Project – The Impact of Youth Evangelism on Church Growth: A Case Study of The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background to the Study

Evangelism is a central responsibility of the Christian Church and an essential expression of its mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Christian faith teaches that believers are called not only to receive the message of salvation but also to communicate it to others through preaching, personal witnessing, discipleship, and practical expressions of Christian love. In Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptising them and teaching them to observe His commandments. Similarly, Acts 1:8 presents the Holy Spirit as the source of power for Christian witness, extending from the local community to the ends of the earth. These biblical passages establish evangelism as a collective responsibility that involves Christians of different ages and backgrounds. Stott (1975) argues that Christian mission must be understood in relation to the Church’s responsibility to communicate the gospel and demonstrate its implications in the world. Bosch (1991) further explains that Christian mission is shaped by the relationship between the Church, the gospel, and the social and cultural contexts in which the message is proclaimed. From this perspective, youth evangelism is not simply an activity organised for young people but a significant way through which the Church equips younger believers to participate actively in its mission. When young Christians are encouraged to share their faith, they can contribute to the spread of the gospel, the development of new relationships with potential converts, and the strengthening of the Church’s witness in society.

Young people occupy an important position in the continuing life and mission of the Christian Church. Their energy, creativity, social relationships, willingness to learn, and familiarity with contemporary communication methods can provide opportunities for effective evangelistic engagement. In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul encourages Timothy not to allow others to despise his youth but to become an example to believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. This passage demonstrates that young people can exercise meaningful spiritual responsibility and provide positive examples within the Christian community. Rooted in this biblical understanding, youth evangelism involves preparing young Christians to communicate the Christian message, participate in outreach activities, invite people to church programmes, engage in community service, and support the spiritual development of new believers. Research on youth participation in religious groups suggests that youth ministry can influence young people’s relationships with congregations, although the outcomes depend partly on participation patterns and other social and religious factors (Snell, 2009). Similarly, a review by Moser and Nel (2019) identifies the separation of evangelism from discipleship as an important concern in youth ministry, particularly when churches emphasise attracting young people without adequately supporting their continued spiritual development. Consequently, the contribution of youth evangelism should be examined not only in terms of how many people young Christians reach but also in terms of their involvement in discipleship, congregational service, and the long-term development of the Church.

Church growth is a multidimensional concept that extends beyond an increase in the number of people attending worship services. It can include numerical growth through new converts, spiritual growth through deeper faith and Christian maturity, organisational growth through effective leadership and ministry development, and community growth through meaningful relationships and service. McGavran (1990), a prominent contributor to the development of church-growth studies, emphasises the importance of understanding how people become members of Christian communities and how congregations can communicate the gospel effectively within their social settings. Wagner (1984) also examines church growth in relation to evangelistic effectiveness, leadership, ministry structures, and the capacity of congregations to fulfil their mission. These perspectives suggest that the impact of youth evangelism should be assessed through several indicators rather than church attendance alone. For instance, youth-led outreach may introduce new individuals to the Christian faith, while follow-up visits, Bible studies, mentoring, and participation in fellowship activities may help newcomers establish lasting relationships with the congregation. However, numerical increases do not automatically demonstrate spiritual maturity or long-term commitment. Moser and Nel (2019) highlight the potential difficulties that arise when evangelistic activities are disconnected from discipleship. Therefore, evaluating youth evangelism at The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala, requires attention to both numerical indicators of church growth and the processes through which converts are integrated into the life of the congregation.

The contemporary environment presents both opportunities and challenges for youth evangelism. Young people interact through educational institutions, workplaces, social networks, community associations, sporting activities, and digital communication platforms. These settings can provide opportunities for sharing Christian beliefs and developing relationships with individuals who may not regularly participate in church activities. At the same time, young people encounter competing demands associated with education, employment, economic uncertainty, changing social values, and diverse religious perspectives. Mellstrom (2018) raises important questions about the purpose and effectiveness of local church youth ministry, particularly regarding the participation and spiritual development of young adults. More recent research by Holmes, May, and Davison (2025) examines young people’s perspectives on online and face-to-face contexts for evangelism, highlighting the importance of understanding how young people engage with questions of God and faith. These studies suggest that youth evangelism may be more effective when its methods reflect the experiences, communication habits, and concerns of the people being reached. Nevertheless, digital communication and contemporary outreach methods must be connected to meaningful Christian relationships and opportunities for discipleship. For a congregation seeking sustainable growth, youth evangelism should therefore be considered in relation to the suitability of its methods, the participation of young people, the availability of mentoring, and the ability of the Church to welcome and retain those reached through evangelistic activities.

