Back to: Bible Knowledge Primary 6
Welcome back to class!
Today, we’re going to learn about some important groups called Christian missions (churches) that have come to Nigeria. The coming of Christianity to Nigeria is a significant chapter in the nation’s religious and cultural history. These groups have played a big part in our country’s history. Let’s see who they are…
List of various Christian missions (churches) now operating in Nigeria.
- Wesleyan Missionary Society
In 1842, Wesleyan missionaries came to Badagry, spreading the message of Jesus, building schools, and helping the sick. - Church Missionary Society (CMS)
Also in 1842, CMS missionaries arrived in Badagry. Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a key figure, translated the Bible into Yoruba. - Baptist Mission
The Baptist missionaries came in 1850, focusing on Southern Nigeria. They built schools and strengthened communities with their teachings. - Methodist Mission
In 1842, Methodist missionaries landed in Badagry, building schools, hospitals, and churches while sharing the gospel. - Anglican Church
Started by CMS in 1842, the Anglican Church emphasized preaching, education, and translating the Bible into local languages. - Salvation Army
Arriving in 1920, the Salvation Army helped the poor, fed the hungry, and showed God’s love through action. - Assemblies of God Mission
In 1939, Assemblies of God missionaries spread the gospel with passion and trained pastors through Bible schools. - Presbyterian Church
Scottish missionaries introduced the Presbyterian Church in 1846, focusing on education and healthcare in Calabar. - Sudan United Mission (SUM)
The SUM began work in Northern Nigeria in 1904, sharing Christianity, building schools, and supporting communities. - Sudan Interior Mission (SIM)
In 1893, SIM missionaries brought the gospel to Hausa regions and built hospitals in Northern Nigeria. - Church of Scotland Mission
Arriving in the late 1800s, they worked in Calabar, offering education and healthcare to improve lives. - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) In 1978, LDS missionaries focused on strong families and self-reliance, teaching skills like farming and saving.
- Approximate dates of the arrival of the missionaries.
The mission churches arrived in Nigeria at different dates. Church Missionary Society missionaries came on December 1842 and were firmly established in Abeokuta (1846), Lagos (1851), Ibadan (1853), and Oyo (1856). Baptist missionaries headed by the American evangelist, started work from Ogbomosho in 1855. Also, the Church of Scotland headed by the Rev. Hope Waddell started pioneering work, in 1846 in Calabar. The Roman Catholic Mission came to Nigeria in 1860 and Wesleyan Missionary Society came on September 1842.
- The activities of the early missionaries
Before Christianity and prior to the missionaries’ coming to Nigeria, most Nigerians followed traditional religions. These included worshipping gods, spirits, and ancestors. Nigerians had special priests and priestesses who led their worship and religion was deeply connected to culture, celebrations, and everyday life.
They believed in and practiced rituals to make money and do many things like killing twins. When the missionaries arrived, some of these evils practiced stopped. Before they came, Nigerians were uneducated. On their arrival, they built schools and many people were educated.
The missionaries preached the gospel of Jesus and many people became Christian.
- What the early missionaries did
The early missionaries were very busy, trying to help people in many ways including…
- Preaching and Teaching
- They taught people about Jesus and the Bible. They also translated the Bible into local languages like Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa.
- Building Schools
- Missionaries opened schools to teach reading, writing, and mathematics. Some famous schools, like CMS Grammar School in Lagos, were started by them.
- Providing Health Care
- They built hospitals and treated sick people. They taught people about hygiene and medicine.
- Helping Freed Slaves
- They supported freed slaves and taught them skills like farming and carpentry.
- Stopping Harmful Practices
- Missionaries spoke against practices like the killing of twins (which was common in some areas).
MORAL LESSONS
- It is good to extend the love of God like the missionaries
- We should be ambassador of Christ like the missionaries
- The coming of the missionaries helped to put a stop to all the ritual practices
- The coming of the missionaries brought civilization and education to Nigeria
FUN QUIZ ACTIVITIES
1. Can you name 4 Christian Missions in Nigeria?
- Baptist Mission
- Methodist Mission
- Anglican Church
- Catholic Mission
2. What are 2 important things the early missionaries did in Nigeria?
- They helped stop harmful practices.
- They brought education and new ways of thinking.
3. When did the Baptist Mission arrive in Nigeria?
- February 1849
Remember, students, learning about our past helps us appreciate our present and build a better future. The story of Christianity in Nigeria is a story of change, learning, and growing together as a nation. Keep exploring and keep learning
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Very interesting history, may the Lord reward the missionaries.
Now may the church of God continue to match forward and gate of hell shall not prevail
AMEN
Nigerians were not uneducated. We had systems of education that was slightly different from the European’s style. In the north, Arabic was already being taught in a formal setting so the people can learn how to read the Quran. In other words they could already read and write. Here in the west we had Ifa philosophers who had apprentices that learned as they worked. That Is a form of education. We were not uneducated before the white n’en came. I advise you correct this post, it’s very misleading
They were highly uneducated,and you’re even more uneducated to put forth such backward and retarded opinion as this.. how can you call someone who killed twins educated?