ONE YEAR AFTER THE HOPE CHANNEL EVANGELISTIC SERIES IN NIGERIA: PART ONE

 

By Ekpor Temple

October 20^th 2024, marked one year since we hosted the Hope Channel International digital evangelism, an unforgettable experience that sent ripples across West Africa. Do you remember the euphoria and how electrifying it was? Sincerely, it's hard to forget, I don’t know about you.

Before delving into this piece, I want to take a moment to truly appreciate whatever sparked your curiosity to taking the time to open and read this piece.

This article is part of a larger vision to do annual remembrance of the Almost Home Hope Channel International evangelism. It stems from a strong desire to formulate a powerful instrument that will drive the church toward digital transformation in Nigeria. 

Written from a journalist's lens, it is the product of thorough research crafted with intent and care. While my passion to see the church fulfill its mission and expand its reach plays a part, and remains a constant force, the real catalyst behind this writing is the aspiration to spark meaningful change. 

However, reading this article alone won't make the difference or transform the way things are done in our churches. For that to happen, both our leaders and members must embrace the lessons shared here, they must be intentional to pull off the page and apply them practically in their congregations and ministries.

The Hope Channel evangelistic series, organized in collaboration with the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC) and the West-Central Africa Division (WAD), was designed to mark the culmination of the ENUC Pentecost 2023 and centenary celebration. This monumental event sought to ignite the flame of hope and spread the gospel far and wide, reaching thousands across Nigeria and beyond. 

The series ran from October 20 to November 4, 2023, with live broadcasts broadcast from the uplink center at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mile 3, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, opposite Rivers State University Roundabout, Port Harcourt. And  resulted in the baptism of over 8,000 souls, with more than 10,000 locations nationwide tuning in via satellite, YouTube, and Facebook streaming. 

In fact, the physical attendance across 22 countries—reaching over 50,000 participants at numerous downlink centers, highlighted how deeply the series resonated with many. 

A noteworthy technical achievement was the translation of the program into seven languages: French, Pidgin, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Ibibio, and Ijaw, making it very easy for our local members and prospect to comprehend the daily teachings.

Themed “Almost Home”, “Proclaiming Hope to a Broken World, the series speaker, Pastor Christopher Holland (Senior Evangelist, Hope Channel International), demonstrated a high level of leadership, professionalism and stage management that was loved by all. His masterful presentation and commanding delivery not only elevated the church’s public image but also portrayed it as an organized and effective institution. 

Each day, Pastor Holland seamlessly wove together historical and theological truths, offering viewers, Bible friends, and church members a renewed sense of hope in God during these challenging times. The series wasn’t just about preaching; it was a well-rounded experience with music, health seminars, and family life presentations. 

The Preachers decision to embrace Nigerian culture by wearing traditional attire each evening further endeared him to local audiences, blending cultural appreciation with spiritual inspiration in a way that made the message of hope feel personal and relatable to the congregations at difference locations.

Did we achieve our target?

Yes of course! The evangelistic series left a profound effect on the spiritual and digital growth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Eastern Nigeria Union Conference. It achieved several notable successes as follows:

First, it attracted a significant number of attendees, both in-person and online, thanks to the effective use of various media platforms that facilitated real-time interaction and feedback. A remarkable outcome was the baptism of over 8,000 Bible friends, resulting in increased church membership. This growth did not only strengthened our local congregations but also opened doors to previously unreached areas, established a stronger Adventist presence where missionary work had been challenging.

Additionally, the series integrated health outreach and community services, offered free medical check-ups and health education. Our Local pastors and leaders were not left behind, as they benefited from training in effective evangelism and digital outreach strategies, which enabled them to continue these efforts after the series ended.

Unarguably, the evangelism also marked a substantial step in the church's digital transformation, the use of technology has helped to enhance and expand our  reach and interaction with non members. And finally, the series influenced the lifestyle and mindset of many Adventists, encouraging them to adopt mission- centered lifestyles, with a focus on practical Christianity.  

As a church, what lessons have we truly learned?

This in-depth indisputable statistical research reveals practical truths that we as Adventists in Nigeria have not fully learned from last year's Hope for Africa and Almost Home evangelistic series in Kenya and Port Harcourt, and here are some of the reasons:

1. The Power of Digital Evangelism: One of the standout lessons I expected us to learn from the Almost Home series is the crucial role that digital social platforms play in modern evangelism. The event last year reached thousands through live streaming, social media, and digital broadcasts, it became evident that leveraging digital technology can extend the reach of the gospel. 

Therefore, our churches should prioritize building digital infrastructure and invest money in training members to use these platforms effectively. Just like the technical crew we brought from Tanzania, Ghana and Babcock University, our digital evangelist, if properly trained will help our churches create engaging content, produce promotional videos, engaging graphics, and informative posts that can be easily shared to raise awareness and interest in the activities of the church.

2. Punctuality, Coordination, and Professionalism: In Nigeria, a unique challenge that often arises in various church programs is the occasional lapses in punctuality, lack of programme coordination and laisser-faire attitudes. However, during last year’s program, the emphasis on punctuality proved to be a critical factor in the success achieved. Given that the series involved thousands of participants and numerous simultaneous activities ranging from live broadcasts to physical gatherings, effective coordination and timing became paramount. 

The program was scheduled to start at 6PM and, regardless of the event’s outline, it was crucial to conclude by 8 PM. Some of our members who worked back stage with the International guests at Mile 3 church, where the programme was staged were initially skeptical that the event could adhere to such strict timing, however, to our greatest surprise, it became clear that this adherence to schedule is a standard rule that must be embraced. 

Similarly, in Nairobi, the Kenyans demonstrated a commendable commitment to punctuality and time management during their Hope for Africa campaign media evangelisms sponsored by same Hope channel as compared to Nigeria.

