By Nkem Okemiri

We thank God for what He is doing in Nigeria. A great revival is going on, as the church is attracting multitudes from all walks of life. It’s indeed a move of the spirit. Time was in this country when it was unpopular to be a Christian because of the destitution and mockery that went with it. Today, the story has changed; it is a pride to be a Christian in Nigeria, especially in eastern, western and southern cities. However, much of the revival in Nigeria is happening in the cities. To city dwellers, pastors and churches, something great is happening.

However, rural churches, especially those in Northern Nigeria, continue to pray for a visitation of God. For example, although the Nasarawa State area is very close to Abuja the Federal Capital Territory, the churches here are far from experiencing the noise of growth and prosperity prevalent in the Abuja city Churches. So with my area in mind, I want to tell you something about the gospel and the rural populace in northern Nigeria. Most Rural dwellers quietly resist the gospel because of difficult socio-economic conditions, just as the children of Israel in Egypt resisted Moses  “So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage” (Exodus. 6.9).

To most of the rural dwellers, the gospel and commitment to God is for those who are comfortable. They want a gospel that can also improve their living conditions. They need good drinking water, electricity, roads, hospitals, and schools. Earlier missionaries had the wisdom of presenting the local people with the gospel as well as their physical needs. Today, however, the missionary has only his bible, a smile, and a hut where the people gather for teachings. But the people need more. Islam has discovered this secret, and Muslims are invading even the eastern and southern villages (traditionally Christian communities) armed with the Koran, water supply, access to medial care, and electricity supply among other needs of the masses. Tragically, the people flock to Islam, which seem to answer to their authentic physical and social needs. Many of the large city churches do not involve themselves in rural ministry because they believe it costs a lot of money to run and sustain a church in a remote village, providing preaching equipment and musical instruments. Rural church offerings are in the lowest currency denominations. So, it does not look ‘profitable’ to plant a church in the village community although Christ died equally for the poor people who live there.

Pastors and missionaries in the rural areas need study materials. It is common to find many of them using bibles that have no cross-reference or concordance. They cannot afford the cheapest study Bibles, concordance, or dictionaries. Many have never heard of, or seen a copy of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, and they are not expected to study or preach any less than those who are privileged to have them. However, how can they preach without studying, and how can they study without proper tools and materials? In our area, we have such a burden to share even our study materials and other resources with the pastors around. Their churches are small, congregations poor, income very low, but potential for spreading the good news is great. Life in the ministry is a hard one without a sending base; and most  pastors here are independent.

Pastors and missionaries in the rural areas need food and clothing. It is very hard to intercede for, or minister to people when your stomach is running empty and you did not mean to fast. Sometimes, pastors and other gospel workers fast because there is no food in the house.

In most cases also, it is not difficult to identify a rural preacher. His one and only worn-out suit and tie and his rickety shoes tell it all. When you cannot even feed, clothing is surely not something to invest in. The rural preacher does not have to look so out-dated and worn-out. He is an ambassador and messenger of the lord Jesus Christ, regardless of where he is serving.

If the rural preacher is encouraged with food, clothing, and study materials, he will much more effectively serve the Lord in his community. And if rural churches are housed, and furnished with preaching equipment, and musical instruments, and the rural communities provided with certain basic amenities like clean drinking water, schools, and access to medical care, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ will flourish in these areas.

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