Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, is the largest national body of the Church of the Brethren in the world. With a vibrant history of nearly 100 years, EYN has placed a high emphasis on education, health, and agriculture. Today EYN continues to be ravaged by attacks from the militant group Boko Haram. Emergency assistance is being provided through the Emergency Disaster Fund. Go to the Nigeria crisis page for the latest information.
Before the destruction by insurgents, EYN had nearly a million people attending services and has carried out mission efforts in neighboring countries. The church’s ministries include its peace witness, aid to those affected by the crisis, leadership development, Women’s Fellowship (ZME), and youth programs. EYN is a member of the World Council of Churches and the Christian Association of Nigeria.
The Church of the Brethren in the US partners with EYN in a number of meaningful ways: Kulp Theological Seminary (KTS), the major training institution for Nigerian church leadership; and the church-sponsored Comprehensive Secondary School. In addition, the Theological Education by Extension (TEE) program trains more than 1,500 people in basic Christian education.
See the Global Food Initiative (GFI) page for more information on sponsored agricultural projects. See the history of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria pages here.
Nigeria News
Go to the EYNNews website for updates from EYN.
- Engage event offers opportunity to gather in support of global mission, resources are available
Engage: Global Mission Gathering will be held on the theme “United in Mission” on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Eastern time) at Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. This will be an evening celebrating the Global Church of the Brethren Communion. Hear firsthand from Brethren leaders and partners connected with the church in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Nigeria, and explore what it means to be united in mission.
- EDF grants support rebuilding in North Carolina and Western Maryland, aid Ukraine, Gaza and the West Bank, the DRC, Nigeria, Venezuela, Cuba
Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed the latest round of grants, made this spring through early summer, from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF). The grants support disaster relief efforts and aid in North Carolina, Western Maryland, Ukraine, Gaza and the West Bank, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Venezuela, and Cuba.
- International guests attend Annual Conference
International guests received a warm welcome from the 2026 Annual Conference. On Monday morning, June 29, during the opening business session Global Mission executive Sharon Brugger Norton introduced the guests from the stage. She noted that this might have been the first time that Annual Conference has welcomed international guests from Vietnam.
- EDF grants continue Nigeria Crisis Response, support Lebanese affected by war
Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to continued support for the Nigeria Crisis Response as well as to support people in Lebanon who are affected by the war between Israel and Hezbollah.
- EYN disaster relief staff, EYN Media share news of violence affecting the church in Nigeria
Two departments of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) have shared information about recent violence affecting members and congregations of EYN in northeast Nigeria.
- Global Food Initiative closes out 2025 with last set of grants for the year
The last set of grants for 2025 from the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Initiative (GFI) rounded out the year by supporting needs around the world, from Honduras to Rwanda, Nigeria to Ecuador, as well as local projects in Pennsylvania.
- The possibility of US military intervention abroad: Concern from a peace church perspective
On Nov. 20, I attended a congressional hearing on the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” Coming from a different meeting, I arrived 10 minutes before the start. The room was so full that there was a line down the hallway. This was the most interest in Nigeria that I’ve witnessed on Capitol Hill since the abduction of the schoolgirls from Chibok more than 10 years ago. I am hopeful to see this much attention on Nigeria, but the focus of this attention on potential military action is troubling.
- New executive director speaks at Global Mission Dinner
There were many languages spoken around the tables at the Global Mission Dinner held during Annual Conference, as international guests from several countries joined Sharon Brugger Norton, the new executive director of Global Mission for the Church of the Brethren, under the umbrella of Rev. 21:1-5, “The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
- Impact of extremism on Nigerian religious communities: Insight from DC hearing on policy and humanitarian aid
Zakaria Bulus spoke at a recent US Commission on International Religious Freedom hearing on governance in Nigeria, on the topic “Foundation for Securing Freedom of Religion or Belief.”
- EDF grants since start of year fund Nigeria Crisis Response and aid responses to wars in central Africa, Gaza, and Ukraine
Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to continued support for the Nigeria Crisis Response, to aid those affected in three central African countries by the warfare in Goma and the surrounding area, to aid those affected by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, and to aid those affected by the war in Ukraine, among others.