Insular practices that led to pastor quitting church

Daily Post (UK)/December 30, 2005
By Jessica Shaughnessy

The former pastor of the Liverpool branch of a church being investigated for child trafficking left because he disagreed with its practices, the Daily Post can reveal.

Pastor Daniel Kavuma left Gilbert Deya Ministries, in Kensington, after he became frustrated with its "insular" practices.

When self-styled Archbishop Gilbert Deya and his wife Mary were accused of stealing children and passing them off as "miracle babies", he decided enough was enough.

After four years at the church he left and is now based at the Life Changers Church, on Smithdown Road.

Last night, Pastor Daniel would only tell the Daily Post he left six months ago for "personal reasons", but a source close to the preacher said he had become disillusioned with the church.

The source said: "There were no miracle babies in Liverpool, Pastor Daniel just did not buy into it. There was a woman in London who had supposedly been pregnant for more than two years, and you don't have to be a doctor to know that is wrong."

Pastor Daniel joined Gilbert Deya Ministries five years ago and was given the run-down church in Kensington, Liverpool, to lead.

The source added: "The building was a shell. It was not habitable and he was expected to live in it. Head Office would not give him any money.

"He built a small office, toilet and room for services himself with the help of his congregation, and local organisations.

"Even when they saw what he had done, head office would still not help him rebuild. He started to become very disheartened."

Pastor Daniel got married soon after he came to Liverpool, and he became more and more frustrated with the conditions he was expected to live in and moved to his own home.

By now his congregation was increasing because of his engaging personality, but Archbishop Gilbert Deya did not like his methods.

The source said: "He was discouraged from getting involved in the community. Head Office did not want him to be involved with other organisations. They wanted everything to stay within the church. Pastor Daniel didn't like the idea that people had to come to him all the time."

The Daily Post also understands Pastor Daniel disagreed with some of the church's interpretation of doctrine.

The source said: "He felt that sometimes the church was being misleading. He could not reconcile himself to the idea that people would be cursed if they did not give money. "He says church should be a loving place. When he left, he told his congregation it was up to them if they stayed or went with him.

"Most of them followed him to his new church. Too much had happened and the name of the church had been brought into disrepute."

Gilbert Deya Ministries is still being investigated by the Metropolitan Police in London for alleged child trafficking and Gilbert Deya's wife, Mary, is currently facing trial in Kenya accused of stealing a baby in Nairobi.

Last year, a High Court judge ruled a couple who were members of the church were not the natural parents of their "miracle baby."

The church, which is a registered charity, is also being investigated by the Charity Commission and their accounts are still frozen.

The Liverpool branch's new preacher, Pastor Gabriel, has recruited 80 worshippers since he came to the city to replace Pastor Daniel five months ago.