Nigerian Calvin Seminary Graduates
From The Forum Magazine, Winter 2015 - view the full issue here
The church in Nigeria is facing two large threats: violent Islamists from outside and superficial disciples inside. This is the assessment made by several Nigerian graduates of Calvin Theological Seminary when asked about the state of the church in their country.
Regarding the violence, Rev. Dr. Caleb Ahima, a 1998 M.A. graduate and the current president of the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (CRC-N) said, “Persecution against the church is increasing through the devastating attacks of the Boko Haram and other Muslim fundamentalists, mostly in the northern part of the country.” Late last year a congregation of the CRC-N was attacked, and the pastor and many church members were killed.
One of the urgent prayer requests of the Nigerian graduates is for the church’s faithfulness to Christ in the midst of persecution, for an end to violence and fear, and for peace and justice to prevail.
The second threat is one that is directly linked to the phenomenal expansion of the Nigerian church. Churches are growing faster than leaders are being trained. People flock to the churches in great numbers, but then fail to be discipled.
Preaching is often biblically suspect or shallow. Unorthodox teachings, such as the prosperity gospel, are common fare in many of the fastest growing, Pentecostal-type churches. “Many church leaders lack theological training, so they either deliberately or ignorantly teach heresy to the members,” observed current M.T.S. student Rev. Darshak Toma. “Nigerian pastors need sound theological training.” This is what brings some of them to study at Calvin Seminary. Financial costs are a great challenge for most, and separation from family is a common hardship and sorrow. “It’s not easy,” is a common refrain, “but we thank God.”
Theological study abroad is not the only option. There are also a number of solid seminaries in Nigeria. One of these is the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN). A Ph.D. graduate of Calvin Seminary, Rev. Dr. Tersur Aben, is the provost (president) of the college. Student numbers at TCNN have recently climbed higher than those of Calvin Seminary.
Nigerian Calvin Seminary graduates look back with appreciation for their time at the seminary. “It gave me an environment that was peaceful and with good resources so I could concentrate on my studies,” said 2014 graduate Rev. Emmanuel Bileya. Rev. Sagarga Nuvalga, a 2007 graduate, testified, “Calvin Seminary helped me to rediscover myself and the purpose of my life as a child of God and shepherd in the church.” Dr. Ahima commented, “I enjoyed the simplicity of the faculty members and their honest and friendly socialization with the students.”
Rev. John Eigege, an M.Div. graduate of 2012 now ministering in a diverse community in Houston, Texas, summarized what is to be learned from the Nigerian church: “It truly embodies and lives in the reality that nothing can separate us from Christ’s love. In the midst of widespread persecution, the faith of her members remains strong. The Nigerian church is a genuinely and perpetually joyful bride of Christ.”
