Meet the Founder: Bishop Dr. William Kiplagat Tuimising
Founder, Finishing Well Foundation | Bishop Emeritus, Deliverance Church International
Some lives are measured by years. Others are measured by the lives they have influenced, the communities they have helped build, and the generations they have inspired.
Bishop Dr. William Kiplagat Tuimising, EBS, is a Kenyan Christian leader whose ministry has spanned more than six decades. His journey has been characterised by a commitment to the Gospel, servant leadership, church development, community transformation and the belief that life should be lived with purpose and finished well.
A life dedicated to ministry
Born in 1946, Bishop Tuimising entered ministry during a formative period in the development of Pentecostal Christianity in Kenya. Over the decades, he became one of the significant leaders in the growth of Deliverance Church International.
He served as General Overseer of Deliverance Church International until 2000, during a period when the church experienced substantial growth. His leadership contributed to the establishment and expansion of congregations across Kenya and beyond.
His influence has extended beyond the pulpit. Through the years, Bishop Tuimising has been associated with church planting, leadership development, mentorship and initiatives aimed at addressing the practical needs of communities.
A vision for transformation
For Bishop Tuimising, ministry has never been limited to preaching.
His approach to Christian leadership has consistently connected faith with service. His record includes involvement in initiatives supporting vulnerable people and communities, including efforts to improve living conditions for people facing severe hardship. One documented example is the construction of a permanent home for a widow in Narok, demonstrating his conviction that compassion should result in practical action.
His influence has also extended into different parts of the country. In Kisumu, for example, he officially launched Deliverance Church International Living Streams Centre in 1996, establishing a ministry whose foundations continue to influence families and communities today.
A teacher and author
Bishop Tuimising's contribution to Christian ministry also extends to writing and teaching.
He authored Through the Eyes of Christ, published in 2015, reflecting his commitment to communicating Christian faith and leadership through both ministry and literature.
His teaching ministry has continued throughout his years of service. The Finishing Well Foundation describes him as a teacher of the Word whose motivation is to see people live purposeful lives and ultimately complete their earthly journey faithfully.
Leadership beyond the church
Bishop Tuimising's public ministry has also placed him in moments where faith and national leadership intersect.
During Kenya's 2007–2008 post-election crisis, he was among clergy involved in efforts to encourage reconciliation and peace. Years later, he continued to speak publicly about the responsibility of the Church to pray for the nation and its leaders.
In 2024, he was also invited to deliver a message to staff and leaders in Bomet County, speaking on the importance of serving with the fear of God, accountability and diligence.
These engagements reflect a broader understanding of leadership: that spiritual influence carries a responsibility to contribute positively to society.
The Walk for Fitness and Missionary Work
Perhaps one of the most striking demonstrations of Bishop Tuimising's philosophy came in December 2025.
At the age of 80, he led the 480-kilometre Walk for Fitness and Missionary Work from Nairobi to Mombasa.
The journey covered more than 20 towns and was undertaken to raise awareness and support for communities facing serious challenges, particularly water scarcity and educational needs. One of the initiatives targeted support for Sasura Girls School, including efforts toward sustainable water access and improved learning facilities.
The walk brought together faith, physical fitness, community service and humanitarian action.
It also captured something fundamental about Bishop Tuimising's philosophy: that age does not have to become a barrier to purpose.
As the initiative demonstrated, leadership can leave the comfort of the office, take to the road and place itself alongside the people it seeks to serve.
The vision behind Finishing Well Foundation
The same philosophy lies at the heart of the Finishing Well Foundation.
The foundation exists around a simple but profound message:
Start Well. Live Well. Finish Well.
The message speaks to every stage of life.
Starting well means building strong foundations.
Living well means using one's gifts, opportunities and resources to serve God and humanity.
Finishing well means leaving behind a legacy that continues to benefit others.
For Bishop Tuimising, finishing well is not merely about reaching the end of a journey. It is about reaching that point knowing that the journey mattered, that people were helped, that lives were influenced and that the next generation has something meaningful to carry forward.
A legacy still being built
After more than six decades of ministry, Bishop Dr. William Kiplagat Tuimising continues to demonstrate that leadership is ultimately about service.
His legacy can be seen in churches planted, leaders mentored, communities touched, people helped and generations challenged to live purposeful lives.
But perhaps the greatest part of his legacy is the invitation he continues to extend to others:
Do not simply live a long life. Live a meaningful one.
At Finishing Well Foundation, that invitation has become a mission.
We believe that every person, regardless of where they begin, can Start Well, Live Well and Finish Well.
And we believe that the best legacy is one that makes it possible for others to finish their own race well.
“Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us.” — Hebrews 12:1