Churches

History Of Christianity in Nigeria

Christianity came to Nigeria in the 15th century through Augustinian and Capuchin monks from Portugal. The first mission of the Church of England was, though, only established in 1842 in Badagry by Henry Townsend. In 1864 Samuel Ajayi Crowther, an ethnic Yoruba and former slave, was elected Bishop of the Niger and the first black Bishop of the Anglican Communion. Lagos became a diocese of its own in 1919.
Leslie Gordon Vining became Bishop of Lagos in 1940 and in 1951 the first archbishop of the newly inaugurated Province of West Africa. Vining was the last Bishop of Lagos of European descent.
On 24 February 1979, the sixteen dioceses of Nigeria were joined in the Church of Nigeria, a newly founded province of the Anglican Communion, with Timothy O. Olufosoye, then Bishop of Ibadan, becoming its first archbishop, primate and metropolitan. Between 1980 and 1988, eight additional dioceses were created. In 1986, he was succeeded by J. Abiodun Adetiloye who became the second primate and metropolitan of Nigeria, a position he would hold until 1999.
In 1989 the Diocese of Abuja was created on the area of the new capital of Nigeria with Peter Akinola as first bishop.



1910s-1920s: Around 1910, an Anglican deacon launches an indigenous prophetic movement that later becomes the Christ Army Church. Following an influenza epidemic in 1918, revivals flare within the mission churches and the Christ Army Church. Spirit-filled groups also expand, including those known by the Yoruba word Aladura ("praying people"). Early Aladura churches include the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Society, founded in 1925, and the Church of the Lord (Aladura), founded in 1930. Around 1918, an Anglican forms a prayer group known as the Precious Stone (Diamond) Society to heal influenza victims. The group leaves the Anglican Church in the early 1920s and affiliates with Faith Tabernacle, a church based in Philadelphia (Anderson 2001: 80-82; Gaiya 2002: 5).

1930s-1940s: During the 1930s, Joseph Babalola of Faith Tabernacle leads a revival that converts thousands. In 1932, his movement initiates ties with the pentecostal Apostolic Church of Great Britain after coming into conflict with colonial authorities, but the association dissolves over the use of modern medicine. In 1941, Babalola founds the independent Christ Apostolic Church, which is estimated to have over a million members by 1990 (Anderson 2001: 86-87). Foreign pentecostal denominations such as the Welsh Apostolic Church (1931), the Assemblies of God (1939) and the Foursquare Gospel Church (1954) are also introduced during this period.

1950s: In the 1950s the Celestial Church of Christ arrives in western Nigeria from Benin. The church rapidly expands into northern Nigeria and becomes one of Africa's largest Aladura churches. In 1952, a former member of the Cherubim and Seraphim society, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, founds the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Under Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the church becomes increasingly pentecostal in theology and practice and grows from an estimated 42 congregations in 1980 to around 7,000 in 2004, with followers in more than 90 countries, including the U.S. (Anderson 2001: 85: Murphy, March 25, 2006; Mahtani, April 26, 2005; Ojo 2004: 4).

1960s-1970s: Originating in evangelical student revivals, a wave of pentecostal expansion spawns new churches in the 1960s and 1970s. A leader of this expansion is Benson Idahosa, one of Africa's most influential pentecostal preachers. Idahosa establishes the Church of God Mission International in 1972. In 1974, the pentecostal umbrella organization Grace of God ministry is founded in eastern Nigeria. The Deeper Life Bible Church is founded in 1975, and soon becomes one of Nigeria's largest neo-pentecostal churches, with an estimated 350,000 members by 1993 (Ojo 2004: 3; Olupona 2003: 16; Gaiya 2002: 15).

1980s-present: New charismatic churches grow throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In 1986, David Oyedepo founds Living Faith Outreach Worldwide, popularly known as "Winners' Chapel." It opens a "Faith Tabernacle" in the suburbs of Lagos in 1999 that seats 50,000 people (Phillips, Nov. 30, 1999; Ojo 2004: 4).

