Imagine women gathering for a Stonecroft Bible Study (SBS) in Nigeria. The story goes like this: Through their engagement in God’s Word, these women encounter Jesus in powerful ways and their lives change. Attitudes turn to love and respect.
Their husbands notice the change and start studying the Bible. Over time, they, too, begin following Jesus Christ. The men also are changed. Some set aside negative ways such as stubbornness and rudeness. God becomes real in the lives of women, their husbands, and their children. Families are transformed. This picture is the beautiful, real-life cycle of how God is working through Friendship Bible Fellowship Ministries (FBFM), Stonecroft’s partner in Nigeria.
Nigeria is located in West Africa. It is the continent’s most populous nation (186-plus million people) and home to more than 520 ethnic groups.
FBFM reported several outreaches, trainings, and SBS in 2016 and 2017. These outreaches drew hundreds of women with many decisions for Christ and participants eager to study God’s Word as they signed up for SBS.
Lorraine Potter Kalal and Samuel Yilu
Pastor Samuel Yilu, an FBFM board member, recently visited the Stonecroft Home Office in Kansas. During his visit with staff, “Pastor Sam” presented reports of spiritual victory, ministered through God’s Word, and expressed hope for the future.
He shared concerns about the Nigeria president’s health and the country’s current economic crisis. Nigeria’s economic hardship has impacted younger families by putting more time constraints on women as they work harder and longer to help provide income for their families. This doesn’t leave women time for other things – including involvement in Bible studies, outreaches, and other activities, much less agreeing to lead them.
Another concern is terrorism in Nigeria’s northern states, where the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram ravages the region. The terrorists, many who pledge allegiance to Islamic State (ISIS) jihadists, drive Christians from their homes, burn their churches, and brutally assault the people even to the point of death for 20,000 Nigerians. One of Boko Haram’s most publicized acts was the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok. Eighty-two of these young women, now three years older, were released in May.
But amid all the tragedy and pain, Pastor Sam carries a message of hope – God is moving in Nigeria!
The traditional Nigerian culture is full of love, Pastor Sam explains. It’s a love that permeates the spiritual and emotional aspects of life and transcends socioeconomic, educational, and ethnic status. This love is displayed in FBFM outreaches and SBS. It’s a principle that is easily transferable to other parts of the world, including the United States, he says.
During his visit, Pastor Sam shared these prayer requests for Nigeria:
- Pray for restored health for President Muhammadu Buhari and for a much stronger economy.
- Pray that younger women will make time to volunteer and lead FBFM Bible studies and outreaches so their peers will hear the Gospel.
- Pray that Stonecroft Bible Studies will grow as more young women and couples get involved.
- Pray that God wipes out terrorism so men, women, and children can live in peace.
The FBFM looks forward to successful events in the future, with many more people making commitments to follow Christ.
“Success is not defined by what we are doing now,” Pastor Sam says. “Success is defined by the continuity of legacy.”
Editor’s note: FBFM has been a Stonecroft international partner since 1982. This fall, U.S. Stonecroft leaders will meet with ministry representatives from Nigeria and our other partner countries for prayer, encouragement, and discussion of ways to strengthen our ministries and partnerships.