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.
