Church of the Brethren in Nigeria marks centennial

Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN), the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria

The Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, or EYN), celebrated its centennial March 17. Nigerian seminary provost Dauda Gava reflected on EYN’s recent history and current status in the Brethren magazine Messenger.

After enduring violence at the hands of the terrorist group Boko Haram in the 2010s, the church is spreading to regions where members fled and established churches, Gava said.

“Though the church was seriously affected, it concentrated on reconciliation, reconstruction and relocation of members,” Gava said. “The church took a stand in supporting both Christians and Muslims that were returning from displacement.

. . . The church initiated a dialogue between Christians and Muslims to foster peace. This shows that EYN is a historic peace church.”

Insecurity and violence remain serious threats. Giving has declined because some people cannot farm or run businesses freely. Yet the church has grown in Nigeria and planted churches in Togo, Cameroon and Niger.

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