NIGERIA OUTREACH ACCOUNT
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
B. GENESIS OF THIS STORY
1. God opened the door for Angela and I to go to Benin City, Nigeria from July 16-24, 2018. During that time, I preached in 5 services, including a youth service and a service dedicated to area ministers.
2. We also went to the Christian Pentecostal Mission’s district camp, to the city zoo, and to a dinner in our honor put on by the local Christian leaders at an international restaurant.
3. It all started when Stephen Akin-Olatunde started attending our church. He started hanging around and we became friends. After about 6 months he approached me and said, “I think the Lord would like you to go preach in Africa.” I replied, “No, I don’t think so” (because I had asked the Lord earlier if I could be a missionary and He said “No.”)
4. A few months later Stephen mentioned it again and I said I didn’t think so. One Sunday Stephen said, “I think Momma Gaston would like to go to Africa.” I laughed inside, knowing that I couldn’t get het to fly ANYWHERE. “Ok,” I said, “let’s go ask her.”
5. ANGELA. He did, and to my astonishment she replied, “Oh! I would LOVE to go to Africa!” I rolled my eyes and said, “God hasn’t sent me to Africa.”
6. About a month later, I was sitting in my office when the room was suddenly illuminated with extra light and I heard the Lord say, “You’re going to Africa!” “Ok, Lord!” I called the pastor there who’d asked if I would come preach, got the dates, and bought our plane tickets.
7. Our host Pastor, Rev. Isaac Itobiye. He gave us an Americanized Nigerian experience.
8. ANGELA. Pastor Itobiye was called by the government and asked how he was going to safeguard us. He deserves the highest praise for his incredible diligence to safeguard us and to care for our every need. He, his wife, and a large entourage met us at the airport with flowers, a videographer, and photographer.
9. They wisked us in 3 SUVs to a fine hotel with high walls, gates and armed guards who routinely check under cars for explosives. The hotel had air conditioning (a rarity) and its own generator to combat the frequent power outages. Our host saw that we had every comfort and we could eat at the restaurant in the hotel whenever we were hungry. He frequently called to see if we needed anything.
I. THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE
A. BOOMING POPULATION
1. Nigeria is in a crucial position both in Africa and the world. It currently has over 190 million people and by 2050 it will be the third largest country in the world, just after India and China.
2. The population is doubling every few years. In 1972, it was 79 million. Today it has tripled to 192 million! Lagos is already the fourth largest city in the world with 20 million people.
3. Another disturbing trend is urbanization – the movement of people from the countryside to the cities. In 1952 10% of the population lived in cities; now 68% live in the cities. This explains the 100,000’s of people living on the streets.
B. POVERTY
1. On arriving, one of the first things you notice is the large number of people – both walking and driving. And every where are hawkers selling every conceivable product, walking between traffic.
2. Stephen explained that the hawkers are people who have chosen not to become involved with crime, but to make an honest living selling phone chargers, chickens, guinea fowls eggs, windshield wipers, shoes, canned milk, you name it.
3. Most of the streets are mud streets; only the main arteries are paved and there are few stop lights (we only saw 4 or 5 in a city of 1.4 million).
4. Driving is a nail-biting experience, because there are little or no rules enforced on the roads. Everyone muscles their way through, blowing their horns and trying to bluff the other drivers into stopping. Our driver was Juliet, a most intimidating driver. She usually out-bluffed everyone else.
5. ANGELA (Juliet). Another difficulty is the bathroom facilities. We’ll not discuss the particulars, but it’s a challenge!
C. THE FOOD OF NIGERIA
1. Pounded yam and soup are said to be staples. Yams are like potatoes. You eat with your hands at almost all meals.
2. Dried fish is a key meat source for all living near the coast. Plantains – small bananas that must be cooked, are found in abundance throughout the country.
3. One of our favorite dishes was fried rice and jollof rice, with chicken if possible.
4. Nigerians also eat a lot of fruits and they have many types of fruit that we’re not familiar with.
II. THE ENVIRONMENT OF BENIN CITY
A. DEMONIC BACKGROUND
1. Pastor Itobiye told me that Benin City, and much of Nigeria, was dominated by idolatry and demon worship. The King of Benin was an idolater. All the people dedicated their children to demons, their homes, and their food too. There were altars to demons at many street intersections, with offerings piled around them.
2. ANGELA – TFA. That’s why we already had 2 outfits before we were invited.
B. THE COMING OF CHRISTIANITY
1. The Portuguese brought Christianity to the Benin Empire in the 15th century. But it took a long time to make inroads against the traditional religions.
2. Then the British colonized the country. The power and technology of England caused many of the Nigerians to convert to Anglican Christianity.
3. Then the Pentecostals came in and a large segment of Christianity caught fire with Pentecost – possibly 20-30% of the population.
4. Pastor Itobiye told me that the back of idolatry was broken through the intercessory prayer of the on-fire Pentecostals. Today Benin City streets are dominated by large billboards – but not for products, but for churches and revival meetings. Most of the inhabitants identify as Christians and they’re much more involved than U.S. Christians.
III. REASONS FOR REVIVAL IN NIGERIA
WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF REVIVAL IN NIGERIA? There are many contributing factors.
A. PENTECOSTAL CHRISTIANITY IS NEW
1. One is the newness and freshness of Christianity. The revival has been happening for the last 40 years or so. Christianity hasn’t gotten to be “old hat.”
2. Many of the first generation of Pentecostal Christians are still alive.
B. FEWER DISTRACTIONS
1. Another factor is the extreme poverty. Thousands have left the jungles and have moved to Benin City and live on the streets, trying to find any kind of work.
