Project – Effect of Oral Evangelism on Church Growth. A Study of five Selected Pentecostal Churches in Ofu LGA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Evangelism occupies a central position in Christian theology and the mission of the Church. It involves communicating the message of Jesus Christ to individuals and communities with the purpose of inviting them to faith, repentance, discipleship and participation in the Christian community. The biblical foundation of evangelism is expressed in the Great Commission, in which Jesus instructed His disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptise them and teach them to observe His commandments (Matthew 28:19–20). Similarly, Acts 1:8 presents Christian witness as a mission empowered by the Holy Spirit and extending from local communities to wider geographical areas. Within this biblical framework, oral evangelism refers to the communication of the Christian gospel through spoken words, including personal witnessing, preaching, house-to-house visitation, open-air evangelism, public proclamation and conversations about faith. It remains an important means through which churches communicate their beliefs, establish relationships with non-members and invite people to participate in Christian worship and fellowship. Hunsberger (1994) examines the biblical warrant for evangelism and highlights the theological significance of communicating the Christian message. Therefore, oral evangelism can be understood not merely as a church activity but as an expression of the Church’s responsibility to bear witness to the Christian faith.

Church growth is another important subject in Christian ministry because it concerns the development, expansion and continuing effectiveness of the Christian community. Church growth may be understood in quantitative terms, such as increases in membership, attendance, conversions and the establishment of new congregations, as well as qualitative terms, including spiritual maturity, discipleship, unity, leadership development and participation in Christian service. These dimensions are related but should not be treated as identical. A church may experience an increase in attendance without achieving corresponding growth in discipleship or sustained membership, while a congregation may deepen the faith of its existing members without experiencing substantial numerical expansion. McGavran (1990), a major contributor to the modern church-growth movement, emphasises the importance of examining how people come to faith and become incorporated into Christian communities. From a biblical perspective, Acts 2:41–47 describes a community in which the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer and shared life accompanied the addition of new believers. This account suggests that church growth involves both the reception of the Christian message and the establishment of a community in which believers can continue to develop. Oral evangelism may therefore contribute to church growth by creating opportunities for people to hear the gospel, respond to its message and become involved in the life of a congregation.

Oral evangelism can contribute to church growth through several interconnected processes. Personal conversations allow church members to explain Christian beliefs in language that prospective converts can understand, respond to questions and establish relationships based on trust. House-to-house visitation may enable churches to reach households that do not regularly attend religious services, while open-air preaching and community evangelism can make the Christian message accessible to larger audiences. Testimonies of personal faith may also encourage listeners to consider the message being communicated, although their influence depends on the credibility of the speaker and the audience’s circumstances. The New Testament provides examples of different forms of verbal proclamation, including Philip’s conversation with the Ethiopian official in Acts 8:26–40 and Paul’s public and personal engagement with audiences in Acts 17. These accounts illustrate the use of spoken communication in explaining and interpreting the Christian message. In the Nigerian context, Uroko (2024) identifies public testimonies, spiritual experiences and other ministry practices among the factors associated with the attraction of people to Pentecostal churches. Although such findings do not establish that oral evangelism alone causes church growth, they support the need to examine how spoken communication, personal engagement and congregational activities may influence people’s decisions to attend, join or remain in a church.

The relationship between oral evangelism and church growth is particularly relevant to Pentecostal Christianity, which places considerable emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit, personal conversion, public proclamation, prayer and active participation in Christian witness. Pentecostal churches often employ a combination of personal evangelism, crusades, revival meetings, neighbourhood outreach, street preaching, visitation and testimony-sharing to communicate the gospel. These approaches may enable congregations to engage individuals in different social settings and invite them to participate in church programmes. However, Pentecostal church growth should not be explained through a single factor because leadership, organisational structures, community relationships, worship practices, discipleship and wider social conditions may also influence expansion. Adeboye (2007), in his historical analysis of the Redeemed Christian Church of God between 1952 and 2004, discusses the church’s development in relation to local and external influences and the role of leadership in sustaining institutional growth. In a subsequent account, Adeboye (2011) examines the historical roots, phases of expansion and strategies associated with the development of the same church. These studies demonstrate the value of examining evangelistic practices within the wider organisational and historical circumstances of Pentecostal congregations rather than assuming that one method produces the same results in every church.