The Forum's 2006 pentecostal survey suggests that renewalists – including charismatics and pentecostals – account for approximately three-in-ten Nigerians. The survey also finds that roughly six-in-ten Protestants in Nigeria are either pentecostal or charismatic, and three-in-ten Nigerian Catholics surveyed can be classified as charismatic.
Religion and Politics

Pentecostal political activism originates with the founding of the Christian Students' Social Movement of Nigeria in 1977. The emphasis of this early activism is on the spiritual forces that govern politics and on bringing about reform through prayer (Freston 2001: 185-86).

In the 1980s, pentecostals become active in the Christian Association of Nigeria. Founded in 1976, the Association initially includes only Catholic and mainline Protestants, but by 1988 it incorporates churches associated with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, a pentecostal umbrella group, and the Organization of African Instituted Churches (Freston 2001: 184).
The Period of Islamization, 1979-1999

Under a succession of Muslim military dictators, the Association becomes increasingly political and functions almost as "an unofficial opposition to the regime" (Freston 2001:184). In 1979, the government proposes the creation of a Federal Sharia Court of Appeal, and in the 1988-89 Constituent Assembly, efforts are made to extend the jurisdiction of Sharia courts. Evangelicals and pentecostals in the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria organize prayer sessions and pamphleteering campaigns against the Sharia proposal. By 1988, most Association publications challenging the policies of General Ibrahim Babangida's pro-Islamic administration are produced partly by its Youth Wing (Freston 2001: 182-83; Ojo 2004: 6).

In 1986, under General Babangida, Nigeria becomes a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, triggering numerous pentecostal protests. Benson Idahosa, the popular pentecostal preacher, threatens to call for a Christian boycott of newspapers favoring Islamization. In 1987, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, a leading Muslim cleric, stokes further controversy by publicly declaring that Muslims will never allow non-Muslims to assume political leadership in Nigeria. In response, pentecostal leaders ally with other Christians in Kaduna state and launch a campaign to field candidates in the 1988 local government elections (Ojo 2004: 6; Amadi 2004: 3).

In 1993, both government-sanctioned parties field Muslim candidates for the presidency. Christians vote mostly for M. K. O. Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, the southern, Christian-leaning party. When it becomes clear that Abiola will win, the government cancels the result and Christians appeal to the military to relinquish power (Freston 2001: 188).

Pentecostals and other evangelicals compete at various levels in the 1993 elections, with "priests, deacons, prophets, apostles and evangelists emerg[ing] as governors, deputy governors, local government chairmen and councilors." In the 1990s, Benson Idahosa encourages Christians to push for political reform (Freston 2001: 185-88).

List of Nigeria Churches

Abundant Life Gospel Church
Pastor/Overseer: Kola Onaolapo
Website: http://www.taligoc.org

All Nations Evangelical Church
Pastor/Overseer: Isaiah Olatunji Odeleye
Website: http://www.allnationsevangelical.org

Apostolic Faith Church
Pastor/Overseer: (for Africa)Paul Akazue
Email: afm@apostolicfaith-ng.org
Website: http://www.apostolicfaith-ng.org

Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide
Pastor/Overseer: Elijah Howard Lajuwomi (EHL) Olusheye
Website: http://www.cacworldwide.net

Christ Chapel International Churches
Pastor/Overseer: Tunde Joda
Website: http://www.ccicvi.org

Christ Embassy
Pastor/Overseer: Chris Oyakhilome
Website: http://www.christembassy.org

Christian Brethren Church
Pastor/Overseer: Afolabi Oladele
Website: http://www.christianbrethrenchurch.org

Church of God Mission International
Pastor/Overseer: Margaret Idahosa
Website: http://www.cogm.org

Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
Pastor/Overseer: Peter J. Akinola
Website: http://www.anglican-nig.org

Christ Foundation Ministries International
Pastor/Overseer: Isaiah Yomi Adeyemi
Website: www.isaiahchristfoundation.org

Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI) City of Testimonies
Pastor/Overseer: Emmah Isong
Website: http://www.emmahisong.org

Christian Pentecostal Mission International (CPM)
Pastor/Overseer: O Ezekiel
Website: http://www.cpmng.org

City of Life Christian Center
Pastor/Overseer: Mike Ekah
Website: http://www.cityoflifecc.org

