Mennonite Church Nigeria

Overview

The Mennonite Church of Nigeria is one of several churches with Anabaptist traditions in Nigeria, most of which are located in the southeastern region of the country. MCN is the largest denomination associated with Mennonite World Conference in Nigeria, including over 19,000 members and over 50 congregations.

History

Origins

Self-identified Mennonite churches emerged in Nigeria around 1958. Influenced by a The Mennonite Hour radio show broadcasts from Mennonite Mission Network, leaders of African Independent Churches contacted North American missionaries to request their help while these churches began to take on the Mennonite name. The first long-term missionaries were sent through Mennonite Mission Network in 1959. Edwin and Irene Weaver began working with this new conference, trying to encourage indigenization of the church. Rather than implementing western Mennonite practices in these churches, the Weavers worked with the AICs, trying to strengthen and unify structures already in place. This somewhat frustrated and alienated the Nigerian Mennonite churches who had wanted guidance about how to live into their new name.

Growth

Conferences

The Mennonite Church of Nigeria is primarily located in the Akwa Ibom State in southeastern Nigeria. Other Anabaptist groups in Nigeria include the Church of the Brethren and the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.

Mennonite Church Nigeria
Country	Nigeria
Members	19,000
Congregations	54
Presiding Officer	President Victor UmoAbasi