2. There are few entertainments. Most people have no TV, they don’t go to movies, nor restaurants, or bowling allies. They’re just trying to scrap food and clothing together.
3. The one place people congregate around is church. It’s the center of their lives, where their friends are, and where they learn the Bible.
C. DEPENDENCE ON GOD
1. The majority of people don’t have access to doctors or medicines. ANGELA. Their only recourse if they’re gravely ill or injured, is to go to the hospital. But no doctor will see them unless they have money. They will just lie in the hallway or waiting room and die, unless they can pay.
2. So they have to depend on God to heal them. I don’t remember seeing any crippled or sick-looking people at CPM (1,000 people). Pastor Itobiye told me that they trust God and He keeps them healthy!
D. JOYFUL WORSHIP, FEAR OF GOD
1. There they celebrate God’s love in music, memorize scripture together, and share their faith and food with each other.
2. The people there don’t associate “revival” with any spiritual manifestations, as U.S. Pentecostals do, but with a changed life, being full of the Holy Spirit, knowing the Bible thoroughly, and being totally involved in the church activities.
3. Their church services are characterized with Joyful worship, Joyful Offerings (in which everyone holds their offering up and marches to the front to place it in a receptacle),
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPfLGRSyplApkWVjAt4sjdqPbKppqvRa03O8-9U
and the Ministry of the Word, with the people responsively shouting back the scriptures to the Pastor.
4. ANGELA. Wed. night I noticed that I was the only female without a head covering. Pastor told me he was going to have the ladies dance on Sunday morning.
5. VIDEO OF DANCE CELEBRATION
6. I was amazed at the extraordinary respect/ honor the people showed their Pastor. They called him Daddy and his wife Mommy. The Pastor is strictly obeyed. He called out everyone who had not attended Sunday School, had them come to the front. He had teachers come and introduce themselves to the prospective students, and told them to be in S.S. the next week. He believes in 100% participation of the church members in S.S., because that’s where they learn the Word.
7. He called out 3 or 4 teachers who had been late to S.S. or hadn’t attended church and publicly announced that their S.S. class was cancelled because they weren’t being effective in their ministry (i.e.- setting a poor example). He then appointed others to take their place – all in front of the whole church. He told me the violators must not fear God to be negligent in their ministry!
E. THEY MEMORIZE THE WORD
When I quoted scriptures during my sermons, the whole congregation quoted it from memory – even obscure scriptures. It’s obvious they had been memorizing since childhood or diligently. They were all strong Christians.
G. A GIVING SPIRIT
During Sunday morning, they had 5 different offerings. A “Thank Offering,” “Tithes,” “Free-will Offerings,” “Paying a Vow to God,” and another I didn’t catch. Each time they trooped to the front and dropped their envelopes into the receptacle.
IV. PASTOR’S 3 PRIORITIES – THE 3 B’s
1. When Pastor Itobye and I were alone, he told me his philosophy or priorities in raising up his flock of believers. Each of the points began with “B.”
2. I believe WE can duplicate the success of the Nigerian church if we also put into practice these three points:
A. BRING THEM TO CHRIST
1. This is accomplished by personal soul-winning. The members are taught how to lead their friends and family to the Lord.
2. The church also has planned outreaches to the lost. The members target a specific area or group to reach and go to where they are to tell them the Good News.
3. The church also has special events at the church where people can invite their friends and family, where they will hopefully become believers.
B. BUILD THEM UP IN CHRIST
1. The Sunday School training is the main way this is accomplished. That’s why the Pastor shoots for 100% attendance. People will never get the Word down in their souls if they just hear a sermon. They must memorize the Word and put it into practice.
2. ANGELA spoke to the Children’s Church, upstairs, a group of about 300 children. They sing and memorize scripture, and pay close attention.
3. There are other areas of discipleship besides S.S. – there are “Fire Prayer Meetings” where they’re instructed on intercessory prayer, then they do it.
4. There are Men’s Groups, Small Groups, etc.
C. BIND THEM TO SERVICE IN THE CHURCH
1. Pastor Itobye said that this directive is crucial for revival. The church needs a multitude of workers. Believers need to do ministry in order to grow.
2. Virtually every person in the Nigerian church has a job or several jobs. If they can sing, they are in a choir. If they can teach, they are teaching a class. If they can drive, they pick up people who need a ride. If they are good with cameras, they do videography or photography for the church. If they can cook, they prepare food for the needy or bereaved. Or they serve as ushers, childcare workers, bathroom monitors, parking lot attendants – BUT EVERYBODY HAS A JOB!
3. People are asked to start out at the most humble jobs, and as they prove themselves by having a good attitude and doing a top-notch job, they are promoted to higher stations.
CONCLUSION
A. CHALLENGE
1. ANGELA. I want to say a big thank you to Pete Smith for his burden to take up offerings for the needy of Nigeria. Challenge the congregation to think about
2. PASTOR JOHN. Pastor Itobiye’s wisdom – not just hand out money to all needy, but target the most needy and those who can make the greatest contribution by spreading the Gospel:
a. Caring for the most destitute widows.
b. Paying for education or
c. Help start a business for on-fire, dedicated believers who have a life-time to serve God.
3. POSSIBILITIES. Across the street from the District camp there is space to build an orphanage and a medical clinic. These were hopes that the pastor expressed to someday accomplish.
B. THE CALL
1. Let’s pray for the Nigerian Christians, for revival in this church, and your participation in implementing the three Bs:
a. BRING THEM TO CHRIST
b. BUILD THEM UP IN CHRIST
c. BIND THEM TO SERVICE IN THE CHURCH.
2. In the weeks ahead I want to challenge you to implement these 3 priorities in your lives!
