Church Growth in Nigeria: PT1

Focus on Church Growth in Nigeria:

ADEBOYE'S REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD AND OYEDEPO'S LIVING FAITH CHURCH; ONE OF THE GREATEST TESTIMONIES OF INTER-CHURCH HARMONY IN GLOBAL MEGA-CHURCH HISTORY.

By Leke Beecroft

"And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devil's in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: FOR HE THAT IS NOT AGAINST US IS FOR US".

As the Church continues into the latter of the last days, it seems that strife, rivalry and competition are more pronounced than ever. From the days of Christ aptly described by the above scripture to the schism between Apostles Paul and Barnabas over John Mark in Acts chapters 12 and 15, the Church began to experience strife in various dimensions as it grew globally.

The Catholic Church came as a result of fusion of religion and political power and catholicism soon ruled the world. From thence came forth the Church of England (Anglican) and Lutheran Churches. Soon the Methodist Church resulted as a reaction to the Anglican doctrines. The Baptists also emerged due to dissatisfaction with the Church of England. These events and many others leading to the growth of orthodox christianity globally over about 1,900 years can be considered as the First Wave of Church Growth and spread.

In the early 20th century, the Azusa Revival by Seymour and Charles Parnham's (who also left the Methodist Church) pentecostal revival happened at about the same time leading to the evolution of pentecostalism. The Second wave led to the birth of the Apostolic Faith Mission, Assemblies of God, Church of God in Christ (the oldest black church), The Apostolic Church and Foursquare Church among many others. These churches spread to Africa in the first part of the 20th century.

The 3rd wave period varied around the world; in Africa and specifically Nigeria, it's most populous nation, it began with the advent of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) who broke off from TAC in 1940, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in 1952, a departure from the pervasive white garment churches at the time and the Church of God Mission in 1968 led by Idahosa (formerly of the Assemblies of God). Soon, Nigerian universities produced indigenous university graduates who led the. 4th wave led by Kumuyi's 'Deeper Life', Tunde Joda's 'Christ Chapel',Mike Okonkwo's 'The Redeemed Evangelical Mission' (TREM) Oyedepo's 'Living Faith', Wale Oke's 'Sword of the Spirit', Olubi Johnson's 'Scripture Pasture', Omobude's 'New Covenant', Oritsejafor's 'Word of Life', Olukoya's 'Mountain of Fire' (MFM) 'and Oyakhilome's 'Christ Embassy' to mention but a few. The 5th (Joshua Generation) and 6th (Generation Next) waves are subjects which will be discussed in two of my upcoming books.

 To be continued......