In Nigeria, the expansion of Pentecostal Christianity has made evangelistic activities an important subject for research on religious participation and church development. Pentecostal congregations operate within diverse social and cultural environments, and their approaches to evangelism may differ according to leadership vision, denominational traditions, available resources and the needs of the communities they serve. Uroko (2024) examines the growth of Pentecostal churches in Nigeria and discusses factors associated with their ability to attract members, including testimonies, spiritual practices and messages addressing people’s concerns. Similarly, Adeboye (2011) traces the expansion of the Redeemed Christian Church of God through local and global influences and the organisational approaches adopted by its leadership. These studies provide evidence that Pentecostal growth is connected to a combination of spiritual, social and organisational processes. Nevertheless, their findings should not be interpreted as proof that oral evangelism independently accounts for numerical expansion. Rather, they establish a basis for investigating oral evangelism as one possible contributor to church growth, particularly through the ways congregations communicate the gospel, engage non-members and encourage participation in worship and discipleship. This issue is important for local churches seeking to assess the effectiveness of their outreach activities and to determine whether the people reached through evangelism subsequently become active members of the congregation.

The relevance of oral evangelism is also evident in local government areas such as Ofu in Kogi State, where churches serve communities with different social experiences, religious backgrounds and patterns of participation in Christian activities. The five Pentecostal churches selected for this study may differ in their membership size, leadership arrangements, frequency of outreach, methods of preaching and approaches to following up prospective converts. Some may conduct regular house-to-house evangelism, personal witnessing and community outreach, while others may depend more heavily on pulpit preaching, revival programmes or invitations to special services. These differences create an opportunity to investigate how oral evangelism is organised and how church members and leaders perceive its contribution to growth. However, the effectiveness of a particular approach cannot be assumed in advance, since the number of people reached does not necessarily correspond to the number who convert, attend regularly or remain active members. Research on the development of Nigerian Pentecostal churches, including Adeboye (2007) and Uroko (2024), provides a wider context for examining the relationship between evangelistic practices and church expansion. A focused investigation in Ofu Local Government Area is therefore necessary to understand how these issues manifest in the selected congregations and what local conditions may influence the outcomes of their oral evangelism efforts.

Despite the importance attached to evangelism in Christian ministry, the relationship between oral evangelism and church growth requires empirical examination within specific congregational settings. Churches may organise preaching campaigns, personal witnessing, house-to-house visitation and outreach programmes without systematically determining how these activities relate to new conversions, membership retention, regular attendance and participation in discipleship. In addition, challenges such as inadequate financial resources, limited participation by church members, fear of rejection, communication barriers and insufficient follow-up may affect the continuity and effectiveness of evangelistic efforts. Church growth may also be influenced by leadership, worship, pastoral care, community relationships and other factors, making it necessary to distinguish the contribution of oral evangelism from these wider influences. Odion (2025), in an appraisal of five Nigerian Pentecostal churches, discusses their historical development, evangelistic strategies, leadership and church-planting activities, illustrating the multifaceted nature of Pentecostal expansion. Nevertheless, findings from prominent churches cannot automatically explain the circumstances of congregations in Ofu Local Government Area. This study therefore examines the effect of oral evangelism on church growth in five selected Pentecostal churches in Ofu LGA, focusing on the methods used, their perceived contribution to growth, and the challenges that may affect their effectiveness.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Evangelism is a central responsibility of the Christian Church, and Pentecostal churches frequently organise activities intended to communicate the gospel and encourage people to become part of their congregations. Oral evangelism, through personal witnessing, house-to-house visitation, open-air preaching, community outreach and evangelistic meetings, is one of the principal means by which churches engage people beyond their existing membership. However, the implementation of these activities does not necessarily produce sustained church growth. Some individuals who hear the gospel may not respond, while others may attend a service temporarily without becoming committed members. In other cases, people may respond positively to evangelistic messages but fail to receive adequate pastoral care or discipleship after their initial contact with a congregation. Although church-growth scholarship emphasises the importance of understanding how people are reached and incorporated into Christian communities (McGavran, 1990), the relationship between particular evangelistic activities and measurable outcomes requires investigation. The problem addressed by this study is the need to establish how oral evangelism contributes to church growth in five selected Pentecostal churches in Ofu Local Government Area, Kogi State.