Cameroon provides an important context for studying Christian evangelism because Christianity is a major component of the country’s religious landscape. The United States Department of State (2022), drawing on the most recent available national census at the time and other religious-demographic sources, reported a substantial Christian population in Cameroon alongside Muslim communities and adherents of other religious traditions. The country also has a diverse Christian environment that includes Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal, and other Christian communities. This diversity creates opportunities for Christian witness while requiring churches to understand the social and cultural circumstances in which evangelism takes place. Bosch (1991) observes that Christian mission must be understood in relation to the historical and cultural environments in which churches proclaim the gospel. In this regard, effective youth evangelism in Cameroon may require sensitivity to language, family relationships, educational experiences, economic circumstances, urban lifestyles, and the religious backgrounds of different communities. Young people may be particularly important in developing relationships with their peers because they often share similar educational, social, and communication environments. However, the existence of a substantial Christian population does not automatically establish that every congregation is experiencing numerical or spiritual growth. Each church must examine its own evangelistic practices, membership patterns, discipleship arrangements, and community relationships. Consequently, the Cameroonian context provides a relevant setting for investigating whether, and in what ways, youth evangelism contributes to church growth at the congregational level.

The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala, provides a specific institutional setting for examining the relationship between youth evangelism and church growth. According to the church’s published institutional information, Field 11 was established in 2015 to extend the Church’s work in Douala and surrounding areas. Its stated geographical coverage includes Bonapriso, Youpwe, Edéa, Kribi, Niété, and other communities. The church’s published profile also identifies evangelistic crusades, community engagement, educational initiatives, health outreach, and youth programmes among its ministry activities (The Apostolic Church Cameroon, n.d.). These activities offer a relevant institutional context for investigating how evangelistic efforts are organised and how young people participate in the mission of the Church. Youth involvement in such activities may create opportunities for reaching new people, strengthening relationships with community members, and encouraging participation in congregational life. However, the existence of youth programmes does not by itself establish their effectiveness or demonstrate that they have produced measurable growth. It is therefore necessary to investigate the actual participation of young people, the strategies they employ, the support they receive from church leaders, and the outcomes associated with their evangelistic activities. By focusing on Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala, this study seeks to examine youth evangelism within a defined church setting rather than assume that findings from other denominations or countries necessarily apply to this congregation.

Although youth evangelism is widely regarded as an important aspect of Christian mission, its contribution to church growth requires careful examination. Churches may organise evangelistic campaigns, youth fellowships, personal witnessing, community outreach, and digital evangelism without systematically assessing their outcomes. A systematic review of Christian faith-based youth work by Christian faith-based youth work: systematic narrative review (2021) identifies the importance of creating meaningful spaces where young people are valued, listened to, and given opportunities to participate responsibly. The review also shows that youth ministry can serve different purposes, including evangelism, personal development, and social engagement. Similarly, Snell (2009) demonstrates that the outcomes of youth-group participation are influenced by more than participation alone, making it important to consider the broader circumstances surrounding youth involvement. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of youth evangelism should not be assumed simply because programmes are organised or because young people attend church activities. Rather, it should be investigated through evidence concerning evangelistic participation, the number of people reached, new converts, follow-up practices, retention, and the involvement of young people in the continuing life of the Church. In the case of The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala, this investigation is important for identifying effective practices, possible obstacles, and opportunities for improvement. The study therefore examines the impact of youth evangelism on church growth, with particular attention to the relationship between youth participation, evangelistic strategies, discipleship, and the development of the local congregation.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Youth evangelism is an important aspect of the Christian mission because young people can contribute to spreading the gospel, attracting new members, and sustaining the spiritual life of the Church. However, the effectiveness of youth evangelism cannot be determined solely by the number of evangelistic programmes organised or the enthusiasm displayed by young people. It is necessary to establish whether these activities produce meaningful outcomes in terms of new converts, regular church attendance, discipleship, membership retention, and active participation in congregational life. Snell (2009) demonstrates that the outcomes of youth-group participation are influenced by several factors, including existing relationships and patterns of religious involvement. This raises an important concern for The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala: to what extent does youth evangelism contribute to measurable church growth? Without a systematic assessment, church leaders may find it difficult to determine which evangelistic activities are effective, which require improvement, and how the available resources can best be used to strengthen the Church’s mission.

A second problem concerns the relationship between evangelism and discipleship. While evangelistic campaigns and outreach programmes may introduce people to Christianity, sustainable church growth also requires that new converts receive spiritual guidance, biblical instruction, pastoral support, and opportunities to participate in congregational activities. Moser and Nel (2019) identify the separation of evangelism from discipleship as a concern in youth ministry, arguing that attracting young people without adequately supporting their spiritual development can contribute to difficulties in retaining them. In the context of Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala, it is therefore important to investigate whether the Church’s youth evangelistic activities are supported by effective follow-up arrangements and discipleship programmes. The problem is not merely whether young people are reaching others with the gospel, but whether those reached are helped to develop a lasting Christian commitment and become active members of the congregation.

