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| In October 2011, Nate conducted a mediation training workshop with all 25 Kulp Bible College Peace Club members, some of whom are pictured here acting out conflict scenarios. Photo by Nate and Jenn Hosler
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| Kulp Bible College Peace Club members perform a skit on cooperation, poverty, and peace at EYN No. 1 Church in Mubi in November. Photo by Nate and Jenn Hosler
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| In November, CAMPI interfaith peacebuilding group visited the Emir of Mubi (a traditional ruler) to inform him of their work and reinforce his support for their efforts. Photo by Nate and Jenn Hosler
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| Randy and Sandy Hosler (Nate's parents) visited Nate and Jenn in Nigeria. Here they are being introduced to the Peace Club members after an outreach event at EYN Mararaba Church near Kwarhi. Photo by Nate and Jenn Hosler
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| Nate and Jenn Hosler, with a Baobab tree in Sukur, on the Mandara Mountains along the Nigeria/Cameroon border. Photo by Nate and Jenn Hosler
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| The CAMPI Committee, along with new EYN Peace Programme staff, at the farewell meal given for Nate and Jenn Hosler as they finish their term in Nigeria. Photo by Nate and Jenn Hosler
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| The breaking and sharing of kola nuts has a symbolic meaning in traditional Nigerian culture. Photo by Nate and Jenn Hosler.
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Nigeria
Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN), the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, is the largest national body of Church of the Brethren in the world, with over 180,000 members. The energy and vitality of the membership has resulted in active evangelism and church planting efforts within Nigeria and recently to neighboring countries.
A key body within the life of the Nigerian church has been the ZME, or Women’s Fellowship. Most married women become members, and its active programs and presence are seen by many as “the backbone of the church.” ZME choirs are highly visible in congregations and are a central part of worship. Youth programs and numerous other ministries are also active in EYN.
To support the leadership needs of a growing church, pastoral training has been a continuing challenge, as 10-15 new congregations are formed annually. Invitations to the US church to send teachers for key assignments become areas for meaningful partnering in ministry:
- Kulp Bible College (KBC), near Mubi, the major training institution for Nigerian church leadership;
- The church-sponsored Comprehensive Secondary School, based on the west end of the KBC and EYN headquarters property; and
- Hillcrest School in Jos, a K-12 school started by the Church of the Brethren and now run by a consortium of missions, providing American-style education for the children of mission workers throughout West Africa and others seeking this educational preparation.
Additionally, leadership development grants from Global Mission Partnerships support over 200 people annually as they prepare for pastoral ministry, graduating 60-70 persons each year for service in the church. The Theological Education by Extension (TEE) program trains over 1,500 people annually in basic Christian education, and results in a more biblically grounded laity as well as prompting some graduates to consider pastoral ministry.
Active programs of wells, health care, and schools— which were central mission ventures since the beginning of mission work in Nigeria in 1923— have been handed over to the Nigerian church for direction and implementation. The Mason Technical School joined with a number of these ministries as the church adapted an integrated community development approach. These church outreach ministries continue to assist communities in some of the more isolated areas of northeast Nigeria.
An annual workcamp builds strong relationships between the Nigerian and US churches. The church in the US also provides staff and financial support through the Core Ministries Fund.
Read online newsletters
Updates from people working in Nigeria
Recent Newsline articles about Nigeria
- Hoslers conclude their service in Nigeria, report on peace work
(December 29, 2011)
Church of the Brethren mission workers Nathan and Jennifer Hosler have concluded their service in Nigeria and returned to the United States in mid-December. Following is an excerpt from their final newsletter reporting on their work at Kulp Bible College of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria).
- Newsline
(December 29, 2011)
The Dec. 29, 2011, issue of the Church of the Brethren Newsline offers the following stories: 1) GFCF gives grants to Rural Service Center, Brethren group in Congo; 2) EDF sends money to Thailand, Cambodia for flood response; 3) Brethren staff leave North Korea for Christmas break; 4) Hoslers conclude their service in Nigeria, report on peace work; 5) NCC condemns attack on worshipers in Nigeria; 6) BVS Europe welcomes largest number of volunteers since 2004; 7) Juniata takes action during Sandusky investigation; 8) Royer retires as manager of Global Food Crisis Fund; 9) Blevins resigns as advocacy officer, ecumenical peace coordinator; 10) World Interfaith Harmony Week is Feb. 1-7; 11) Peace meditation: Reflections from a BVS volunteer in Europe; 12) Brethren bits.
- NCC condemns attack on worshipers in Nigeria
(December 29, 2011)
The National Council of Churches (NCC) has condemned the Christmas Day bombing of a Roman Catholic Church in Madella, Nigeria, as “intrinsically evil.” Incoming NCC president Kathryn Mary Lohre joined Pope Benedict XVI and other religious leaders in denouncing the terrorist acts that claimed the lives of 39 people and injured hundreds.
- Hoslers conclude their service in Nigeria, report on peace work
(December 14, 2011)
Church of the Brethren mission workers Nathan and Jennifer Hosler are concluding their service in Nigeria and returning to the United States this week. Following is an excerpt from their final newsletter reporting on their work at Kulp Bible College of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria).
- Northeast Nigeria again experiences violence, EYN church burned
(November 8, 2011)
Northeast Nigeria has again suffered terrorist-type violence since Friday, when attacks blamed on the Boko Haram sect began. “Pray for peace and safety in Nigeria,” said a note of condolence from Jay Wittmeyer, executive director of the Church of the Brethren’s Global Mission and Service department. “Our condolences to the family of Jinatu Libra Wamdeo, general secretary of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, whose wife’s brother was killed at a road block on his way home from work in Sokoto State.” At least one church of EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria--has been burned.
- Nigerian Brethren make progress on interfaith peace work
(October 5, 2011)
A September update from Nathan and Jennifer Hosler, Church of the Brethren peace and reconciliation workers with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), highlights a group of Muslims and Christians who have been meeting together as an interfaith peace planning group under the name CAMPI, or Christians and Muslims for Peacebuilding Initiatives.
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