The Evaluation Of Methodist Missionary Activities In Nkanuland (1910-2000)
Abstract
Since the Methodist Church first arrived in Nigeria from England in 1843, it has extended to numerous locations throughout this nation. It has had a significant impact in many sectors, and the church made a significant contribution to the shaping of Nkanuland’s history in particular. It makes sense that it has a good impact on people’s life. In the past, idolatry and wicked customs such as ritual murder, murder, idol worship, the death of twins, and molestation of innocent folk were commonplace in Nkanuland. Christianity brought in a new era in history. But that wouldn’t be possible without the missionaries’ painstaking work and high costs in restoring the Nkanu people’s dignity. Some of them were subjected to a harsh, unfavorable climate marked by insect bites that caused death. Despite these obstacles, they persisted in leaving a significant impression on Nkanuland’s history and leaving lasting legacies by helping to create hospitals, schools, and most importantly the gospel. This study’s data was gathered through participant observations, books, notebooks, and records at numerous churches.
Text Of The Chapter
Cover Page: … … … … … … … … i Fly Page: … … … … … … … … … Title Page: “……………………” iii Certification: iv Approval:…………………… vi
The dedication is as follows: vii Acknowledgements: viii Table of Content:………………… x Abstract:……………………… xi
First Chapter: Introduction
Background Information for the Study: Statement of the Problem:……… 2 1.3 The goal of the study is: 3 1.4 The study’s scope was to: 4 1.5 Importance of the study:……… 4 1.6 Methodology: 5 1.7 Definitions of Key Terms: 6
xi
Review of Chapter Two’s Literature
2.1 Nkanu at Dawn:……… 7
2.2 The beginning of missionary activity in Nkanu: 10
2.3 Obstacles and challenges: 11
2.4 Evangelism Techniques:……… 15
Nkanuland In Perspective (Chapter 3)
3.1.1 Members of the Nkanu people: 15
3.1.2 Nkanu’s History, Beliefs, and Customs: 18
3.1.3 Social Organization:… 20
3.1.4 Important Organizations: 22
Part Iv: Missionary Activities In Nkanuland
4.1 Methodist Missionaries’ Arrival: 24
4.2 Coming into contact with traditional life: 25
The Evangelistic Outreach:……… 27
4.4 Strengths:……………… 28
Problems:……………… 30
Evaluation of missionary activities is covered in Chapter Five.
5.1 The Development and Growth of the Church: 32
5.2 Notable Church Figures: 42
5.3 The Missionaries’ Enduring Legacies: 44
5.4 Nkanuland’s future as a Christian nation: 47
Sixth chapter: overview and conclusion
5.4.1 Summary:……………… 50 5.4.2 Conclusion:……………… 51 5.4.3 Recommendations:…………… 51
5.4.4 Suggestion for additional investigation: … … 60
References:………………… 61
Chapiter 1
Introduction 1. Study Background
Since the beginning of time, humanity has served as an extension of God’s plans to reach out to the generations who have been left behind and to alter the social, political, and economic climate of every country. Only when God actively participates in the activities, plans, and organizations of human life can a nation’s existence have any real value. Despite being a country with a wide variety and abundance of natural and human resources, Nkanu nonetheless struggles with an economic, social, and developmental mess that is infused with the retrograde tendencies that have long stymied its development.
Additionally, this has led to unjustified suffering. But thanks to the missionaries, things started to change when Christianity arrived. It gave the people’s existence purpose and value. In the year 1910, Rev. Brewer was the first Methodist missionary to travel from Nara to Agbani in Nkanu. He was alive between 1916 until 1925.
Agbani had three warrant chiefs who were crucial to the white man’s acceptance, according to Chief Nnamani Nwa-Ugboachi (personal communication, 13/6/2010), one of the major chiefs who functioned as a teacher and interpreter to the white man. The warrant chief Nnaji Onakporoko, however, was the one who actually
The missionary was originally welcomed by 2, who also assisted him in starting the first church and school in Akpoeke.
The missionaries made the decision to live there with their objective of converting the community area and its surroundings because of the friendliness of the Agbani people, which was made possible by the then warrant chief. They first built a Methodist church that was also used for educational purposes just across from the train line, relatively close to the road that now leads to Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani’s house.