A third problem relates to the methods employed in youth evangelism and the challenges that may affect their effectiveness. Contemporary young people operate within changing social, educational, economic, cultural, and technological environments. Consequently, evangelistic approaches that do not consider their experiences and communication patterns may have limited effectiveness. Holmes, May, and Davison (2025) examine young people’s perspectives on online and face-to-face evangelism, demonstrating the importance of understanding the contexts in which young people engage with religious questions. Mellstrom (2018) likewise raises questions about the effectiveness and purpose of local church youth ministry. For Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala, it is necessary to investigate the evangelistic methods used by young people, the level of support they receive from church leadership, and the practical difficulties they encounter. Possible issues requiring investigation include inadequate training, limited financial resources, competing educational or employment responsibilities, insufficient mentoring, and difficulties reaching people beyond existing church networks. These are matters to be examined rather than assumed to be established conditions within the Field.

A fourth problem is the need for context-specific evidence concerning the relationship between youth evangelism and church growth at The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala. Although the Church’s published institutional profile identifies evangelistic crusades, community engagement, and youth programmes among its ministry activities, the existence of these programmes does not establish their precise contribution to membership growth, conversion, retention, or spiritual development (The Apostolic Church Cameroon, n.d.). Research conducted in other countries and denominational settings offers useful insights, but its findings cannot automatically be applied to this particular congregation. McGavran (1990) emphasises the importance of understanding the social circumstances in which people respond to the Christian message and become part of church communities. Therefore, a focused investigation is needed to examine the youth evangelistic strategies employed in Field 11, the extent of youth participation, the outcomes associated with their activities, and the factors that may strengthen or limit their contribution to church growth. This study seeks to address that need by providing an evidence-based assessment that may inform youth ministry planning, evangelistic strategy, discipleship, and church development.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

1.3.1 Aim of the Study

The main aim of this study is to examine the impact of youth evangelism on church growth, using The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala, as a case study.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives are to:

1. Examine the youth evangelistic activities and strategies employed at The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala.

2. Assess the relationship between youth participation in evangelism and the numerical growth of the Church.

3. Investigate the contribution of discipleship, follow-up, and membership-retention practices to the effectiveness of youth evangelism.

4. Identify the major challenges affecting youth evangelism and recommend strategies for improving its contribution to church growth.

1.4 Research Questions

The study will be guided by the following research questions:

1. What youth evangelistic activities and strategies are employed at The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala?

2. What relationship exists between youth participation in evangelism and the numerical growth of the Church?

3. How do discipleship, follow-up, and membership-retention practices contribute to the effectiveness of youth evangelism?

4. What major challenges affect youth evangelism, and what strategies could improve its contribution to church growth?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis will guide the quantitative aspect of the study:

H₀: There is no statistically significant relationship between youth participation in evangelism and church growth at The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala.

The hypothesis may be tested using data collected from church members, youth participants, and relevant church records, subject to the availability and quality of the data.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study is expected to be significant to the following groups:

Church leadership: The findings may help the leadership of The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala, evaluate the effectiveness of existing youth evangelistic activities and identify areas requiring improvement. The findings may also assist leaders in planning outreach programmes, allocating resources, providing training, and developing stronger systems for integrating new converts into the congregation. McGavran (1990) emphasises the importance of understanding the processes through which people become members of Christian communities, making the evaluation of evangelistic outcomes relevant to church development.

Youth leaders and youth fellowship members: The study may help youth leaders understand their responsibilities in evangelism, discipleship, mentoring, and community engagement. It may also identify the skills, resources, and forms of leadership support that young Christians require to participate effectively in evangelistic activities. Snell (2009) provides a basis for considering the importance of youth-group participation and its relationship with religious involvement.

The congregation and new converts: The study may encourage the development of more effective follow-up and discipleship practices. By identifying the factors that support or hinder the integration of new converts, the Church may improve the experiences of newcomers and strengthen their participation in congregational life. This is consistent with Moser and Nel’s (2019) argument that evangelism and discipleship should be understood as connected aspects of youth ministry.

Christian educators and theological institutions: The research may contribute to discussions about youth ministry, Christian mission, evangelistic methods, and congregational development. It may provide a local case study that can be compared with research on youth ministry and religious participation in other settings. Bosch (1991) offers a broader theological foundation for examining how Christian mission relates to the social and cultural environments in which churches operate.

Future researchers: The study may provide a foundation for further research on youth evangelism and church growth in Cameroon and other African Christian contexts. Future studies may compare congregations, examine digital evangelism, investigate the long-term retention of young converts, or assess the relationship between youth leadership development and congregational growth.

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.7.1 Geographical Scope

The study is geographically limited to The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala, in the Littoral Region of Cameroon. The church’s institutional profile identifies Field 11 as a ministry structure serving Bonapriso and other communities within its wider geographical area (The Apostolic Church Cameroon, n.d.). However, the primary focus of the investigation will remain the specified case-study setting.