Another concern is that churches may differ in the methods, frequency and organisation of their oral evangelism activities. While some congregations may have structured outreach teams, regular visitation schedules and procedures for following up new converts, others may depend on occasional programmes or the efforts of individual members. Such differences could influence the number of people reached, their response to the gospel and their subsequent involvement in church activities. The effectiveness of oral evangelism may also be affected by the communication skills of evangelists, the relevance of their messages to local concerns, the attitude of community members and the availability of resources for outreach. Research on Nigerian Pentecostal Christianity has identified a range of factors associated with church attraction and expansion, including public testimonies, spiritual practices and organisational strategies (Adeboye, 2011; Uroko, 2024). Nevertheless, these factors do not establish the relative contribution of oral evangelism in the five congregations selected for this study. It is therefore necessary to examine the oral evangelism methods used by the selected churches and determine how their implementation is associated with church-growth outcomes.

The problem is further complicated by the fact that church growth involves more than the initial response of people who hear an evangelistic message. An increase in the number of people attending a special programme may not result in sustained membership, regular worship attendance or meaningful participation in discipleship. Similarly, the growth of a congregation may be influenced by pastoral care, leadership, worship experiences, community support and the transfer of members from other churches. These factors make it difficult to attribute changes in membership or attendance exclusively to oral evangelism without appropriate investigation. Adeboye (2007) demonstrates that the development of a major Nigerian Pentecostal church needs to be understood in relation to a combination of historical, local and organisational influences. Odion (2025) likewise examines evangelism and church planting alongside leadership and other influences in the trajectories of Nigerian Pentecostal churches. However, the circumstances of prominent national churches may differ from those of congregations operating in Ofu LGA. This creates a need for a local study that examines how oral evangelism is conducted and how it relates to conversions, attendance, membership and continued participation in the selected churches.

Furthermore, there is a practical need for evidence that can help church leaders identify the challenges limiting the effectiveness of oral evangelism and improve the planning of outreach activities. Without information about the methods used, the responses obtained and the experiences of church members involved in evangelism, leaders may find it difficult to determine which activities should be strengthened and what forms of follow-up are required. Potential obstacles such as limited funds, insufficient evangelistic training, fear of rejection, weak coordination and inadequate discipleship structures may reduce the effectiveness of outreach, but the extent to which these challenges occur in the selected churches must be established through research rather than assumed. While existing scholarship provides useful insight into the wider development of Pentecostal churches in Nigeria (Adeboye, 2011; Uroko, 2024), it does not by itself establish the relationship between oral evangelism and church growth in the five churches selected in Ofu LGA. The central problem of this study, therefore, is to investigate the effect of oral evangelism on church growth in the selected congregations and identify the methods, outcomes and challenges relevant to their local circumstances.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of oral evangelism on church growth in five selected Pentecostal churches in Ofu Local Government Area, Kogi State.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Identify the oral evangelism methods employed by the five selected Pentecostal churches in Ofu LGA.
2. Examine the contribution of oral evangelism to conversions, membership increase and church attendance in the selected churches.
3. Determine the relationship between the frequency and participation in oral evangelism activities and church growth in the selected churches.
4. Identify the challenges affecting the effective implementation of oral evangelism in the selected churches.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

1. What oral evangelism methods are employed by the five selected Pentecostal churches in Ofu LGA?
2. How does oral evangelism contribute to conversions, membership increase and church attendance in the selected churches?
3. What relationship exists between the frequency and participation in oral evangelism activities and church growth in the selected churches?
4. What challenges affect the effective implementation of oral evangelism in the selected churches?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis will be tested at the 0.05 level of significance:

H₀: There is no statistically significant relationship between participation in oral evangelism activities and church growth in five selected Pentecostal churches in Ofu Local Government Area, Kogi State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study may be useful to church leaders, pastors, evangelism coordinators, church members, theological institutions, Christian organisations and future researchers.

Church leaders and pastors: The study may provide information on how oral evangelism is organised and how it relates to membership, attendance and the incorporation of new converts into congregational life. The findings may assist church leaders in reviewing their evangelistic strategies, identifying areas requiring improvement and strengthening the relationship between outreach and discipleship.

Evangelism coordinators and ministry teams: The study may help evangelism coordinators assess the usefulness of methods such as personal witnessing, house-to-house visitation, open-air preaching and community outreach. It may also draw attention to the importance of planning, training, coordination and follow-up in the implementation of evangelistic programmes.

Church members: The study may encourage church members to understand their role in communicating the Christian message and supporting the integration of new believers into the congregation. It may also highlight the value of respectful communication, personal relationships and continued support for individuals who respond to evangelistic activities.

New converts and prospective church members: The findings may indirectly benefit new converts by drawing attention to the importance of follow-up, pastoral care, discipleship and participation in the church community. These processes may help individuals who respond to evangelism receive the support needed to develop their faith and become involved in congregational life.

