Project – Effect of Morning Evangelism on Church Growth. A Study of five selected Churches in Ikorodu

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Church growth has been a major concern for Christian organizations worldwide. It involves not only the increase in membership but also spiritual development, active participation, and impact on the community. Various strategies have been employed to ensure sustainable church growth, including social programs, community engagement, and evangelism (Green & McDonald, 2014). Among these, morning evangelism has emerged as a significant practice in many Nigerian churches, particularly within Pentecostal and Charismatic denominations.

Morning evangelism, often conducted before work hours, involves congregants engaging in outreach activities such as preaching, personal testimonies, distribution of religious literature, and prayer sessions in public spaces (Okafor, 2018). This practice serves as a strategic method for attracting new members, enhancing church visibility, and fostering spiritual revival. The early morning timing is considered effective because it reaches people during quiet hours when they are receptive and not yet occupied with daily routines. The initiative aligns with biblical instructions on spreading the gospel, as seen in Mark 16:15, where believers are urged to proclaim the good news to all creation.

In Ikorodu, Lagos State, several churches have integrated morning evangelism as part of their outreach programs, aiming to expand their congregation, increase tithes and offerings, and strengthen community influence. The relationship between morning evangelism and church growth, however, has not been systematically examined, particularly within local contexts where cultural and socio-economic factors may influence outcomes. Understanding this relationship is crucial for church leaders, pastors, and policymakers seeking effective strategies to stimulate spiritual and numerical growth.

Church growth can be measured through multiple indicators, including membership increase, attendance consistency, active participation in church programs, and community influence (Kollman, 2015). Despite the widespread adoption of morning evangelism in Nigerian churches, questions remain regarding its actual impact on these indicators. Previous studies have emphasized evangelism as a tool for spiritual revival but have largely overlooked its quantitative effect on church expansion, especially in urban centers like Ikorodu, which is characterized by a diverse and mobile population.

Moreover, the effectiveness of morning evangelism may be influenced by several factors, including church size, congregational commitment, leadership styles, and the socio-cultural receptivity of the local community (Adeyemo, 2020). Therefore, a focused investigation on selected churches in Ikorodu is essential to provide empirical insights into the extent to which morning evangelism contributes to church growth.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Church leaders continually seek methods to enhance both spiritual and numerical growth. Morning evangelism has been adopted as a popular outreach strategy, yet anecdotal evidence suggests mixed results regarding its effectiveness. Some churches report increased attendance and new converts following consistent morning evangelism, while others experience minimal impact, raising questions about the conditions under which it is most effective.

Despite the popularity of morning evangelism, there is a paucity of empirical research in the Nigerian context, especially in urban areas such as Ikorodu. Many studies have concentrated on general evangelism practices, ignoring specific time-bound outreach initiatives like morning evangelism (Ojo, 2019). This gap in knowledge makes it difficult for church leaders to evaluate the actual contribution of morning evangelism to church growth or to identify best practices that optimize results.

Additionally, factors such as members’ participation levels, consistency in evangelism, demographic variations, and the receptiveness of the local community may moderate the effectiveness of morning evangelism. Without an in-depth analysis, churches risk expending resources on outreach programs that may not yield significant growth. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate the effect of morning evangelism on church growth in Ikorodu, focusing on five selected churches to provide a detailed understanding of the dynamics involved.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of morning evangelism on church growth. The specific objectives are:

1. To determine the relationship between morning evangelism and membership growth in selected churches in Ikorodu.

2. To assess the impact of morning evangelism on church attendance and participation.

3. To evaluate the influence of morning evangelism on the spiritual development of church members.

4. To identify challenges encountered by churches in implementing morning evangelism programs.

1.4 Research Questions

This study seeks to answer the following research questions:

1. What is the relationship between morning evangelism and membership growth in selected churches in Ikorodu?

2. How does morning evangelism affect church attendance and participation?

3. In what ways does morning evangelism influence the spiritual development of church members?

4. What challenges do churches face in implementing morning evangelism programs?

1.5 Hypothesis

The study will test the following hypothesis at a 0.05 significance level:

H₀: Morning evangelism has no significant effect on church growth in selected churches in Ikorodu.
H₁: Morning evangelism has a significant effect on church growth in selected churches in Ikorodu.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it provides empirical evidence on the effectiveness of morning evangelism, offering practical insights for pastors and church leaders seeking to enhance church growth strategies. Secondly, it contributes to academic knowledge on church growth in urban Nigerian contexts, serving as a reference for future research. Finally, by identifying challenges and best practices associated with morning evangelism, the study can guide churches in optimizing outreach programs to achieve sustainable growth.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on five selected churches in Ikorodu, Lagos State, examining how morning evangelism affects various dimensions of church growth, including membership increase, attendance, spiritual development, and community impact. The study is limited to churches that actively engage in morning evangelism programs and excludes churches that do not practice any structured outreach during early hours.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

• Morning Evangelism: Outreach activities conducted in the early morning, including preaching, prayer, and distribution of religious literature to engage non-members.

• Church Growth: Increase in church membership, attendance, participation in church programs, and influence within the community.

• Spiritual Development: Enhancement of individual members’ faith, commitment, and understanding of religious doctrines.

Project – Effect of Morning Evangelism on Church Growth. A Study of five selected Churches in Ikorodu