| Deeper Life Bible Church | |
 | |
| Location | Lagos |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Denomination | Non-denominational |
| Website | www.dclm.org |
| History | |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder(s) | William F. Kumuyi |
| Clergy | |
| Senior pastor(s) | William F. Kumuyi |
Deeper Christian Life Ministry (also known as Deeper Life Bible Church)[1] is a non-denominational Christian Church[2] with its international headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria. It is overseen by the General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi.[1][3][4]
Faith healing
DLBC's website maintains a set of "testimonials" from people who claim supernatural healings have occurred as a result of prayers being offered by Pastor Kumuyi. These claims include the reversal of paralysis, spontaneous growth of limbs, spontaneous disappearance of mental diseases, and such.
The church is firm on the teaching of holiness and living a practical Christian life. The most important teaching of the church pertains to its members living holy lives. The General Superintendent, Pastor Kumuyi almost always during all his preachings exhort members and newcomers alike to be born again so as to be qualified for the kingdom of heaven.
The Deeper Life Bible Church is well known in Nigeria and other countries, being known internationally for its strict adherence to the teachings of Christ, his apostles, and obedience to the word of God.
History
In 1973, while serving as a Mathematics Lecturer at the University of Lagos, W.F. Kumuyi started a Bible study group with 15 university students who had come to him requesting training in the Scriptures. By the early 1980s that small group had grown to several thousand, at which time Deeper Life Bible Church was formally established.[citation needed]
By 1988 the congregation had grown to 50,000, and now numbers 120,000 members, making it the third largest Christian church in the world.[clarification needed][citation needed] Dr. Johan Combrinck reports that the Deeper Life Church not only has an attendance of 120,000 every Sunday, but has planted over 500 churches in Lagos, 5,000 in the rest of Nigeria (with an independent estimate of more than 800,000 members in Nigeria alone), and 3,000 elsewhere (with missionaries to 40 countries of Africa) as the movement missionary contribution.[citation needed]
Dr. C. Peter Wagner, in an article titled 'Those Amazing Post-Denominational Churches' wrote: "By far, the most rapidly growing segment of Christianity on all six continents is a type of church that does not fit traditional categories or classifications. Missiologists have recognized its presence for some time, but it is such a recent phenomenon that they have not yet agreed on a name for it. Perhaps one title that would fit is the term 'post-denominational."
"Go to almost any metropolitan area and ask to visit the largest Christian Church. Chances are it will be one of these new post-denominational churches'. In Lagos, Nigeria, it would be the Deeper Life Bible Church, pastored by William Kumuyi. On a recent Sunday I saw 74,000 adults worshipping together, with 40,000 children meeting in a separate building across the street."[citation needed]
On August 7, 2012, a Deeper Life church in Okene was attacked by three unidentified gunmen, who opened fire on a Bible study group with Kalashnikov assault rifles, killing 19.[5]
References
- ^ a b Okoro, Luke (24 October 2009). "Timely Intervention". AllAfrica.com. AllAfrica Global Media. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ "Official Website of William Kumuyi". Retrieved 2009-10-23.
- ^ Eyoboka, Sam (10 October 2009). "Refreshing Times at Deeper Life as Kumuyi Launches Satellite TV, Relaxes Stringent Marriage Conditions". AllAfrica.com. AllAfrica Global Media. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ Souter, Janet (25 January 2003). "Deeper Life Bible Church to start offering suburban services Living faith". Daily Herald. Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA. p. 2. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ "Nigeria Kogi state curfew after church attack". BBC News. August 08, 2012. Retrieved August 08, 2012.
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- Korieh, Chima Jacob (2005). Religion, history, and politics in Nigeria: essays in honor of Ogbu U. Kalu. University Press of America. p. 242. ISBN 0-7618-3139-8.
- Melton, J. Gordon (2005). Encyclopedia of Protestantism. Sonlight Christian -M. p. 181. ISBN 0-8160-5456-8.
- Anderson, Allan (2001). African reformation: African initiated Christianity in the 20th century. Africa Research & Publications. pp. 172–173. ISBN 0-86543-884-6.
- Neumann, Mikel (1999). Home Groups for Urban Cultures: Biblical Small Group Ministry on Five Continents. William Carey Library. p. 9. ISBN 0-87808-281-6.