World Book of Records Honours Nigeria's Kumuyi

 

A mathematics lecturer started a Bible study with just 15 students in his university apartment and decades later the world handed him a global record. That is one way to prove that small beginnings sometimes refuse to remain small no matter how much people underestimate them.

Nigeria's Dr William Folorunsho Kumuyi, the 85 year old General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, has officially been recognised by the World Book of Records, London for his contributions to Christian leadership, education, global evangelism and humanitarian outreach. The recognition was presented during an award ceremony in India after what organisers described as a detailed assessment of his life's work.

Indian pastor Sudarshan Babu explained that the organisation examined Kumuyi's achievements in educational advancement, international social empowerment programmes, visionary leadership, humanitarian service, community development and global outreach before reaching its decision. He described the Nigerian cleric as a father to millions whose influence extends beyond the church into education and society. The Joint Secretary of the World Book of Records, Dr Ullaji Eliyazar, formally presented the certificate and announced that Kumuyi had officially entered the World Book of Records.

Accepting the recognition, Kumuyi gave the credit to God instead of himself and said he received the honour on behalf of himself and his wife for the glory of God. He reflected on his conversion on April 5, 1964 after hearing the gospel, explaining that although he had been religious before then, he only truly came to know Christ on that day despite previously being exposed to atheistic teachings through his education.

He also recalled beginning a Bible study in 1973 while teaching mathematics, attracting only 15 students before that fellowship gradually grew into what is now the Deeper Christian Life Ministry and Deeper Life Bible Church. According to him, he eventually realised that the true strength of a church is not measured by how many people can sit inside the building but by how many people it can send out to serve others.

Today, the ministry has missionaries in more than 50 African countries as well as parts of Europe and the Americas, while its crusades and humanitarian activities continue to reach communities across the world. Kumuyi also expressed hope that the recognition would open even greater opportunities for evangelism across Asia, stressing the importance of cooperation among Christian leaders to reach more people.

In a world where people spend years chasing records for the loudest noise or the biggest burger, another man quietly spent over five decades building people instead and somehow that also made the record book. It seems consistency still knows how to make headlines even when it does not shout.