A missiological study of the ministry experiences of Evangelical Missionary Society in Muslim evangelism in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

This study describes the ministry experiences of the Evangelical Missionary Society in Muslim evangelism in Northern Nigeria. A qualitative research design employing phenomenology was used for the study. Data was collected using face-toface open-ended interviews that were recorded and transcribed. The findings indicated that EMS missionaries used friendship evangelism, teaching strategies, healing and electronic media as evangelism tools and strategies. They were overwhelmed with various ministry challenges which included low self-esteem, suspicion by the Muslims, confrontation, fear of death, culture shock and ritualistic worship. There is interwovenness between their ministry experiences and strategies used. Therefore based on the findings, EMS missionaries will benefit from coming together to form strong interpersonal and management partnerships among themselves, improve their research and writing area and be encouraged to learn by living and working with the Muslim people. These steps should improve their effectiveness in Muslim evangelism. The researcher recommended that EMS should review the training aspect of preparation for ministry, consider what a Christian response to the question of Shariah should be and work towards strengthening the organizational effectiveness in facilitating EMS mission work.