Protestant missionary work began in Nigeria with the arrival in September l842, of a Wesleyan Methodist Church missionary. He had come in response to the request for missionaries by the ex-slaves who returned to Nigeria from Sierra Leone.
The study of missions over the centuries is a mammoth task. It is impossible for us to fully understand and grasp what it was like for the early missionaries when they entered Nigeria. When we are made aware of the great darkness and the evil forces which were at Work in those days, can we appreciate how the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit can destroy these powerful forces of the devil and rejoice in the fact that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation,” the old has gone, the new has come.”
One cannot help but be amazed at the way many faced martyrdom and sacrifice for the cause of Christ and the advancement of God’s kingdom in that land. In spite of many dangers and much opposition they ventured into the unknown with hearts burning to do the will of God with their lives.
Even though this study is limited to the country of Nigeria, if half the story were told it could fill many libraries. By depending significantly upon the archival and written records of the various Missionary Societies and their missionaries, there are many limitations and many gaps in our knowledge, as we are looking at the situation and the interpretation of events as through the missionaries’ eyes.
Nigerians could have given another, or a different, account of how their lives, their community and their country were affected, when the claims of Christ, as presented by the ‘white man,’ came to them.
ENDORSEMENTS
‘Bring Christianity to Nigeria, The Origin and Work of Protestant Missions in Nigeria’ by Ian Fleck is a comprehensive survey of Christian Missions by seven protestant groups in Nigeria. I enthusiastically recommend this book as a required reading for all teachers and students of church history, missionaries, pastors and those who desire to know how Christianity began and impacted the most populated Black Country on earth, Nigeria.
Rev. Professor Samuel Waje Kunhiyop,current ECWA General Secretary and author ofAfrican Christian Ethics & Africa Christian Theology.
This book fills a gap in the history of Christianity in Nigeria. We do not know of any book that captures the story of Protestant missions in both southern and northern Nigeria. No doubt, teachers and students of mission and church history as well as the general public, will find this book a very useful guide to the study of Christian missions in Nigeria.
Rev. Dr. Jordan Samson Rengshwat, Lecturer in Church History, Theological College of Northern Nigeria, Bukuru, Jos.
This is a well written piece of Nigerian Church History. It is quite interesting, concise and indeed a compendium of the activities of the western missionaries in Nigeria. It is no doubt going to be a handbook for students of church history.
Rev. Dr. Rueben Maiture, Lecturer in Church History, Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
In Fleck brings an easy reading style and vibrancy, generating fresh interest, as he uses his critical analysis of mission and vast experience to tell an exciting story, to inform and to educate us with universal principles of God’s mission in this particular context. I warmly commend this interesting book.
Rev. Professor Rab Mollan, CMS Ireland and Belfast Bible College.
With Nigerians now bringing the gospel to the West we celebrate that seeds sown by British and Irish missionaries in the pioneer evangelisation of Nigeria have flourished wonderfully, and this excellent book helps to document this history.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Skuce, Academic Dean, Cliff College. Methodist Church, Nigeria.
Lessons abound in Ian Fleck’s compelling account of how the gospel spread in Nigeria. It is peppered with lines that will illustrate the past, such as the dying words of a Mrs David telling her husband, “Never give up Africa”! Baptists will benefit from this record that reveals both mistakes of the past and lessons in cooperating with others to advance Christ’s kingdom.
Mr Gordon Darragh, Director of Baptist Missions, Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading, ‘Bringing Christianity to Nigeria’, especially the chapters SIM and SUM. The missionary stories give us the backgrounds, challenges and victories as they trusted the Lord at all times. I believe this book will truly motivate Christians to give their best to God.
Prof. Musa Gaiya, Professor of Church History, University of Jos, Nigeria
It is with pleasure I commend warmly this excellent book which commemorates 125 years of outstanding work by Mission Africa (Qua Iboe Mission). Ian Fleck has meticulously traced the birth, growth and spiritual success of the Mission, indicating that had it not undoubtedly been blessed by God from its inception, it would never have become the mighty force for the gospel it has proved to be; and we in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland are proud of our contribution to it from the very start to the present day.
The Very Rev. Dr. Andrew R. Rodgers, Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
In its scope, this book is remarkable. I am unaware that a project such as this, surveying the beginnings of missions in Nigeria, has ever been undertaken before. I believe that all who are interested in the missiology of Nigeria will be truly grateful that such a survey has been undertaken and undertaken so well. I can foresee that it will become used as a missiological textbook in many Nigerian seminaries.
However, for many readers, I think that the greatest value of the present work will not lie solely in its breadth of scope, but also in its spiritual warmth. It is impossible to read of the sacrifices made by the early missionaries in the service of Christ and not be deeply moved. The threats posed by, for example, travel, disease and hostile local forces, were immense and claimed countless lives. Yet we see, time and time again, Christ inspiring within his servants a dauntless spirit, that ensured that the Gospel was brought to the lost and perishing, irrespective of the cost. The Christians of modern Nigeria stand in everlasting debt to the many brave souls who were prepared to give up everything for Christ to ensure that Nigeria had the Gospel. The example set by the early missionaries should serve as an inspiration to modern churches and missions in Nigeria.
I was also repeatedly struck, as I read this book, of what was accomplished under tremendously adverse conditions by so very few missionaries. Time and time again, as you will read in these pages, the missionaries cried out for more support and more missionaries to carry on the work and take up every opportunity to present the gospel. But, very often, the much needed reinforcements did not materialise; yet, in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel still triumphed in Nigeria. This is a reminder to us today, when we still cry out for more material and more missionaries, that God in His sovereignty uses the weak and foolish things of the world to accomplish His purposes. Even though many of the well resourced Christians of today’s world seem indifferent to the needs of Mission, we can look to the historical testimony contained in these pages and be assured that God’s plans cannot be thwarted. As Ian Fleck has shown in this book, those who serve in mission serve a mighty God!
Revd. Dr. Paul Bailie, Chief Executive of Mission Africa