Covenant Of Grace Bible Church International Incorporated
Pastor/Overseer: Godspower Emgboukuro Adaka
Website: http://cometoourchurch.com

Daystar Christian Center
Pastor/Overseer: Sam Adeyemi
Website: http://www.daystarng.org

Deeper Life Bible Church
Pastor/Overseer: W. F Kumuyi
Website: http://www.deeperlifeonline.org

Dominion City
Pastor/Overseer: David Ogbueli
Website: http://www.dominioncityonline.org

Doxa Cathedral
Pastor/Overseer: Bassey Ndon
Address 10 Usung Urua Itiam, Dline ,Ewet Housing Estate, O Box 1893,
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Phone: +234 (0) 8028335084
Email: revbasseyndon@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.doxacathedral.org

Father’s House Bible Church
Pastor/Overseer: R. S Leigh
Website: http://www.fathershousebiblechurch.org

Fountain of Life Church
Pastor/Overseer: Taiwo Odukoya
Website: http://www.tfolc.org

Foursquare Gospel Church
Pastor/Overseer: Wilson Badejo
Website: http://www.foursquarenigeria.org

Glorious King Christian Centre
Pastor/Overseer: Akin-Gabriel Adedayo
Website: http://www.gloriousking.org

Glory Christian Ministries
Pastor/Overseer: I. S. James
Website: http://www.gloryland.info

God’s Kingdom Centre International Incorporated
Pastor/Overseer: John Kome
Website: http://www.godskingdomministry.org

God’s Kingdom Society (The Church of the Living God)
Pastor/Overseer: Osheghale Emmanuel Aighalua
Website: http://www.gksmountain.org

Gospel Light International Ministries (New Covenant Gospel Church)
Pastor/Overseer: Felix Omobude
Website: http://www.glimcovenant.org

Grace Family International Churches
Pastor/Overseer: Yinka Ojo
Website: http://www.gfconline.org

His Purpose Church
Pastor/Overseer: Tony Olukoyede
Website: http://www.hispurposechurch.org

Household of God Church
Pastor/Overseer: Chris Okotie
Website: http://www.householdofgodchurch.com

House on the Rock
Pastor/Overseer: Paul Adefarasin
Website: http://www.hotrng.org

International House of His Presence
Pastor/Overseer: Pastor Tunji Akinola
Website: http://www.houseofhispresence.org

Kingdom of Light Ministries
Pastor/Overseer: Samson Makinwa
Website: http://www.klmngr.com

KingsWord Ministries International
Pastor/Overseer: Kayode Ijisesan
Website: http://www.kingsword.org

Latter Rain Assembly
Pastor/Overseer: Tunde Bakare
Website: http://www.latterrainassembly.org

Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries
Pastor/Overseer: Helen Ukpabio
Website: http://www.helenukpabio.org

Livingspring Chapel International
Pastor/Overseer: Femi Emmanuel
Website: http://www.livingspring-chapel.org

Living Word Ministries
Pastor/Overseer: Emma Okorie
Website: http://www.lwmii.org

Living Witness World Outreach Christian
Pastor/Overseer: Hayes Baker
Website: http://www.livingwitnessworld.org

Lighted Church
Pastor/Overseer: Charles Ojei
Website: http://www.thelightedchurch.org

Logos Aflame Ministries
Pastor/Overseer: Grace Oby Agorom – Johnson
Website: http://www.gracejohnsonministries.org

Logos Ministries Incorporated
Pastor/Overseer: Yomi Isijola
Website: http://www.logosiwc.org

Methodist Church Nigeria
Pastor/Overseer: Sunday Mbang
Website: http://www.methodistchurchnigeria.org

Ministry of Life international (City of Life Church)
Pastor/Overseer: John Paul Okwok
Website: http://www.ministryoflifechurch.org

Mountain of Fire And Miracle Ministries
Pastor/Overseer: Daniel Kolawole Olukoya
Website: http://www.mountain-of-fire.com

Powerline Ministries International Incorporated
Pastor/Overseer: Lawrence Osagie
Website: http://www.powerlineministries.org

Radiant Church
Pastor/Overseer: Emma Omon
Website: http://www.emmaomon.org

Redeemed Christian Church Of God
Pastor/Overseer: Enoch Adeboye
Website: http://www.rccg.org

