The story of Deeper Life Bible Church is one of remarkable growth, discipline, and commitment to the message of holiness. It began in 1973 when a young university lecturer, Dr. William Folorunso Kumuyi, then teaching mathematics at the University of Lagos, started a small Bible study group with just fifteen members. These students and young professionals were hungry for a deeper understanding of the Word of God and a practical walk with Christ, beyond the surface-level Christianity common at the time.
The fellowship quickly grew because of Kumuyi’s clear, Bible-based teaching and his emphasis on holy living. By 1975, the group had expanded significantly, drawing people from different parts of Lagos and beyond. That year, the Deeper Christian Life Ministry was formally established. However, it was not yet a church in the conventional sense; it was more of a teaching and revival movement that complemented existing denominations.
In 1982, following increasing persecution of members within their original churches and the sheer size of the fellowship, the Deeper Life Bible Church was born as a full-fledged church. Under Pastor Kumuyi’s leadership, the church experienced rapid growth, with thousands of members attending weekly services. His uncompromising stand on personal holiness, prayer, evangelism, and sound doctrine set Deeper Life apart from many other Pentecostal and evangelical churches emerging in Nigeria at the time.
By the late 1980s and 1990s, Deeper Life had become one of the largest single congregations in Africa, with its Lagos headquarters drawing tens of thousands of worshippers every Sunday. The church extended its reach globally, establishing branches across Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia. Evangelistic crusades, retreats, and Bible teaching seminars became hallmarks of its ministry, attracting massive crowds.
One of the crowning achievements of the church’s history came in April 2018, when Deeper Life commissioned its new ultra-modern headquarters at Gbagada, Lagos, a 30,000-seat auditorium often referred to as one of the largest church buildings in the world. This monumental facility symbolised the church’s journey from a small university Bible study group to a worldwide movement with millions of adherents.
Today, Deeper Life Bible Church is recognised not only for its size but also for its strict emphasis on holiness, doctrinal purity, evangelism, and personal revival. Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, now revered as one of Africa’s foremost evangelical leaders, continues to preach globally, using both physical gatherings and digital platforms to spread the message of transformation through Christ.
From its modest beginnings in a small room at the University of Lagos, Deeper Life Bible Church has become a global spiritual force, inspiring believers to pursue righteousness, godliness, and uncompromising faith in God.