1.1 Description of the Issue
Corruption and nepotism had no place in the Methodist missionary work in Nkanuland. The pure message of the gospel was preached. While carrying out their duties, the missionaries provided unselfish services. As they occasionally gathered to discuss the same objective back then, they were able to retain their unwavering concentration. However, egocentrism has replaced those principles in the modern world. No longer interested in leaving enduring legacy are Nkanu Christians. Instead of following the missionaries’ lead, they are more interested in boosting their egos and advancing their own interests.
In order to understand why the standard of Christianity has declined and fallen short of expectations, the researcher is seeking to identify the elements that have contributed to this breakdown in Nkanu people’s values.
Three expectations. He linked this to modernisation, the impact of globalization on learning, and the government’s takeover of education.
1.2 Study’s Objectives
Given the terrible conditions the Nkanu people were living in, the arrival of the missionaries marked a turning point in Nkanuland’s history.
Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the activities of the missionaries who used the Methodist Church as a vehicle to spread the gospel to Nkanuland. In order to counteract the current bad trend of consumerism that is connected with the spread of the gospel, it also tries to delve into the circumstances that led to their exploits, their mistakes, and what they experienced.
The nature of Nkanuland prior to the arrival of those missionaries must nevertheless be properly addressed for this study to be considered complete. In order to accomplish this, we turn to mental images of the traditions and rituals that marked their lives prior to the arrival of Christianity. It includes how the populace feels about the missionaries and their good intentions. It’s also fascinating to know that, in addition to the gospel, other initiatives included the construction of hospitals and schools as well as the outlawing of immoral customs like the execution of twins, albinos, and other such acts.
Above all, this study urges both the present and the next generation to not let up and to make sure that the legacy left by those ardent missionaries is not consigned to history’s trash can.
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1.3 Study’s Purpose
The report evaluates Methodist missionary efforts specifically with regard to Nkanuland in Enugu State. This study will only focus on Nkanu, but it will highlight the missionaries’ activities and how they affected the local populace and surrounding communities.
1.4 Importance of the Research
Sadly, despite being aware of the strategy used by the Methodist missionaries for the previous effort of gospel propagation, Christians and pastors in Nkanuland consistently disregard the proper approach and motive to the spread of the gospel.
In order to lay a strong foundation and create a landmark for the gospel to be preached to future generations, this work is an attempt to critically examine the scope of the missionaries’ work, their methods, and the positive effects they had on the destiny of the Nkanu people.
Additionally, this study combines historical and empirical research. It is intended to act as a starting point for additional research on this topic or ones that are related for this generation and future generations in Nkanu and the nation at large.
The significance of this study is that it will awaken the conscience of Nkanuland’s believers who have withdrawn into their homes out of fear of persecution by letting them know about the tenacity the Methodist missionaries showed.
However, it will offer resources via which believers will be adequately prepared to spread the gospel.
Methodology 1.5
The Nkanu People’s history, cultures, and traditions are all included in the study. Primary sources will be useful and reliable in the report.
Oral interviews with select elders and religious leaders will be a part of the technique to get to the heart of the missionaries’ efforts during their diligent labor in mm Nkanuland. The researcher will also make mention of resources, tools, or activities from national and state museums.
1.6 Term Definitions
Evaluation: Expounding on the principles, reveal the seeds of a thing. Evaluation is defined as “to asses or form an idea of the amount, quality, or value of something or someone” in the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. the result of something’s importance.
6 Methodists: A group of Christians who adhered to John Wesley’s teachings. In 1842, they started working in Nigeria. It is that branch of Methodism that John Wesley founded. In 1842, they started working in Nigeria. It is a self-governing church that exalts Jesus Christ in spirit and truth. Additionally, it fulfills the Lord’s roles as prophet and priest.
A missionary is someone who makes an effort to educate others about their religion, particularly among those who are unaware of it. According to Oxford Advanced Learners, I am a person sent to enlighten non-Christians about the Christian religion.
It was described in the sixth edition as a person sent to a foreign country to spread Christianity.
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