Theological institutions and Christian organisations: The study may contribute to discussions about evangelism, mission, discipleship and church growth. Its findings may be useful in developing training programmes for evangelists, church workers and ministry leaders, particularly in relation to effective communication and the assessment of outreach activities.

Future researchers: The study may serve as a reference for subsequent research on oral evangelism and church growth in other local government areas, denominations and Christian communities. It may also provide a basis for comparative studies examining different evangelistic methods and their relationships with membership development, attendance and discipleship.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on the effect of oral evangelism on church growth in five selected Pentecostal churches in Ofu Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria.

In terms of content, the study covers the methods of oral evangelism used by the selected churches, including personal witnessing, house-to-house visitation, open-air preaching, community outreach and evangelistic meetings. It also examines the perceived contribution of these activities to conversions, membership increase, church attendance and the participation of new converts in congregational life. In addition, the study considers challenges that may affect oral evangelism, such as inadequate resources, limited participation, communication difficulties and insufficient follow-up.

The geographical scope is restricted to the five selected Pentecostal churches in Ofu LGA. The churches will be identified by their official names during the research process. Respondents may include pastors, evangelism coordinators, church workers and members involved in or familiar with the churches’ evangelistic activities. Where records are available and permission is granted, relevant membership and attendance information may be examined to supplement respondents’ accounts.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

The study may encounter certain limitations. First, the restriction to five selected Pentecostal churches in Ofu LGA may limit the generalisation of the findings to other churches in Kogi State or Nigeria. The results will therefore be interpreted primarily in relation to the selected congregations.

Second, some churches may not maintain complete records of evangelistic activities, conversions, membership changes or attendance. Where such records are unavailable, the researcher may have to rely partly on information provided by pastors, church workers and members. This may introduce differences in recall or reporting. To minimise this problem, the researcher will use clear questions and, where possible, compare responses from different categories of respondents.

Third, it may be difficult to establish that changes in church growth are caused exclusively by oral evangelism. Other factors, including pastoral leadership, worship programmes, discipleship, community relationships and the movement of members between churches, may also influence attendance and membership. The study will therefore distinguish between observed relationships and claims of direct causation.

Finally, some respondents may provide answers influenced by their religious convictions, personal experiences or desire to present their church positively. The researcher will explain the purpose of the study, encourage honest responses and treat the information collected confidentially. These measures may help improve the credibility of the findings.

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms

Oral Evangelism: The communication of the Christian gospel through spoken words, including personal witnessing, preaching, house-to-house visitation, open-air evangelism and conversations about faith.

Church Growth: The development of a congregation as reflected in indicators such as membership, attendance, conversions, the retention of new members and participation in discipleship and church activities.

Pentecostal Churches: Christian congregations that identify with Pentecostal beliefs and practices, including the work of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, personal conversion and active Christian witness.

Evangelism: The activity of communicating the Christian message with the intention of inviting people to faith in Jesus Christ and participation in Christian discipleship.

Personal Witnessing: The sharing of one’s Christian faith with another person through direct conversation and explanation of the gospel.

House-to-House Evangelism: An outreach method in which church members or evangelistic teams visit homes to communicate the Christian message and engage residents in conversation.

Open-Air Evangelism: The public proclamation of the Christian gospel in accessible outdoor locations or community spaces.

Conversion: A person’s response to the Christian message through professed faith in Jesus Christ. In this study, conversion will be considered alongside, but distinguished from, sustained church attendance and membership.

Membership Increase: A rise in the number of people recognised as members of a congregation over a specified period.

Ofu Local Government Area: The local government area in Kogi State, Nigeria, within which the five Pentecostal churches selected for the study are located.

1.10 Organisation of the Study

The study is organised into five chapters. Chapter One presents the introduction, background to the study, statement of the problem, objectives, research questions, research hypothesis, significance, scope, limitations and operational definitions of terms. Chapter Two reviews relevant literature on oral evangelism and church growth, including conceptual discussions, theoretical perspectives and empirical studies. Chapter Three explains the research methodology, including the research design, population, sample size, sampling techniques, research instruments, validity and reliability, data collection procedures and methods of data analysis. Chapter Four presents and analyses the data collected from respondents and discusses the findings in relation to the research questions, hypothesis and reviewed literature. Chapter Five presents the summary of findings, conclusion, recommendations and suggestions for further studies.

Project – Effect of Oral Evangelism on Church Growth. A Study of five Selected Pentecostal Churches in Ofu LGA