Moving forward, it is essential for every levels of the church to prioritize punctuality and meticulous event planning in future programs. This can be achieved by clearly communicating schedules in advance and providing training for volunteers in effective time management. Additionally, Union and Conference leadership should establish and uphold high standards of professionalism for all church events. 

Therefore organizing trainings and workshop for pastors, coordinators, and volunteers can help alleviate the recurring issue of tardiness. Furthermore, instituting systems of accountability for non-adherence to schedules will ensure that members remains committed to timely execution.

3. Invitations and Targeted Outreach: Another key aspect of the Almost Home series was how invitations were managed and tailored.  Research shows that personal invitations and outreach have a profound impact on the main evangelism, as seen in the Hope for Africa series in Kenya. 

One of the reasons they witnessed the baptism of 194,000 precious souls was the personal ministries members adopted. Church members didn’t just invite people; they reached out to friends, family, and colleagues with genuine care and concern for their spiritual journey. 

They carefully studied the communities, identified areas where the message of hope could touch hearts most deeply and invested time and resources one year ahead. There was a passionate focus on personal interaction and the wise use of social media in spreading invitations through WhatsApp groups, broadcast, status Facebook page, events, and other similar platforms. 

These weren’t just casual invites, they were filled with life-changing testimonies, stories of transformed lives, and inspiring sermon previews that stirred excitement and anticipation.

By contrast, in Nigeria, the situation was different. Two months before the event, there was still doubt among some members on the reality of the evangelism.  In some churches, it is either there was hardly any conversation about the upcoming event, or both the leaders and members were slow to act or not proactive. 

While we did use both traditional and digital methods of invitation, there was less emphasis on personal engagement. Church leaders found themselves urging members to visit their neighbors and invite them to cottage meetings. 

The lesson here is this: every church member has the potential to be a missionary in their daily life. Through personal relationships, community outreach, and the thoughtful use of digital tools, the gospel can be shared in powerful ways. It might seem challenging, but it is certainly possible if Adventist members in Nigeria commit their hearts to it.

3. Community Service and Engagement: The series painted a vital truth—evangelism is most impactful when it addresses not just spiritual needs, but also the physical and social well-being of individuals and our nearby communities where our churches are located. In Kenya, the church judiciously combined the message of hope with tangible acts of service, offered healthcare initiatives, educational support, and benevolent efforts. 

Although one might argue that our economy has deteriorated to the point where churches struggle to fund outreach, or perhaps we simply aren’t accustomed to this pattern of evangelism, it’s something we can and should learn to adopt. 

This approach proves that effective evangelism in today’s world must extend beyond preaching, it must reach into the daily lives of people, addressing their real needs. The testimonies from the recent Communication Community Service Week held by the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC) should serve as a powerful inspiration to your church, showing the impact that compassion-driven outreach can have.

4. Invest in Medical Outreach:  Medical outreach has become a vital part of Adventist evangelism. During the Almost Home series, medical outreach was a central element, especially in regions where healthcare access is limited. No doubt, we had Rush Hour medical outreach efforts during the series in Nigeria, with minimal provisions of essential health services such as free medical surgeries, checkups, and distribution of medical supplies.  

In Kenya, Adventist Church is well-known for integrating health education and medical outreach into its evangelistic efforts, with organizations like the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) playing a significant role. The medical outreach during the Hope for Africa series just built on this legacy, offering both immediate medical services and long-term health education. 

One lesson from Kenya is on the importance of training church members in basic health services so they can act as health ambassadors year-round.  

So while we appreciated the medical outreach initiatives carried out during the Almost Home series, the sustainability and consistency of these programs need improvement in Nigeria. Union and Conference leaders must realize that medical outreach should not be a one-time event tied only to major evangelistic series. 

If we compare what happened in Kenya, you will agree with me that there is a strong need for continuous medical missions throughout the year to maintain relationships with communities. Our health Ministries need to start building partnerships with local healthcare providers and NGOs, this could enhance the church’s capacity to offer regular health services that would help easy reaping process during large evangelism or outreach.

5. Adaptability to Cultural and Regional Contexts: The Hope Channel series took place in two vastly different cultural contexts, Kenya and Nigeria, each faced with unique challenges in evangelism. The church’s missionary strategy in Kenya aligns well with the local culture. Many tribes in Kenya, like the Kikuyu and Luo, have embraced Christianity over traditional religions, creating fertile ground for Adventist outreach. This cultural openness has facilitated the growth of Adventist missionary activities. 

With over 1 million Adventist members, Kenya has one of the highest concentrations of Adventists in Africa. The presence of established institutions like the Adventist University of Africa, coupled with strong leadership, provided a solid base for missionary work. So, invariably, one should think that whenever Kenya actively engages in large-scale public evangelism, it should be highly effective. But the efforts of their members was very visible beyond this statistic.

In comparison, Nigeria has a population of over 234 million, with an enormous cultural diversity of over 250 ethnic groups, posing challenges to missionary work. The cultural divisions between the predominantly Christian south and Muslim north also create challenges for the expansion of Adventist missionary activities in certain regions. 

Furthermore, the church in Nigeria is still expanding its infrastructure. However, rather than see these socio-demographic dynamics as obstacles, we should have used them as strong tools toward achieving success during the Hope Channel series, but we failed… We can learn from it.

Thank you for for reading up to this point. I sincerely appreciate your engagement and interest in our discussion. As  you Stay tuned for the next episode, you are encouraged to take a moment to internalize all you have read and how you can apply them henceforth.

Stay tuned for the next episode, where we will explore more practical lessons from 2023 Hope Channel evangelical series in Port Harcourt.