Missions and evangelism; a veritable tool for church growth – A case study of apostolic christian church mission, Aba.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The growth of the Christian church has historically been tied to missions and evangelism. From the time of the apostles, the spread of Christianity has relied on intentional efforts to proclaim the gospel message beyond local communities. The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:18–20, remains the foundational mandate that directs the church to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them the word of Christ. Missions, in this sense, involve the deliberate sending out of individuals or groups across cultural, linguistic, and geographical barriers to proclaim the good news. Evangelism, on the other hand, emphasizes the personal responsibility of every believer to share the message of salvation in their immediate environment (Peters, 1972).
Both missions and evangelism function as indispensable tools for church growth. Church growth does not merely imply numerical increase but also encompasses spiritual maturity, discipleship, and active community engagement. Through evangelism, individuals are won to Christ, while missions ensure that the gospel message reaches unreached communities. Together, they enable the establishment of new congregations and strengthen existing ones. The early church in Acts provides a biblical example of how evangelism and missions worked hand in hand to foster expansion and sustainability.
In Nigeria, churches have long recognized the centrality of missions and evangelism in their expansion strategies. The history of Christianity in the country reveals how missionary societies played a significant role in establishing some of the most influential denominations. Today, indigenous churches continue this legacy by incorporating structured evangelism and mission programs into their growth strategies. Evangelistic crusades, church planting, and discipleship training remain integral to their outreach efforts, ensuring the continuous spread of the gospel across rural and urban contexts.
The Apostolic Christian Church Mission (ACCM) exemplifies a denomination that has sustained its vision of spreading holiness, discipleship, and community transformation through evangelism and missions. Founded with a commitment to biblical teaching and missionary zeal, the church has consistently sought to expand the kingdom of God in Nigeria. In particular, its activities in Aba, Abia State, highlight the crucial role of evangelism in a bustling urban environment. Aba, being a major commercial hub in southeastern Nigeria, provides fertile ground for evangelistic outreach given its large, diverse, and mobile population (Okoro, 2019).
The city of Aba presents both opportunities and challenges for missions. Its rapid urbanization has created avenues for the church to reach diverse ethnic groups, business communities, and transient populations. However, the same diversity also introduces competition among denominations and the rise of secular influences that challenge the effectiveness of evangelistic campaigns. Economic hardships, unemployment, and cultural pluralism further complicate the mission field, requiring innovative and context-sensitive strategies for outreach (Onwu, 2015).
Despite these challenges, the Apostolic Christian Church Mission has continued to prioritize missions and evangelism as central to its identity and growth. Inspired by the apostolic patterns of church planting and discipleship, the church invests in mission teams, outreach programs, and revival meetings. These efforts not only increase membership but also foster spiritual maturity and community transformation. The emphasis on holiness and discipleship ensures that converts are not just counted but are nurtured into active participants in the mission of the church.
The relevance of missions and evangelism extends beyond numerical growth to the holistic development of both individuals and communities. Churches that engage in active missions often contribute to education, healthcare, and social welfare, thereby improving the overall quality of life in their mission fields. This holistic approach enhances the credibility of the church’s witness and strengthens its presence in society. For the Apostolic Christian Church Mission, such community-oriented evangelism aligns with its vision of transforming lives through the gospel and practical support.
Thus, this study seeks to examine missions and evangelism as a veritable tool for church growth, with particular reference to the Apostolic Christian Church Mission in Aba. By analyzing the church’s strategies, challenges, and outcomes, the study aims to provide insights into how missions and evangelism can be optimized in contemporary Nigeria. Ultimately, the research highlights the continuing importance of the Great Commission in guiding the church’s role in society and ensuring sustained growth in both numerical and spiritual dimensions.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Despite the central role of missions and evangelism in church growth, many churches in Nigeria appear to be experiencing a decline in commitment to evangelistic practices. While the Great Commission places evangelism at the heart of Christian ministry, contemporary churches often face distractions that shift their attention away from active soul-winning. In many congregations, the emphasis has gradually shifted toward institutional maintenance, elaborate programs, and financial projects rather than consistent outreach to the unsaved (Iheanacho, 2018).
Several factors contribute to this decline in evangelistic fervor. Materialism has infiltrated church life, creating an environment where members are more focused on economic prosperity than on spiritual responsibility. Similarly, secularism and urban pressures such as the pursuit of wealth, social status, and leisure activities reduce the time and energy that believers devote to missions. Additionally, inadequate training of missionaries and evangelists results in weak follow-up strategies, leaving many converts without proper discipleship. This often leads to a cycle of shallow commitment and high attrition rates within congregations.
In the Nigerian urban context, particularly in cities like Aba, these challenges are more pronounced. Aba, being a commercial hub, exposes the church to intense competition from both secular influences and other religious groups. While this diversity presents opportunities for outreach, it also creates barriers when churches fail to develop innovative strategies for effective evangelism. The multiplicity of denominations, each competing for membership, sometimes breeds rivalry rather than cooperation in advancing the gospel.
For the Apostolic Christian Church Mission (ACCM) in Aba, sustaining missionary zeal remains a major challenge. The church faces difficulties in mobilizing adequate financial resources to support evangelistic campaigns, mission teams, and church planting projects. Economic realities such as unemployment and poverty further compound the problem, making it difficult for congregations to consistently fund outreach activities. Without sustained financial and human investment, missions often become irregular and ineffective.