Redeemed Evangelical Mission(TREM)
Pastor/Overseer: Mike Okonkwo
Website: http://www.trem.org

Royal House of Grace International Church
Pastor/Overseer: David Zilly-Aggrey
Website: http://www.royalhouseofgrace.com

Salem International Christian Centre
Pastor/Overseer: Sam Amaga
Website: http://www.saleminternational.net

The Salvation Army
6 Shipeolu St, Onipanu, Shomolu, Lagos
Email: nig_leadership@nig.salvationarmy.org

Sure Word Assembly
Pastor/Overseer: Dennis Inyang
Website: http://www.surewordassembly.org

Sword of the Spirit Ministries International
Pastor/Overseer: Francis Wale Oke
Website: http://www.sotsministries.com

This Present House
Pastor/Overseer: Tony Rapu
Website: http://www.thispresenthouse.org

United Church of God Nigeria
Pastor/Overseer: Oludare Akinbo
Website: http://www.ucgnigeria.org

Victory Christian Church (Faith Revival Ministries World Outreach)
Pastor/Overseer: Nkechi Anayo-Iloputaife
Website: http://www.frmwo.org

Winners Chapel (Faith Tabernacle)
Bishop/Overseer: David Oyedepo
Website: http://www.winnerscanaanland.org

Word of Life Bible Church
Pastor/Overseer: Ayo Oritsejafor
Website: http://www.oritsejafor.netfirms.com

World Evangelism Bible Ministries
Pastor/Overseer: Samson Ayorinde
Website: http://www.world-evangelism.org

Other Churches


· Jesus Of God Mission (Imo State)
· God's Mennonite Church
· Guided Missiles Church
· Jesus In The Now Global Ministry
· Healing Has Begun Ministry
· God's Own Ministry
· The True Assemblies of God Church
· Jehova Sharp Sharp (Festac)
· Huricane Miracle Ministry
· Healing Tsunami Ministry
· Satan in Trouble Ministry
· Fire for Fire Ministry
· Fist Of Fury (NTA Road, Port Harcourt)
· Run For Your Life Ministry
· The Yoke Must Broke Ministry (The "Broke" in this name is NOT a mistake).
· Jesus Heal Ministry
· Face to Face Ministry
· Angels on Fire Chapel of Peace
· Liquid Fire Ministries (Suleja, Niger State)
· By Fire By Fire Ministry
· Holyfire Overflow Ministries
· David Killed Goliath Ministry (Kaduna)
· House of Jehova's Padawans (TransAmadi, PH)
· Jesus In His Mightiness Global Ministry
· OPM - Other People's Money (PH)
· God in Action Ministries
· Moving Mountain Gospel Church
· My Brother Is A Christian Church Of God
· Fellowship of the Wings - Ajah (Langbasa)
· Power Foundation Ministries, Aba. =The pastor's maiden crusade was titled: "Your Money is Looking For You"
· Holy Ghost On Fire Ministry (Abuja)
· High Tension Ministry
· Jesus Never Bleep Up Ministry (Benin)
· Devil Go Hear Am Jesus Ministry
· Accredited Church of God
· Chukwudi & Son Evangelical Ministry, Aba
· Power Pass Power Church Of The Mountain Ministry Incorporated
· Ministry Of The Unclad Wire - Bayelsa State
· Laborator Church of God
· Go And Tell Ahab That Elijah Is Here Ministries - Benin
· God Is Real Ministry. Motto: "Jesus no get muscle but he get power"
· Fire Burn Ministries
· Jesus The Landlord, We The Relaxing Pew Ministry - Portharcourt
· Happy Go Lucky Church of God Almighty In Jesus Name Amen - Abeokuta
· Old Time Religion Ministry
· Strong Hand of God Ministry
· Best Spot In The Land of God Church - Apapa.
· Trigger Happy Ministry. Motto- Always firing the Devil.
· Kasabubu Chruch of God - Ibadan
· Jesus Knows His Children Ministry - Benin
· Seven Thunders of Jesus
· Perfect Christianity Ministry
· Elshaddai Shall Not Die Ministries