85-Year-Old Pastor Kumuyi Still Uses 5G in His High-Tech Midnight Oil Ministry

By Daniel Afolayan

On June 6, 2026, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi turns 85. If your image of an octogenarian involves rocking chairs, early bedtimes, and confusion over smartphones, you have not met the convener of the Global Crusade with Kumuyi (GCK).

As a member of his digital strategy team, I observe his daily routine up close. The man operates at a pace that would make Gen Z envious. We do not worship him, and we do not idolize him; he would be the first to shut that down. Yet his life exemplifies the grace and energy that God has poured into him.

Below is a glimpse of what it is like to work closely with this tech‑savvy octogenarian.

If you think late‑night TikTok scrolling is intense, try keeping up with Pastor Kumuyi’s study habits. It is common to call him at 1:00 AM or 2:00 AM to coordinate a project and find him wide awake.

When he answers, his voice is sharp, and a distinct background noise is always audible. It is never television or idle chatter; it is the sound of a lecture, a leadership resource, or a Christian podcast he is listening to while studying. His discipline is unmatched. While the world sleeps, he crafts messages, reads new material, and prepares his mind.

His commitment to the Great Commission is unrivaled. Earlier this year he completed a grueling two‑week crusade that spanned Port Harcourt, Bori, and Ahoada. Our team traveled from the West to meet him in his makeshift backstage office. Exhausted by his itinerary, we suggested canceling an upcoming crusade in Thailand because we feared the physical strain and the geopolitical tensions—US‑Iran conflict and risky flights over Qatar—would be too much. Airlines were shutting down operations.

We had not finished our concerns when he interrupted. He told us to sort out the travel logistics for Thailand quickly. Thailand has a Christian population of less than one percent, meaning millions have never heard the gospel. For Pastor Kumuyi, the math was simple: the risk did not matter, the war zones did not matter, and his own fatigue did not matter. “Anywhere with Jesus,” he said, and that ended the discussion.

For our digital team, a minor delay in posting content might seem like a small hiccup. For Pastor Kumuyi, it is a matter of life and death. Once we missed a scheduled 6:00 AM content drop and published at 7:00 AM instead, he did not lecture us about algorithms or branding. Instead, he spoke about souls, reminding us that people are lost every minute and a one‑hour delay could mean preventing someone from hearing about Christ before they meet the Chief Judge. Every strategy we deploy is about the soul.

He does not care about applause or fame. When we first built the GCK brand, I asked him what his ultimate vision was for the global campaign. His answer was short, distinct, and clear: “To reach every creature on earth with the gospel.”

One might expect a minister of his vintage to rely solely on decades of experience. Conversations with Pastor Kumuyi are never superficial. He stays ahead of trends by reading deeply and refusing to stop learning. I will never forget the day he asked me about SEO (Search Engine Optimization). He wanted to know how we could leverage search algorithms to enhance the visibility, virality, and reach of the gospel online. He wants to dig deeper into everything, ensuring the ancient gospel is packaged with the sharpest modern tools.

Despite the weight of a global ministry, his personal warmth is extraordinary. When I was courting my wife, he would check in on me, encouraging me to call her regularly even when we were busy on the mission field. When my late father was gravely ill, Pastor Kumuyi told me to put the phone to my father’s ear so he could personally pray for him. Most recently, when my baby girl was born, he and Mummy Kumuyi called together, pouring heartfelt prayers for both the mother and our new little princess.

In Psalm 90, Moses concluded his prayer with a profound plea that carries the weight of a timeless prophecy, asking that the Lord establish the work of our hands. As this true servant of God and apostle prepares for his next season of life and global ministry, let us raise our voices in unison and earnest desire. Our prayer is that the Lord will continuously confirm and establish the work of his hands, ensuring that every digital strategy, every frontier crusade, and every soul won stands as an enduring monument to the glory of our great God and Savior. We pray for supernatural vitality that defies human age, an even greater digital multiplication of his messages across the globe, and the joy of seeing a new generation of youth catch his relentless fire for the lost. Our greatest desire is to see the vision of GCK fully realized, with his best, healthiest, and most impactful days still ahead of him.

At 85, Pastor Kumuyi remains a leader, a model, and a true spiritual father. We do not celebrate him to build a monument around a man. We celebrate him because we see the reflection of Jesus in his tireless stride, his deep wisdom, and his urgent love for people.

Happy 85th Birthday, Daddy! Thank you for showing us how to run the race without ever hitting the brakes.

*Daniel is a Digital Strategist for Pastor Kumuyi and the GCK

Daniel.afolayan@gckhq.org