Another pressing issue is the adaptation of evangelistic methods to modern urban contexts. While traditional forms of evangelism such as open-air crusades and house-to-house visitation remain valuable, the rise of digital communication, social media, and youth-oriented platforms demands a rethinking of mission strategies. The inability of some churches to integrate contemporary approaches has limited their reach, especially among young people and professionals in Aba who engage more with technology-driven forms of communication.
These problems raise critical questions that this study seeks to address: To what extent has evangelism contributed to the numerical and spiritual growth of the Apostolic Christian Church Mission in Aba? How effective are the mission strategies currently employed? What obstacles hinder evangelistic success, and how can they be overcome? Addressing these questions is essential not only for the growth of the ACCM but also for strengthening the broader role of missions and evangelism in church expansion within Nigeria.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to examine missions and evangelism as a veritable tool for church growth, with specific reference to the Apostolic Christian Church Mission, Aba. The specific objectives include:
- To explore the biblical and theological basis of missions and evangelism in church growth.
- To assess the methods of missions and evangelism adopted by the Apostolic Christian Church Mission, Aba.
- To evaluate the impact of missions and evangelism on the growth of the church in terms of membership, spiritual maturity, and community influence.
- To identify the challenges facing missions and evangelism in the Apostolic Christian Church Mission, Aba, and suggest practical solutions.
1.4 Method of the Study
This study will adopt a descriptive research design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data will be collected through questionnaires administered to church members and leaders, interviews with mission coordinators, and analysis of church records relating to membership growth and mission activities. Secondary data will also be obtained from books, journals, and relevant online resources on missions, evangelism, and church growth.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The study is significant because it contributes to the growing body of knowledge on missions and evangelism as essential tools for church growth in Nigeria. Although a number of studies have been carried out on church development, there is still a need for continuous academic reflection on how missions and evangelism influence both the numerical and spiritual growth of churches in urban contexts such as Aba. By providing empirical evidence and theoretical perspectives, this research adds to scholarly discourse in theology, missiology, and church administration.
For the Apostolic Christian Church Mission (ACCM), Aba, this research is of practical importance. It will provide insights into the effectiveness of the church’s current mission and evangelistic strategies, highlighting strengths that can be sustained and weaknesses that require improvement. Through the findings, the church leadership will be able to refine its evangelistic approaches, strengthen its mission programs, and develop innovative methods for reaching diverse communities in Aba and beyond. Such insights will ultimately help the ACCM fulfill its mandate of spreading holiness, discipleship, and community transformation.
The study is also significant to pastors, church leaders, and missionaries from other denominations. Since the challenges of missions and evangelism are not peculiar to the Apostolic Christian Church Mission alone, the findings will provide valuable lessons for leaders across denominational boundaries. By examining the successes and struggles of the ACCM in Aba, other churches can adapt the lessons to their contexts, improve their mission efforts, and avoid common pitfalls in evangelism.
Furthermore, this study has practical implications for church members. It will encourage greater awareness of the importance of personal and collective evangelism in sustaining church growth. When members understand that evangelism is not just the responsibility of clergy but of every believer, they are more likely to participate actively in outreach and discipleship. This study, therefore, has the potential to inspire a renewed zeal for soul-winning within the body of Christ.
Another significant contribution of this research is its relevance to society at large. Missions and evangelism, when properly practiced, do not only lead to church growth but also promote social transformation. Churches that engage in holistic missions often contribute to education, healthcare, moral reformation, and community development. Therefore, the findings of this study can help churches design mission programs that positively impact the wider society while simultaneously advancing the gospel.
Finally, this research will serve as a useful reference material for future researchers and students interested in the study of church growth, missiology, and evangelism. By documenting the experiences of the Apostolic Christian Church Mission in Aba, it creates a resource base that future scholars can build upon, compare with other contexts, or critique in order to advance knowledge. In this way, the study ensures continuity in academic inquiry and provides a foundation for subsequent research in theology and church growth.
1.6 Scope of the Study
This research focuses on the Apostolic Christian Church Mission (ACCM) in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. It examines evangelism and mission strategies employed by the church, their impact on growth, and the challenges encountered. The scope does not cover all churches in Aba but uses ACCM as a case study that reflects broader trends in Nigerian Christianity.
1.7 Definition of Terms
The definition of terms is buttressed below:
- Missions:Missions refer to the organized efforts of the church to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, often across cultural, ethnic, and geographical boundaries. It involves sending individuals or groups (missionaries) to unreached or less-evangelized communities to plant churches, disciple converts, and promote holistic development.
- Evangelism:Evangelism is the act of sharing the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ with the intention of persuading people to repent and believe in Him. Unlike missions, which often involve crossing boundaries, evangelism may occur within the same cultural or local context through preaching, teaching, witnessing, and personal testimonies.
- Church Growth:Church growth encompasses both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. Quantitative growth refers to the numerical increase in church membership, while qualitative growth refers to the spiritual maturity, discipleship, and active participation of members in the life and mission of the church.
- Apostolic Christian Church Mission (ACCM):This is a Christian denomination operating in Nigeria, with a distinct focus on holiness, discipleship, evangelism, and missions. In Aba, the church has been actively involved in community transformation through preaching, teaching, and outreach programs.
- Great Commission:This term refers to the final command of Jesus Christ to His disciples in Matthew 28:18–20, where He instructed them to go into all the world, make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them to obey His commands. It serves as the biblical foundation for missions and evangelism.
- Discipleship:Discipleship is the process of nurturing and training new converts to grow in the knowledge of Christ, live according to biblical teachings, and become active participants in the church’s mission. It is a vital complement to evangelism and ensures sustainable church growth.