1.7.2 Content Scope

The study focuses on the impact of youth evangelism on church growth. It examines youth evangelistic activities, participation in outreach, evangelistic methods, new converts, numerical growth, discipleship, follow-up, membership retention, and challenges affecting evangelistic effectiveness. Church growth will be considered in terms of numerical development and the integration of new believers into congregational life. Spiritual development will also be considered where it can be examined through appropriate indicators, such as participation in discipleship and church activities. This approach recognises that church growth involves more than numerical increases alone (McGavran, 1990; Wagner, 1984).

1.7.3 Population Scope

The study will involve selected youth fellowship members, youth leaders, pastors, church administrators, and other church members who can provide relevant information about youth evangelism and church growth at Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala. Where accessible, church records relating to membership, attendance, evangelistic activities, and new converts may be examined with the appropriate authorisation.

1.7.4 Time Scope

The investigation will focus on a clearly defined period selected in consultation with the research supervisor and the church leadership. The final period should correspond to the availability of reliable information on youth evangelistic activities and church growth. No specific historical growth figures or dates will be assumed without supporting evidence.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

One possible limitation is the availability of reliable church records. Information on membership changes, attendance, new converts, and the outcomes of evangelistic programmes may not be recorded consistently. To address this limitation, the researcher may combine available records with questionnaires and interviews, where appropriate.

A second limitation concerns the possibility of response bias. Some respondents may overestimate the effectiveness of youth evangelism because of their commitment to the Church, while others may be unable to recall past activities accurately. The researcher should therefore use clear questions, assure participants of confidentiality, and compare responses from different categories of respondents.

A third limitation is the restricted geographical scope of the research. Because the study focuses on Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala, its findings may not represent every branch of The Apostolic Church Cameroon or other Christian denominations. Nevertheless, a carefully conducted case study can provide useful contextual insights into the relationship between youth evangelism and church growth.

A final limitation may arise from the difficulty of establishing causation. An increase in church membership may be associated with youth evangelism but could also reflect other factors, including pastoral leadership, family involvement, migration, special church programmes, and the activities of other ministries. Snell (2009) illustrates why the outcomes of religious participation should be examined in relation to broader circumstances. Consequently, the study will distinguish between a statistical relationship and evidence that youth evangelism directly causes church growth.

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms

Youth: In this study, youth refers to young people recognised as members or participants of the youth ministry of The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala. The specific age range will be determined in accordance with the Church’s definition of youth and the approved research design.

Evangelism: Evangelism refers to the communication and proclamation of the Christian gospel with the intention of introducing people to the Christian faith and encouraging a response to the message of Jesus Christ. It may involve personal witnessing, public preaching, outreach campaigns, community engagement, and digital communication (Stott, 1975; Bosch, 1991).

Youth evangelism: Youth evangelism refers to the participation of young Christians in communicating the gospel through organised church activities and personal initiatives. It includes outreach, invitations to church programmes, peer witnessing, evangelistic campaigns, and related activities.

Church growth: Church growth refers to the development of a congregation in terms of numerical membership, participation, the integration of new converts, and the strengthening of its organisational and spiritual life. In this study, numerical indicators and evidence of sustained participation will be considered separately.

Discipleship: Discipleship refers to the continuing process through which Christians learn biblical teachings, develop Christian character, practise their faith, and participate in the life and mission of the Church.

Follow-up: Follow-up refers to the activities undertaken after evangelistic contact or conversion to maintain communication with interested individuals and new believers, provide spiritual guidance, and encourage participation in church fellowship.

Membership retention: Membership retention refers to the continued participation of church members over a defined period. For this research, retention will be examined through available records and respondent accounts rather than assumed from initial attendance.

The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala: This refers to the specific church field selected as the case study for examining the relationship between youth evangelism and church growth.

1.10 Organisation of the Study

The research project will be organised into five chapters.

• Chapter One: Introduction presents the background to the study, statement of the problem, aim and objectives, research questions, hypothesis, significance, scope, limitations, and operational definitions.

• Chapter Two: Literature Review examines the conceptual, theoretical, and empirical literature on youth evangelism and church growth, including relevant biblical perspectives and previous research.

• Chapter Three: Research Methodology describes the research design, population, sampling procedures, data-collection instruments, validity, reliability, methods of data analysis, and ethical considerations.

• Chapter Four: Data Presentation and Analysis presents and analyses the data collected from respondents and relevant church records, tests the research hypothesis, and discusses the findings.

• Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations summarises the major findings, draws conclusions, and makes recommendations for improving youth evangelism and church growth at The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala.

Project – The Impact of Youth Evangelism on Church Growth: A Case Study of The Apostolic Church Cameroon, Field 11, Bonapriso, Douala.